Proposed Tire Pressure Experiment

[Jay2TheRescue]

My truck came with 265/75 R16 tires from the factory. The tires on it now are rated at 35 PSI max, and I have run them at 40 since they were new. You really think an 80 PSI E rated tire would still give me the nice, smooth, quiet ride I'm accustomed to?

-Jay

EDIT: An E rated tire wouldn't be overkill on a 1500 series truck, would it?

[theholycow]

Mine's a 1500, and as I said, I remember that yours is slightly heavier. I am all about a smooth, comfortable ride. When I switched to E tires, it was with much trepidation due to the same concern...however, at the same pressure, I was unable to feel any difference. When I began airing them up to 80, I could feel it, slightly. However, with such tall and fat tires, such a heavy vehicle, and so much distance between the wheels (width and length), tire pressure has much less effect on ride than it does on a small car. Going from 44 to 80psi, I definitely noticed it, but it wasn't a bother.

Edit: A lot heavier (1000 pounds), if you're reporting your curb weight correctly in your vehicle profile.

[Jay2TheRescue]

I believe I subtracted 1,000 pounds (1/2 ton) from the GVWR posted inside the driver's door. Someday I will take it to a truck stop and weigh it.

-Jay

[COMP]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

I believe I subtracted 1,000 pounds (1/2 ton) from the GVWR posted inside the driver's door. Someday I will take it to a truck stop and weigh it.

-Jay

a tire is rated for weight what the door post says is BS if you know corner LBS you adjust from there

[Jay2TheRescue]

I double checked... I have 5500 pounds posted, which is what the vehicle title says is my empty weight.

-Jay

[bobc455]

Inspect the sidewalls (outside and inside) for cleanliness, you wouldn't want a blowout.

(I know, I know, a lot of people don't believe the "old tires" theories, but I've seen too many first-hand situations where old tires blow out)

-BC

[theholycow]

Go to get weighed at a truck stop, dump, gravel yard, or scrap metal place and find out once and for all what your truck actually weighs. Estimating using GVWR and the manual's load rating just doesn't work worth a damn.

I got an idea for how you can decide if high pressure tires will work for you...buy some used load range E tires. They don't need a lot of tread, just enough to last a little while until you decide...