Real time issue...Max Tire pressure??

[Zekester]

With the price of fuel, I'd like to run my tires at max pressure when I'm on the highway..I air down to 8-12 psi when I'm offroad, and used to normally run at 35 psi on the road...I have a longer highw driving trip planned tomorrow and would like to go higher...

I'm running 33 X 9.5 X 15 BFG Mud Terrains, which say max loading of 2510 lbs at 50 psi cold...should I/can I take them up to 50 psi for highway driving??

[Ziffdaddy]

I run my 31x9.50 Swamper TSLs at 47psi....works great.

[TLCHopII]

do the old chalk test. Air them up to where you think is good. Put nice wide line of chalk across the tread; maybe 3" or so. Drive a mile or so at highway speed Best performed on less traveled section of road with a wide shoulder. Look at the wear pattern. If it's even your close. Repeat until the contact patch does not extend all the way across the tread. Note the last pressure. Repeat, but air down until the wear pattern is on uneven: outside edges show more wear.

In the end you will have a decent operating range (maybe 5 to 10 psi). Then it's all about at what point in the range of pressures is the sweet spot. What pressure exhibits the best handling?

Oh, it's critical to load up your cruiser as if the trip was today. It is not uncommon for the front and rear tires to be aired to different pressures.

Best of luck! Be careful and enjoy the trip.

[PabloCruise]

refer to Hunter S Thompson - Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas...

[TLCHopII]

Originally Posted by PabloCruise

refer to Hunter S Thompson - Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas...

HElp me out here. I'm not familiar with the reference.

[Mr. Toad]

The max pressure is on the side casing of the tire.

[camcruiser13]

why not have a blow out and roll your vehicle and jepordize the safety of others on the road to save 3 bucks when you fill up.


makes sense to me

[Ziffdaddy]

Originally Posted by camcruiser13

why not have a blow out and roll your vehicle and jepordize the safety of others on the road to save 3 bucks when you fill up.


makes sense to me

....?

[PabloCruise]

Originally Posted by TLCHopII

HElp me out here. I'm not familiar with the reference.

Heh heh heh, there is a great account in the book of him pumping up the tires in a rental car to 90 PSI. The gas station attendant won't do it. HST is telling him they are experimental tires... Very funny read!

[IDave]

Originally Posted by camcruiser13

why not have a blow out and roll your vehicle and jepordize the safety of others on the road to save 3 bucks when you fill up.


makes sense to me

Originally Posted by Ziffdaddy

....?

While underinflated tires are certainly at risk to overheat, resulting in blowouts, overinflated tires are rigid and more susceptible to damage from hitting curbs or objects in the road, also possibly leading to blowout.

By inflating a tire to maximum rated pressure on a vehicle that doesn't need it, you may improve gas mileage, but you will also wear out the tire tread center faster, and you decrease the tire's traction capability by reducing it's footprint right off the bat (that's how your gas mileage improves). Maybe that's fine if you're rolling down a straight, smooth, dry, uncrowded highway, but when conditions become wet or icy, overinflation results in poorer steering and handling, and you become a hazard.

These are not minor points. You not only are a risk when you overinflate, but you can end up cutting your tire life in half. It's doubtful that the slight savings at the gas pump will make up for these issues.

(I, too, recommend the chalk method).





Incidentally, I also have BFG Mudders in 9.5x33x15, and since they don't make them any more, I wouldn't do anything to make them wear out faster!

[Zekester]

thanks for the advice....as far as the blow out line...I'm trying not to over inflate, that was the whole point in this...If I wanted to "have a blowout and be a hazard"...I would have just went to the max 50 psi and been done with it...

at 32, which i was running on the highway, I was getting uneven wear...yes on the now unavailable mudders....

I'll go the chalk method...

[IDave]

I realize you understand. I was responding to Ziffdaddy's "?"

How was the wear uneven? Edges or center? (Just curious)

[TLCHopII]

Originally Posted by PabloCruise

Heh heh heh, there is a great account in the book of him pumping up the tires in a rental car to 90 PSI. The gas station attendant won't do it. HST is telling him they are experimental tires... Very funny read!

Thanks for the clarifacation Pablo. I'll look it up!

iDave the chart is great! A picture is worth a thousand (er at least ac ouple paragraphs) words. Thanks

[Zekester]

Originally Posted by IDave

I realize you understand. I was responding to Ziffdaddy's "?"

How was the wear uneven? Edges or center? (Just curious)

The edges appeared to be wearing...so I thought I was underinflated...

I did the chalk method, ended up around 40 psi being the best,

I ran about 500 miles in two days, some on the 400 series highways, no problems, cept the sunburn waiting at the border, bikini top up on the way back : )

[IDave]

Thanks for the followup!