Tire Pressures.....

[tuckertrucker]

Hi people,
Just a quickie on tire pressures...
I've just got back on a set of Desert Duelers cause I liked them, but its been a while since I last ran with them and cant remember what I used to pump them too.
The guys at tire power say 28R/32F but the side wall says 50. And they said 32 about the other 3 different tires I've been using in the past while. So is 32 just a standard and every tire might be a little different? Should I be running them closer to 50? The truck is a Safari with an average running weight of about 3 tonne with all my gear. I also tow 2.5 tonne regularly as well.

Dylan.

[tweake]

the max pressure on the sidewall will have a load rating next to it.
the two will give you a rough idea for road use.
if your up around 3 tonne, judging from other tires i've had, you will be near or at max pressure.

tire places just give a generic BS figure thats usually only work for typical car tires with empty car weights. eg i've had them say 32psi for a tire that runs 80psi.

[mudlva]

Vx80 fully loaded always 265.75x16 coopers
38psi f&r. I push her hard and tyres grip well at that pressure. Tyres are warm after long trips so pressures must be about right.
Dont get any real sidewall sway and still pull up in the wet

[MihiT]

A/Ts not so bad for wear, they'll have a pretty flexible carcass and firm tread. Higher pressures will just give you a slightly rougher ride, and put more (though negligible) wear through your shocks and suspension as the sidewalls do less work.
When I'm on the road with M/Ts I usually run 40-45psi. A/Ts or car tyres 32-38psi.
Anything less than 30 is going to wear your tyres quick, over heat them, and be really soggy around corners. Particularly for a saf, I'd start at 38 all round and adjust to your liking.

[wjw]

on the road with M/Ts I usually run 40-45psi. A/Ts or car tyres 32-38psi.

I do pretty much exactly the same, 38 PSI in my AT's and 40 in my Simex's. Generally on a new set of tyres I cover 6" of the tread from one side to the other in chalk to see what the contact pattern is and adjust pressure accordingly.

[tuckertrucker]

cheers guys thats good advice - particularly the chalk idea.

Will bring em up to 40 and see where the feet sit. cheers

[drive it ...]

Pressure will vary for every tyre and vehicle weight combo.

Compare cold pressure then hot pressure after a decent run, should be 4 psi different (I think it was 4 - check with uncle google). More than 4 difference your tire is too soft so sidewalls flexing and heating up increasing pressure. Less than 4 increase means too hard, sidewall not flexing = reduced grip, harsh ride.

[tuckertrucker]

Ive always used my home compressor so what is the deal with servo compressors? Are their gauges accurate or should we stay away from them?

[MihiT]

Ive always used my home compressor so what is the deal with servo compressors? Are their gauges accurate or should we stay away from them?

How often do you have your gauge at home re-calibrated?

I carry a pressure gauge separately anyway, so if two or three give similar readings it can't be too far off...