Load Range E Tire Pressure

[Lusson]

Just put some load range E tires on my Ford Expedition. Pulling a 36' travel trailer and seeing what the recommended PSI for them. Both when not pulling a trailer and when pulling the camper. Right now got them at 50psi with day to day driving. Says they can be inflated to 80psi on the side walls.

[007matman]

Most your manufacturers have a chart based on load and make/model.

Otherwise, start with what's on the truck and do the chalk test.

[lbrjet]

Correct pressure is determined by tire size and load. I would bump the rear up to 65 when towing until you can run it across the scales and see what the axle weights are.

[Thomas ho]

i run tire pressure that is on door of vehicle . towing , not towing ,etc. loaded heavy , not heavy. chev. 2500 ltz, duramax, factory curt ball.29 ft. toyhauler, can am slyder in box, and a 17.5 boat, in tow. perfect tire wear this truck and my worthless 2008 ford f250 6.4 turbo diesel. michelin tires on both .

[JACA]

Originally Posted by 007matman

Most your manufacturers have a chart based on load and make/model.

Otherwise, start with what's on the truck and do the chalk test.

Totally agree with using your specific tire manufacturer's load/inflation chart. Once you change out your tires from the OEM tires that the factory put on, the sticker on the drivers side door jamb is no longer accurate. I'm not saying it's no good - just that different tire sizes and load ratings will change the actual recommended tire pressures. You probably won't go wrong using the sticker PSI recommendations, but you could also do some research and do it right.

For example, the sticker on my daily driver SUV says 35PSI all around - for the stock tire size of P275/70R16, Load Index 114 - Max load is 2601 lbs@44PSI. However, years ago, I replaced the stock tires with LT285/75R16, Load Index 126, Load Range E - Max load is 3750 lbs@80PSI.

I typically haul a lot of cargo and/or pull a trailer with this truck. So, it would not be good to simply put 35PSI in those tires. The Bridgestone load/inflation table/chart tells me that, based on my actual vehicle/axle weights, I should put 44PSI in my tires. I have also used the chalk test to confirm.

This takes a little bit of research, but it will make your tires last a long time, and have a comfortable and safe ride. Using this method, I get over 100,000 miles from a set of tires (Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo). BTW, I have over 325,000 miles on my truck.

[Lusson]

Yeah I've had people say do what is on the door tag. But my Expedition uses normally Highway tires and tells me to only inflate to 35psi which I know changing to Load Range E tires that isn't gonna work.

I did go over the scale on my old set of tires and I was at 3400 in the front axle and 4400 on the rear axle. Thinking that may not change much but getting the camper tonight and may weigh it again to double check.

Right now running 50psi and may bump up to 65psi.

[JACA]

Originally Posted by Lusson

Yeah I've had people say do what is on the door tag. But my Expedition uses normally Highway tires and tells me to only inflate to 35psi which I know changing to Load Range E tires that isn't gonna work.

I did go over the scale on my old set of tires and I was at 3400 in the front axle and 4400 on the rear axle. Thinking that may not change much but getting the camper tonight and may weigh it again to double check.

Right now running 50psi and may bump up to 65psi.

What make/model/size tires do you have? Should be able to pull up the manufacturer's load/inflation table for those, and use your front/rear axle weights to find the correct tire pressures.

[Lusson]

Originally Posted by JACA

What make/model/size tires do you have? Should be able to pull up the manufacturer's load/inflation table for those, and use your front/rear axle weights to find the correct tire pressures.

Michelin Defender LT275/65R18E D LTX

[phillyg]

Using the door sticker as a starting point is a good idea. That tire can carry 3417lbs x 2 at 80psi, so you need to weigh the truck rear axle, loaded and unloaded to determine what psi you should use. Of course, you should never exceed your RAWR.

[Lusson]

Originally Posted by phillyg

Using the door sticker as a starting point is a good idea. That tire can carry 3417lbs x 2 at 80psi, so you need to weigh the truck rear axle, loaded and unloaded to determine what psi you should use. Of course, you should never exceed your RAWR.

