Maintaining tirepressure.

[two_travelers]

We recently took an extended trip to Glacier NP in Montana from the east coast. Before leaving, I over filled the tires to 88 (recommended 82) figuring it would get colder (37deg) and there was an increase in altitude (5,600ft). Sure enough by time we got to Glacier, pressure was down to 81. Again over filled to allow for temp changes. Pressure fluctuated, mostly higher, as temp went up and lower altiude. As we got further east looked like cooler temps. Over fill resulted in harsher ride, but could not see adding or letting air out every day. Is there a happy medium to this problem?

[two_travelers]

Thanks to all who shared their experience. I have a TPMS so I usually check in the AM before starting out. According to Goodyear the min pressure for the G670 is 80lbs. Since we were spending several weeks at higher altitude and cooler temps, I decided to up the pressure some what since it was at 81lbs; rather too much than not enough.

[phillyg]

With all due respect to the OP, airing tires has been discussed numerous times. Air the tires when cold, i.e., before rolling. Ambient temp is not taken into consideration as it constantly changes. Tire mfgrs. have taken that in consideration in their inflation tables.

If you normally air to the max psi indicated on the tires, do so. The tires will naturally heat up in use. I use a temp gun and look for an anomaly. If three tires are, say, 120 degrees, and one tire is 160, that indicates a problem that should be investigated.

[sgfrye]

Wire Man wrote:
I always fill mine to the “max pressure” that is listed on the Tire itself because we tow a trailer. Biggest reason for tire failure is over heating which is compounded by under inflation.

x2

[Lwiddis]

I'm a "if we drive today the tire pressure is checked" guy...safety first.

[jorbill2or]

Tire pressure set at "cold" before driving is not static. set it once and leave it.anyone with a tire pressure monitor will tell you the it never stays the same while driving ,generally going up with temp and speed and of course altitude but to a lesser degree.Even sunshine on a tire will raise its temp. I've seen 15-20 lbs gain while driving.
Set it and DON'T forget it but do NOT mess it. Better yet get a working TPMS and turn it on.. it will confirm accurate pressure. Chasing 1-3lbs pressure change ea day is over the need. ( Yes I guess you could say a bit OCD) As a commercial driver i Didn't even have a tire gauge for my daily pretrips . If it makes you happy though 🙂 check away!

[Executive45]

I check my tire pressures at the beginning of any travel day. I also check it frequently while traveling, but I have TST TPMS. Once settled, I turn it off. I run my tire pressure according to axle weight plus 5. 110/Front 100/Drive 90/tag. Tires wear evenly and coach rides smoothly. Even with changes in altitude I'm still within chart specs. From Yuma @ 117 to Amarillo @ 65 degrees they're still within specs. I only rarely add or subtract pressure in our travels....Just my experience....I could open another can of worms and talk about tire temperatures, but that's another post.....Dennis

[NMDriver2]

I have 6 motorized vehicles and 4 trailers. I live at 4200 ft and drive to 6200ft regularly. Years ago I figured out that the door post pressure on the vehicles would lead to edge wear on the tires at this altitude. The pressure on the sticker was based on sea level. I add 5 lbs to each door post pressure and have had even wearing tires for the last 10 years. I do the same for the trailer tires. 5 over the max on the sidewall and I have never had center tread wear before the side tread. Your experience may be different but that is my experience.

[DrewE]

DSDP Don wrote:

I'm amazed at how many people SAY they check their pressure everyday. It's surprising they don't create more issues than they avoid.

:? :h How would checking the tire pressure each day create issues? Or even saying one does, whether one actually does or does not check it? I don't think I've ever seen or heard of a tire that was damaged by having a pressure gauge applied to it; the only possible scenario I can think of where that might be problematic is if the tire valve were to wear out from extra use cycles, and that just doesn't seem to happen much (and I, at least, have a couple of valve cores and a valve tool in the motorhome).

I do check my tire pressures every travel day before setting out. It's infrequent that I need to adjust anything, but occasionally it is called for.

[DSDP_Don]

I run my tires at a pressure that is recommended by the tire chart, according to my axle weights. Once I determined that weight, I wrote it down on my compressor. I check my tire pressure twice a year, once during my yearly service and once in between servicing the coach. In 15 years of owning a DP, the tire pressure has only been off by 1-3 psi after six months and most of that may have just been a difference I outside temperature.

For the first 13 years, I didn't use a TPMS system. I now use one, but it's only to see if I had a tire lose pressure overnight.

I'm amazed at how many people SAY they check their pressure everyday. It's surprising they don't create more issues than they avoid.

[Lwiddis]

If wildtoad is saying “follow manufacturer’s specifications,” X2. Go figure! lol

[wildtoad]

Here we go again... For a motorhome, in 99.9% of the situations the pressure indicated on the tires is nice to know, but NOT relevant since you may never need that much pressure to support the actual weight of your motorhome. Trailer and fifth wheels are different.

If you have no additional information, then use the pressure that is on the placard inside your motorhome.

If you only know your GAWR’s then use that along with the tire manufacturer’s weight tables if you find the placard weight too harsh.

If you know your actual axle weights, or better yet four corner weights, then use that information along with tire manufacturers weight tables to set your tire pressures for where you are at the moment.

The pressures in the charts assume some fluctuations due to temperature and altitude for short term. Adjusting pressures frequently/daily is a sign you have OCD and you need to see a doctor.

[dougrainer]

Cars/Motorhomes/AND Trailers all have a VIN type sticker showing the CORRECT pressure for that vehicle as equipped from the factory. USE those figures UNLESS you have a 4 corner weight done by the A Weight We Go, people at rallies. Doug

PS, do some of you MAX out your pressure on your Automobiles???? Regardless of what the Manual states???

[wa8yxm]

I fill per scaler weight. But "Cold" is 70 dergrees for practical purpsoes. (If you ask them the tire maker can tell you more precisely) no need to over fill due to 20 degrees out.

On my class A I can tell you filling the back tires just got 1000 percent easier.> DUALLY VALVES. .YES. DUALLY VALVES.. No more removing the simulator and reaching into where I can't see to do the job

[Wire_Man]

I always fill mine to the “max pressure” that is listed on the Tire itself because we tow a trailer. Biggest reason for tire failure is over heating which is compounded by under inflation.