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10-22-2014, 06:22 PM
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#1
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NC
Posts: 234
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Towing and tire pressure
Hi everyone,
I'm towing an ST270BH with my Tundra 5.7l.
Up until now I've just left the tire pressure on all four tires consistent at around 30psi, this is what they set them at when I get it serviced at Toyota.
But I'm wondering, should I increase the tire pressure in the rear tires when towing? If so, by how much?
The sidewall on the tire says the pressure shouldn't exceed 50psi.
Lastly, my Tundra, has a 'low tire pressure' indicator light. When it gets cold out the light goes on. I had assumed the light was coming on because the temp was dropping outside. As I said, all four tires are at 30psi.
What do you all think?
Thanks,
mike
__________________
Toyota Tundra 2014 CM 5.7L
Sunset Trail 2014 ST270BH
Equalizer 1000/10000
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10-22-2014, 06:48 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,165
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If you are getting sway or a wishy washy feeling when towing, then I think you should raise the tire pressure.
You might be pleasantly surprised how much better your towing experience will be.
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10-22-2014, 06:52 PM
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#3
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,508
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Your door sticker should state what the rear axle weight capacity (GAWR) is and what PSI is required for that capacity. If you are anywhere near the rear GAWR, then tires should be at that PSI. If the tires are a higher capacity than what was originally on the truck, and also higher PSI rating, then inflate the rear tires to whatever PSI you prefer as long as it is higher than the door sticker and not higher than the tire rating. But generally, you will get less sway with stiffer rear tires and less rolling resistance.
It is normal for lower temps to cause lower tire pressures. But while that may be OK for normal driving, for towing you should add air so that when cold, the tire PSIs are at the numbers indicated on the door sticker. You should not begin towing with tire pressures low enough to trigger the tire monitor.
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Larry Day
Texas Baptist Men-Retiree Builders member since '01
13 Silverado 3500HD D/A, 2wd CCSB srw, custom RKI bed
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https://www.picturetrail.com/dayle1
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10-22-2014, 06:59 PM
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#4
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Belle River , Ontario
Posts: 1,753
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lloyd
If you are getting sway or a wishy washy feeling when towing, then I think you should raise the tire pressure.
You might be pleasantly surprised how much better your towing experience will be.
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When towing , put air pressure at the max that is on the side of the tire. Stops the swaying..
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Wayne --Belle River (Windsor), Ontario
2013 Sunset Trail Reserve 25RB..(just sold it)
2015 White Chev Silverado 2500HD 4x4 (6.0 l gasser)
2003 Mountain Star 890SBRX Truck Camper
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10-22-2014, 07:31 PM
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#5
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NC
Posts: 234
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Thanks everyone. Excellent advice.
__________________
Toyota Tundra 2014 CM 5.7L
Sunset Trail 2014 ST270BH
Equalizer 1000/10000
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10-22-2014, 08:12 PM
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#6
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 581
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I would add that running your tire pressure too low is a leading contributor to premature tire failure. I run my Load Range E Michelins at 75 to 80 psi when I'm towing. (Tire sidewall says "inflate to 80 psi cold.") Running lower than rated tire pressure, especially when towing, causes excessive heat buildup, which in turn could lead to tire failure.
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Mike in Tennessee
2007 Cruiser 30QB
2008 Ford F250 Lariat 4x4 6.4 Powerstroke
Valley 16K slider
Ride-Rite air bags
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10-22-2014, 08:47 PM
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#7
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: La.
Posts: 200
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The sticker in my 2012 Crewmax with 275/65 18's specify 30psi on the front and 33 in the back.
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10-23-2014, 09:18 AM
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#9
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NC
Posts: 234
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Tire pressure
Ok, so now I'm more confused.
The markings on my tire say they are Michelan 305 50R20
The sticker in my door says something for tires that are P255/70R18.
Nothing on the door stickers say anything about tire pressure while towing.
The 50 r20 tires came with the truck but they were an add-on I think. I didn't add them on, they were on the truck when I bought them.
I tried to find tire inflation pressure guides online for these tires but didn't have any luck.
Right now they are all at 32psi.
I was going to put the back tires at 40-45 psi for towing (max cold pressure on tire says 50psi)
I'm not sure if I should change the front tire pressure. What do you think? Just change the back or both front and back?
