Tire Pressure?

[ShortBedChevy]

My girlfriend has an 1985 Chevy silverado k-10 with a 350 auto... 4x4.. I am new to the truck world (mopar person) and i am wondering what the tire pressure should be on a pickup? I would normally run about about 35, but in a truck with bigger tires i would imagine to run more.. I am not sure of the size of the tires.. but here is a photo!

ps- The tires are Toyo's and you may have to right click the red X and click "Show Picture" to see it..

[odie82]

look on the sidewall of the tire it will give you the tire size and the max air pressure it can handle.

[ShortBedChevy]

I know about that.. But the thing i dont get, is i belive it only says something like " The Max Load Handle is 50 P.S.I" which seems really high to fill a tire up that high? Maybe im wrong?
How high do you all have yours filled??

[low 84]

you are correct. you don't need to max out the air pressure unless you are maxing out the load capacity as well. i would probly run 35 in them. if you go to haul anything heavy hit the rears up to 45-50

[Prerunner1982]

have been told you get better gas mileage when tires are aired up properly... my 32s say COLD psi is 50. i run them between 40 and 50.. as long as they are all the same.

[ShortBedChevy]

cool, thanks for the help guys and gals!

[Grim Reaper]

Loaded question with too many variables to get a generic answer.
Weight, Brand, Side wall construction, tread width, rim width all play into this.

THe way to figure it out and tailor it to the vehicle is by some tire pressure tests. I got this info from a Guy that worked for both Michelin and Yokohama at one time and this is how they figured it out. I have done this on all my cras and it works extremely well and been using the pressures I worked out from doin this for close to a year now. Very even tread wear aft 12k between two vehicle and 10k was on a single vehicle.

I worked for Michelin Tire Corporation for 7 years and Yokohama Tire Corporation for 11 years. I have given numerous tire seminars on tire maintenance and especially how to determine the correct tire pressures. So here goes.
The pressure on the sidewall of the tire is the maximum pressure at the published load at approximately 55 mph. (The speed can vary somewhat but it is not important for our discussion).
The air pressure is required to support the load that the tire must carry in such a manner that the tire flexes at the designed place on the sidewall of the tire.
If the load on the tire changes then the air pressure should change accordingly to keep the tire flexing at the proper place.
The reason for correct air pressure is to prevent the tire from overheating. It was put together with heat and it will come apart the same way. An under inflated tire will eventually self destruct due to excessive heat build up. An over inflated tire will ride harshly and be more likely to burst upon impact. Sorry for the long explanation but here is the bottom line.
To determine the correct air pressure, check the pressure when the tire is cold. Run the tire for several miles at highway speed. Stop and immediately check the air pressue in the tire. It should be higher than when cold but no more than 10% higher.
Now here is the hard to believe part. If the pressure is more than 10% higher you must ADD AIR and test again. For example if you start with 50 psi cold. If the pressure is 60 when hot, you have exceeded the (10%) in this case, 55 psi maximum safe heat build up pressure. You must ADD AIR. In this case I would add 5 psi which would take the tire to 65 psi when hot. After you run the tire again you will find the pressure to actually drop because the tire will run cooler. The heat build up causes the tire pressure to increase when under inflated.
On the other hand, if the 50 psi cold pressure does not change when hot. You have more air than needed. You can remove 5 psi or so and test again when they return to cold. Like the next trip you take.
So a fully loaded rig will require more air in the tires than one with empty tanks and a light load on board. Always error on the side of over inflation. Thus the maximum sidewall pressure indicated on the tire is usually used. It usually is more than needed. Each axle has its own requirement based upon the load on that axle.

[Grim Reaper]

Let me clarify that this what in a Travel trailer forum and we were talking about trailer and D and E rated tires. That;s why your seeing such high pressures being quoted.

For the record I have found 62 psi to be a good general pressure on my 88 454 burb unloaded. with 235 85 15 Michelin with E rating.
It's a bit of a harsh ride and that conciderably higher pressure then GM recomended on the stock tires at empty. But those rating were WAY under inflated for these tires.