Author	[Modern View]
willys53allis 09-13-2012 13:25:08 204.9.216.10 Report to Moderator	having a discussions with the wife, i like to inflate tires to a pound or two below max pressure printed on the tire. She says it has to be inflated to whats on the door. What do you guys do? tire or door? [Reply]   [No Email]
Mel in SW Iowa 09-14-2012 19:38:54 75.105.60.143 Report to Moderator	Re: tires are tools too in reply to willys53allis, 09-13-2012 13:25:08   Neither, on my dually pickup that weighs 9,400 with its daily load. 215x85-16E's say 80psi on sidewalls. I use a Raytech infrared temperature gun to scan across the tread and adjust air pressure until it reads the same all across the scan immediately after a 30+ minute drive at interstate speed. This method gives me 76-78# across the steer tires (varies according to road crown and brand of tire), and 50psi on the duals. It also gives me the best tire mileage and most even wear of any method I have tried. I also used this method on an OTR semi several years ago. The owner had about 90# in the steers and 100# in the drivers. The drivers scanned ok, but the steers, I had to increase clear up to 107# to get a uniform temp scan. Steer tires lasted longer, but you could feel more roadshock through the steering wheel, a fair trade to me. [Reply]  [No Email]
jose bagge 09-14-2012 11:44:48 69.174.87.20 Report to Moderator	Re: tires are tools too in reply to willys53allis, 09-13-2012 13:25:08   I sell about 10,000 tires a month and talk with manufacturer reps almost weekly, and I personally do exactly what you do : I run my trucks about 3 psi below the maximum psi off the side of the tire. Yep, it's absolutely NOT what either the tire or vehicle manufacturer suggests, but it gives absolutely the best life and wet/dry traction- if you can stand the harsh ride. Also helps prevent impact seperations. I also see thousands of scrap tires a month: I haven't identified a scrap tire prematurely worn out due to over inflation in probably 15 years. Always: 1- alignment wear, usually outside edge from toe; 2- under inflation, 3- sidewall impact breaks from rim pinch on under inflated tires. Manufacturer won't endorse it, but I say "air 'em up" [Reply]  [No Email]
RodInNS 09-15-2012 03:36:40 216.118.158.123 Report to Moderator	Re: tires are tools too in reply to jose bagge, 09-14-2012 11:44:48   I've got a stack of them around here that are worn out from over inflation... Not that I really disagree with you about the rest of what you said, but they do wear from over inflating too much. It's just an occupational hazard on my trucks. I need to keep them aired up to carry loads but it's not carrying a heavy load all of the time... so then the tire is wearing. Rotating helps some but doesn't fix everything. Rod [Reply]  [No Email]
showcrop 09-15-2012 05:29:57 75.67.231.80 Report to Moderator	Re: tires are tools too in reply to RodInNS, 09-15-2012 03:36:40   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see A stack? I thought you operated a dairy farm. Don't you mean fifty stacks? LOL, or do you have upright silos? [Reply]  [No Email]
RodInNS 09-15-2012 09:57:34 216.118.158.123 Report to Moderator	Re: tires are tools too in reply to showcrop, 09-15-2012 05:29:57   I was only refering to my own take offs.... but yes, I have two bunkers. Thousands upon thousands of tires around here. Lots of them with the centers worn off too. Equally as many with the sidewalls cut or other underinflation signs as he suggested tho... Rod [Reply]  [No Email]
showcrop 09-14-2012 05:13:29 75.67.231.80 Report to Moderator	Re: tires are tools too in reply to willys53allis, 09-13-2012 13:25:08   I run two pounds over on the front to support the engine and because over the life of the tires the edges are going to be wearing a little more than the middle for part of the time due to misalignment. [Reply]  [No Email]
MPK 09-13-2012 19:13:27 66.60.215.63 Report to Moderator	Re: tires are tools too in reply to willys53allis, 09-13-2012 13:25:08   I try to keep 2 to 3 pounds over the number on the door post. Gives more tread life. Just a little rougher ride. [Reply]  [No Email]
Mike M 09-13-2012 14:01:28 24.140.0.120 Report to Moderator	Re: tires are tools too in reply to willys53allis, 09-13-2012 13:25:08   I don't do either. I run 36 or sometimes 40 in the cars and small suv. My load range E truck tires I would run like 60 to 65 ? if not planning on hauling to help it ride better and not wear out the tire centers. If I had a load planned I'd pump them up to the max. which I think was 80 [Reply]  [No Email]
jackinok 09-13-2012 13:55:40 162.58.82.136 Report to Moderator	Re: tires are tools too in reply to willys53allis, 09-13-2012 13:25:08   what I do,factory tires whats on the door,aftermarket,whats on the tire.doesnt make much sense to me to take off 4 ply tires,replace them with six or eight plys and run them half inflated. [Reply]  [No Email]
RodInNS 09-13-2012 13:53:16 216.118.158.123 Report to Moderator	Re: tires are tools too in reply to willys53allis, 09-13-2012 13:25:08   You inflate it to the load you're carrying. The tag on the door post will be correct for a passenger vehicle within reason. If you're dealing with a light truck that pressure would be nothing more than a guide. Could need more, mabey less. Depends on how they wear... Rod [Reply]  [No Email]
bjb in Tx from Ne 09-13-2012 13:39:58 147.1.234.165 Report to Moderator	Re: tires are tools too in reply to willys53allis, 09-13-2012 13:25:08   What is on the door no more no less. You need to leave room for expansion of the air in the tire. Friend of mine filled hers to the max b/c her father said to and I think she had a double blowout in a parking lot a short time later. [Reply]  [No Email]
GUIDO 09-13-2012 13:32:57 71.168.199.69 Report to Moderator	Re: tires are tools too in reply to willys53allis, 09-13-2012 13:25:08   Hello Willys53allis, Your wife is right!. underinflated tire is one of the leading causes of sideall separation. If you laod the vehicle to the max then that would not be enough. Max load and max air pressure?, check it! its on the tire. Guido. [Reply]  [No Email]
Fred from MO 09-14-2012 06:51:01 69.55.155.226 Report to Moderator	Re: tires are tools too in reply to GUIDO, 09-13-2012 13:32:57   I run slightly higher than whats on the tire. As the tire fills with air the contact area on the sides lift, providing slightly less contact with the road. I can get 1 to 2 MPG better on my 3/4 ton truck over time this way. However I say this with caution. By doing slightly over inflation combined with wet road surfaces can be dangerous. My theory is though with the price of gas, 1 to 2 MPH over norm saves me in the long run at the cost of tires. However tires aint getting any cheaper so its becoming more of a wash. I would not do this to a tire that has dry rot showing on the sidewalls. [Reply]  [No Email]
GUIDO 09-14-2012 11:22:18 71.168.199.69 Report to Moderator	Re: tires are tools too in reply to Fred from MO, 09-14-2012 06:51:01   Hello Frec From MO, I have been doing that for years. Last set 60K with 4# above the door specs, even though I run empty most of the time. Better fuel mileage for me as well. Guido. [Reply]  [No Email]