__________________
Toyota Tundra 2014 CM 5.7L
Sunset Trail 2014 ST270BH
Equalizer 1000/10000
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10-23-2014, 10:00 AM
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#10
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 581
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I inflate all my tires to the same pressure. If you aren't towing, 35 psi would probably be fine for your tires. However, if I were you I would inflate to the higher end of that 50 psi when towing. (45 to 50 psi cold.) That is just my two cents.
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Mike in Tennessee
2007 Cruiser 30QB
2008 Ford F250 Lariat 4x4 6.4 Powerstroke
Valley 16K slider
Ride-Rite air bags
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10-23-2014, 10:33 AM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,165
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I agree with Mike.
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10-23-2014, 10:57 AM
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#12
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DFW, TexUS
Posts: 1,032
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Ah, you bought your truck used !!!
If those are not the stock tires, then the tire placard is useless
what exactly are your michelins ?
Do a google search or look on tirerack for inflation pressures...
but agree, without any other info I would put 45 or 50 all around since you don't know their load ratings or your weights ...
The side of your tires should say what the rating is @ that 50 psi --- what is it ?
ASSume they are all the same tire? with the same ratings ?
http://www.michelintruck.com/referen...lation-tables/
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10-23-2014, 11:32 AM
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#13
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NC
Posts: 234
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Yeah, I'm going to go with 45psi in all 4.
Johnboytoo -- I bought the truck new, not used. The tires came with it. I guess it was an upgrade... nicer tires, nicer rims... you know.
The tires say they are 50 r20.
I checked that chart but couldn't find my tires. Also wasn't sure what my wheel diameter was but I'm thinking it's 20 because of the 'r20' in the 50 r20.
__________________
Toyota Tundra 2014 CM 5.7L
Sunset Trail 2014 ST270BH
Equalizer 1000/10000
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10-23-2014, 01:06 PM
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#14
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 24
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You should keep all 4 tires at the same air pressure if it says u can go to 50 psi i would keep pressure between 45 and 50 on rear tires and not less than a 5 pound difference in front when towing. Not sure what ply tires you run but i dont run anything but 10 ply especially for towing tires dont heat up as much and last a lot longer definetly worth extra cost.
Al
2014 Redwood 38 rl
2014 Dodge deisel dually
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10-23-2014, 01:10 PM
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#15
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 5,728
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From the Michelin site
Quote:
Max Load, Single
(lb @ PSI)
2806@50
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Lehighton, Pennsylvania
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10-23-2014, 01:57 PM
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#16
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: La.
Posts: 200
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Looks like someone replaced the original tires and rims. I would inflate to the highest psi on the tire sidewall, should be 50 per Michelin website.
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10-23-2014, 03:34 PM
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#17
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: BC
Posts: 34
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Yes you are on the right track, You need to set them CLOSE the max on the sidewall while towing and put them back down when you are not. 35 sounds good when unloaded. As other have said tire weight capacites are determined by how much air is in them. They WILL prematurly fail if you overload them without enough air to compensate, also it will Tow much better and less sway.
As for your front tire question the answers is simple; do you have a weight distribution hitch? If so then you need to increase the front tires also, maybe not as drastic but the hitch is transfering weight to your FRONT tires as well so without weighing each axle with and without a trailer attached I usually pump the fronts up 10 to 15 psi as well.
Hope this helps clear it up..
Ron
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10-24-2014, 02:34 PM
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#18
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,012
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I would go back to the dealer and ask them to tell you the correct inflation. They changed the tires from stock.
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Clif and Millie
Ozzie (half a dog tall & 2 dogs long)
Mabank, TX
2009 Ford Lariat F350 SRW CC Diesel
2013 Cruiser CF305SK Patriot Edition
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10-24-2014, 03:20 PM
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#19
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: PA
Posts: 177
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I have a tundra also I was running 30 lbs and it just didn't seem right I just went to 40. and I will be trying that soon. I will let you know.
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John and Julie
Dubois, PA
2015 Zinger ZT31SB- 2008 Toyota Tundra
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10-24-2014, 04:35 PM
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#20
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Iowa
Posts: 234
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Quote:
Originally Posted by avvidclif
I would go back to the dealer and ask them to tell you the correct inflation. They changed the tires from stock.
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Most dealerships do not know enough to give accurate advice when considering towing. I would find the complete tire information on the side of the tire. If I had to I would look on the inside of the tire if you can't find it on the outside. Should be close to the dot marking.
The tire size most likely starts with a p, then 3 numbers, a back slash, 2 more numbers then the r20.
so something like Pxxx/xxR20.
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