Tire PSI advice straight from BFGoodrich

[fooldall1]

This is the correct way to closely estimate tire pressure. And no ones going to get it perfect, just because there are so many variables. It's simply a factor of weight to psi, going off of the manuf ratio. I personally run my KO2s (load range E) at 38 front 40 rear, then I bump it up a few psi for long highway trips.

OP, considering the email mentions nothing about the intended vehicle for the tires to be run on, I am assuming that is their general Psi number they give out for retaining some carrying capacity while not sacrificing all ride comfort. Is Nicole a trusty source? Heck, I used to run my 3/4T pickup (same tires) with 50 psi front/ 55 psi back. Let's step back and think about this logically before calling us idiots.

Got mine installed at Discount, and this is pretty darn close to what they recommended as well. 40 All around. @gatormark91 what are you running now on yours?

 

[gatormark91]

E load tires are different animals than P metric tires. They are 10 ply equivalent LT tires, versus 6 for regular tires. I run mine at 45 normally, and aired them up to 50 towing our 5500 lb travel trailer. Ride is super smooth with no appreciable wear in a year.

We also own a 17 Tacoma TRD Off Road. The Tacoma guys hate E load BFGs because they run them at 32 pounds, then the tires run hot, that messes up the belts, then they complain BFGs are impossible to balance.

Gotta pay attention to what the manufacturer says about you tires, no matter what they are!

 

[Bull Moose 100]

Just to stir the pot!

What if it's below freezing? like 10 degrees F.

Over heating the tire is less of a threat and the side walls are stiffer because they are colder.

I have 275/70/R18 BFG KO2s and I found that 38 psi (which is what discount tire filled them to) was wayyyyy to harsh. I dropped them all to 32 psi and I am much happier with the ride quality. This is in subfreezing temps.

 

[bigandtall]

You guys are making me smile in this thread. Lots of good banter! I'm still shopping for tires and have been wondering about pressure because I can no longer find any P rated 285/75R16 tires. I used to run Cooper ATP from Discount tire in the P285/75R16 size (on my '08 FJ Cruiser) but now only find them in LT rating. I guess what I should learn here is that LT tires, in general, may need to run higher pressure than P rated tires. Yes? If I could find the P rated I'd go with that for the 285s I want.

 

[NMC_EXP]

I can no longer find any P rated 285/75R16 tires. ...... but now only find them in LT rating. I guess what I should learn here is that LT tires, in general, may need to run higher pressure than P rated tires. Yes? If I could find the P rated I'd go with that for the 285s I want.

I believe the 'P' designation relates to the so called metric tire size system. It does not relate to tire load rating. The last letter in a tire size is the load rating, e.g. LT235/85R16E with 'E' being the max load.

Based on looking at specs on Tirerack the 'LT' designation does not directly relate to the load rating for a specific size. When I had BFG and General 33 x 10.5 tires I believe that size was available in both E and C maybe D ratings. The metric sized LT tires seem to be limited to E ratings in all but the small sizes.

The size and load rating situation seems kinda murky to me. Probably a combination of over-lawyered due to lawsuits and over-accountant due to reducing production part numbers and inventory.

Can't forget the no end in sight increase in factory wheel diameters making 15" and 16" obsolete. For some reason the designers think everyone wants pimp wheels on pickup trucks and SUVs.

 

[Manhattan]

Data from a sample size of one:

I run my BFG KO2s - 275/70/18 - at 32 PSI. I have 51,000 miles on them (4-tire rotation) and the guy at the tire store said to expect at least 10,000 miles more after he inspected them this week. On a previous set of BFGs, I played with pressure - from 30-50 PSI - and tracked MPGs... could not discern a difference.

 

[landcruiserjoe]

I got 80,000 miles out of BFG AT KOs on my old 80 series and ran them at 35 PSI and they were even as can be rotated every 10,000 miles. I'm getting the same even wear on my 100 series at 38 psi all-around. Just my two cents

Maybe it’s a Florida thing , but my 80 did the same! Even treadwear, plenty of meat left overs for Jeep owners.

 

[Bull Moose 100]

I feel like my bfgs have gotten softer riding at 5k miles