3480 Axle Weight for both front and rear Unloaded

Loaded with 7000lbs Travel Trailer and WDH
Front Axle 3480lbs
Rear Axle 4310lbs

[007matman]

In my experience, the load range "E" tires have stiffer sidewalls and therefore will likely require less PSI.

Check the tire chart to see what the manufacturer recommends. Then honestly not it was me I'd check it with the chalk test and fine tune from there.

Also, I'd get the trailer hooked up and run the chalk test again at full load.

I once bought a set of new tires for my Escalade and then embarked on a 4000 mile trip. Half way through I noticed edge wear on the new tires. Turns out that max sidewall pressure was required when I was towing to prevent it. Yes, they were "P" tires and not LT's like you have here so that'll be a favor for you here as well. I'm betting it's higher than your BAU use. Probably not max sidewall.

[Lusson]

Yes plan on doing the Chalk test tonight and see how it rolls with the camper hooked up. Starting at 75psi and going down from there.

[RET.LEO]

Originally Posted by Lusson

Michelin Defender LT275/65R18E D LTX

Call Michelin with the TV's axle weights and they will tell u on the phone.....good people, great tires!

[lbrjet]

At 50 you are rated at a 5K axle weight and at 65 a 6K axle weight. I wouldn't use any more than 60 if they were my tires.

[Trawlerphil]

Here's what I got back from Michelin on my load range E tires:
Michelin Tire Pressures
For daily driving with tire size LT275/65R20 tires on your Tundra, we recommend 40 psi front and 45 psi rear. Pressures should be checked when the tires are cold.

Additional psi would be calculated depending on the amount of tongue weight added to the vehicle when towing the trailer. The rear axle would need to be weighed without the trailer attached and with the trailer attached then adjust the psi accordingly. Following is the load/psi chart for tire size LT275/65R20 LRE:

2080 lbs @ 35 psi
2280 lbs @ 40 psi
2475 lbs @ 45 psi
2680 lbs @ 50 psi
2850 lbs @ 55 psi
3030 lbs @ 60 psi
3195 lbs @ 65 psi
3375 lbs @ 70 psi
3540 lbs @ 75 psi
3750 lbs @ 80 psi

[Lusson]

Originally Posted by Trawlerphil

Here's what I got back from Michelin on my load range E tires:
Michelin Tire Pressures
For daily driving with tire size LT275/65R20 tires on your Tundra, we recommend 40 psi front and 45 psi rear. Pressures should be checked when the tires are cold.

Additional psi would be calculated depending on the amount of tongue weight added to the vehicle when towing the trailer. The rear axle would need to be weighed without the trailer attached and with the trailer attached then adjust the psi accordingly. Following is the load/psi chart for tire size LT275/65R20 LRE:

2080 lbs @ 35 psi
2280 lbs @ 40 psi
2475 lbs @ 45 psi
2680 lbs @ 50 psi
2850 lbs @ 55 psi
3030 lbs @ 60 psi
3195 lbs @ 65 psi
3375 lbs @ 70 psi
3540 lbs @ 75 psi
3750 lbs @ 80 psi

So in my setup it is 3340lbs rear Axle with no trailer and 4400lbs rear Axle with the trailer. So I'm not sure what you would recommend then with your chart above.

[Trawlerphil]

Drop a dime on Michelin--You might need a higher load range...

[lbrjet]

His chart does not apply to your tires.

[Lins]

Originally Posted by lbrjet

His chart does not apply to your tires.

Most charts are identical. You can thank physics.

[Lins]

Originally Posted by Lusson

So in my setup it is 3340lbs rear Axle with no trailer and 4400lbs rear Axle with the trailer. So I'm not sure what you would recommend then with your chart above.

4400lbs/2=2200 lbs per tire when towing. You need to find your tire size in the load and inflation chart to see what PSI is needed for your tire size and weight loading.