Tire Presssure
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 132
Likes: 50
From: Ft Worth Tejas
Just because the OP said so, doesn't mean that is accurate, I believe he mis spoke in his post. I've NEVER seen a door sticker that said "MAX" PSI. Every one I've seen gives a suggested PSI for best ride. The tires on the other hand do have a max pressure listed on them. On cars or SUV's I tend to stay pretty close to the suggested PSI on the door sticker. On my trucks I usually run a little more air than suggested even when empty. When I know I'm going to be loaded heavy I'll add a little more. But I almost never get anywhere near the max listed on the tires.
A typical 1/2 ton truck will usually call for about 35 PSI on the door, and around 45-50 PSI max on the tire. I'll usually run 38 PSI for every day driving. I find I get a tad better fuel mileage and if I have to haul some weight unexpectedly I'm in a little better shape. If I know I'm going to be hauling heavy I'll go on up about another 5 PSI.
And while you have to really research to find it, there is a max pressure on wheels. Lots of guys will put E rated tires on a 1/2 ton truck that call for 80 PSI when loaded heavy. The wheels on most 1/2 tons are only rated for about 65 PSI.
A typical 1/2 ton truck will usually call for about 35 PSI on the door, and around 45-50 PSI max on the tire. I'll usually run 38 PSI for every day driving. I find I get a tad better fuel mileage and if I have to haul some weight unexpectedly I'm in a little better shape. If I know I'm going to be hauling heavy I'll go on up about another 5 PSI.
And while you have to really research to find it, there is a max pressure on wheels. Lots of guys will put E rated tires on a 1/2 ton truck that call for 80 PSI when loaded heavy. The wheels on most 1/2 tons are only rated for about 65 PSI.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 276
Likes: 111
From: Midwest
Even if you don't need that much psi based on the weight being carried? The Defender LTX's I have, max load on them is 3415# @ 80 psi, which comes to 13,660# total weight the tires can carry at max psi. I'll never get to that, so I don't run max psi. When I tow my 7800# car trailer I run 60 front, 65 rear. Same for the trailer tires. Their max load is 2830# @ 80 psi. That comes to 11,320# the trailer tires can carry, 3520# more than the trailer weighs loaded, so again, I do not run max psi on them
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 643
Likes: 201
From: Twin Cities, MN
My Toyo Open Country tires are rated for 80PSI. I normally run 40 day to day. 65 when towing the camper. No way to go to 80 psi.
Another thing to watch out for is what is the max PSI of the rim? Likely not an issue at the OP's 50ish PSI but if you have an E Load Range tire with 80PSI max, I would caution about actually going that high without looking into it.
Another thing to watch out for is what is the max PSI of the rim? Likely not an issue at the OP's 50ish PSI but if you have an E Load Range tire with 80PSI max, I would caution about actually going that high without looking into it.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 723
Likes: 245
Hi
My reason for max inflation is:
I am towing fully loaded. The tires are P-Rated 117T, not LTC,D or E. My wheel size is 20" All those factors push me to be at max. However, the best way to set your tire pressure is to check tire temps with an infrared thermometer. Make notes of temps changes at different pressure settings. Hopefully you read a PSI where at that PSI and higher the temperature difference is less than 10% However you need to develop a feel, for example if the sun is hitting directly hitting the tires etc. The important point is you don't want your tires building up heat, correct inflation for a given load is key.
My reason for max inflation is:
I am towing fully loaded. The tires are P-Rated 117T, not LTC,D or E. My wheel size is 20" All those factors push me to be at max. However, the best way to set your tire pressure is to check tire temps with an infrared thermometer. Make notes of temps changes at different pressure settings. Hopefully you read a PSI where at that PSI and higher the temperature difference is less than 10% However you need to develop a feel, for example if the sun is hitting directly hitting the tires etc. The important point is you don't want your tires building up heat, correct inflation for a given load is key.
