Towing with F150 Tire Air Pressure

[BGoose]

Anyone pulling TT with a Ford F150. Looking if anyone can recommend tire air pressures.

[67L48]

Yes. But, it depends on the pressure and weight ratings of your tires.

I'll run mine around 70 psi on my E rated LT tires ... max is 80 psi for those tires. Yours may be different.

[bikendan]

Max PSI in mine.

[5picker]

As mentioned, we can't tell you much without knowing some specifics.
You are asking too broad a brush stroke question.

P-series tires (usually factory installed) and LT tires are totally different and consequently, PSI will be different.

On my F-150's with LT tires (Michelin) I usually run them somewhere between 50-70 PSI depending on the weight of the load towed. Most get rid of the P-series tires.

[B and B]

If using P Series tire inflate to the Maximum Tire Manufacturers specifications. This will increase capacity and stiffen the sloppy P Series sidewalks. As 67L48 stated LT tires should be close to Max rating. I ran 70 in them for towing with my F 150 and 11,000 lb Rockwood.

[modemem]

I tow with air pressure at max PSI listed on the F-150 and the travel trailer.

[clr]

cannot answer this question without knowing what type of tires the F150 is equipped with. one half ton PU's come with different types of tires. Do you have LT tires or P metric? There is a vast difference in the required pressures.

[tragusa3]

Moving to an E rated tire and 70'ish pounds (45 not towing) has done wonders for stability on my rig. I would suggest that when you make a tire change. Until then, go with the maximum allowed.

[270S]

All of you must have dualies or F350. 450. 550, ...'

I have a GNC Sierra 1500 (should be nearly similar to Ford F150). Normal max pressure (on door label & owners manual) is 35 PSI. The tires are rated at 2200 pounds each @ 44 PSI. But that is a level never reached - at least never should be. When the TT was fully loaded it was 6300 pounds and the TV was 5700 pounds for a total of 12,000 - max permissible!

With the extra weight on the hitch, I used an adjusted amount between the two. I ran the rears at 38 and the fronts at 36 in cooler fall, winter, spring temps. If in Florida much warmer summer conditions, I used 36/37 to ensure I never came close to the max of 44, even after the tires were warmed up by the road.

Read your manual, do not listen to road talk!

[BGoose]

Thanks to everyone's response. I know it's not the best situation however I have 18" P rated tires on my truck. I just looked at my tires and its states that max load is 2337lbs. at a max psi of 51. I have been running only 38 when towing however now based on the response of this thread I will be increasing the pressures to the max.

Thanks everyone.

[bikendan]

As a former tireman, tread wear from underinflation is WAY more common than overinflation.

I pay attention to what the tire is rated for, not what a vehicle sticker says.

[BigH]

Originally Posted by 270S

All of you must have dualies or F350. 450. 550, ...'

I have a GNC Sierra 1500 (should be nearly similar to Ford F150). Normal max pressure (on door label & owners manual) is 35 PSI. The tires are rated at 2200 pounds each @ 44 PSI. But that is a level never reached - at least never should be. When the TT was fully loaded it was 6300 pounds and the TV was 5700 pounds for a total of 12,000 - max permissible!

With the extra weight on the hitch, I used an adjusted amount between the two. I ran the rears at 38 and the fronts at 36 in cooler fall, winter, spring temps. If in Florida much warmer summer conditions, I used 36/37 to ensure I never came close to the max of 44, even after the tires were warmed up by the road.

Read your manual, do not listen to road talk!

Typically the F150 has better tires on it than come on the GM 1500 trucks right from the factory and they will accept higher tire pressure.

The max of 44 you speak of is cold tire pressure...as in the measured pressure before you drive the vehicle at whatever temperature it happens to be outside. I have had several (5) Chevy 1500 trucks with I don't know how many miles towing...None of them handled better with less than the max cold tire pressure (as stated on the tire) while loaded and that especially applies to the low pressure (44psi) crappy tires that come on the truck.

I suggest you research this a little more and go try for yourself.

[DougW]

Yep, read your manual. Tire pressures are to be set cold, go ahead and put them at MAX if your load calls for it, the pressure may increase a little due to heat but they will still be within safety range.

I put air in that I estimate is proper for the load being carried, I monitor the temp of the tires. If they are running hot and the pressure is less than the max listed on the tire sidewall, put in more air, tires heat because they flex while rotating. The greater the amount of flex, the higher the heat, the higher the heat the more likely they will fail.

[tragusa3]

BGoose, as you stated, move up to 51 pounds and you should notice a bit stiffer handling. Nothing crazy different, but enough to notice.

[itat]

I agree with max. indicated on the tires for P tires. If your trailer is above 5000#, switch to LT tires as soon as you can afford it or when you need new tires. With LT tires, download a tire inflation guide and set the pressure to handle more than the weight on each tire when you’re hitched up and fully loaded for camping.

[itat]

Originally Posted by tragusa3

BGoose, as you stated, move up to 51 pounds and you should notice a bit stiffer handling. Nothing crazy different, but enough to notice.

If the tires are only rated for 44 psi when cold, do not inflate them to 51 psi when cold.

[tragusa3]

I must have misread. I thought he stated the max rating at 51psi? Maybe I was wrong.

[itat]

Originally Posted by tragusa3

I must have misread. I thought he stated the max rating at 51psi? Maybe I was wrong.

My mistake. You are correct that he said his tires indicate a max pressure of 51 psi. I’ve never seen that. P tires are typically max 44 psi.

[clarkbre]

I know you are all wiser than the tire engineers but P rated tires should be inflated to 35 psi.

Set it at 35 and enjoy the ride.

Here's my source: Tire Load Rating Info

[itat]

Originally Posted by clarkbre

I know you are all wiser than the tire engineers but P rated tires should be inflated to 35 psi.

Set it at 35 and enjoy the ride.

Here's my source: Tire Load Rating Info

Max pressure for a tire is molded into the sidewall. That’s what the wise tire engineers say it can handle.