Do any of you guys split your tire pressure when towing or hauling?? Just finished my 2,000 mile trip and tried a few different combos along the way. Ended up really liking my pressures at 55 psi rear and 40 - 42 front. With my trailer loaded up for the move, the front end was definately lighter, so really no reason to max out the pressure of the front tires. Most people don't get the concept of tire pressures anyways. But, this combo worked out for me so just felt like starting a thread to see if you guys do anything similar.

 

If your are referring to the trailer:
Interesting concept.. Assuming you have torsion axles or the equalizer would make having different tire pressures between front and back axle moot as they would share the load equally.
Since trailer tires are designed to run at max inflation; I'm not sure I would recommend anyone to do otherwise.
Running max inflation on a trailer tire reduced the chance of a blow out, over heating, scuffing and trailer roll.
It's not like a passenger or light truck tire where low rolling resistance, ride comfort, contact patch and maximum steering and brake efficiency are the key goals.

If you are referring to the truck tire pressures:
Yes,
I commonly have differernt pressure from the front vs. the back tires of the truck

 

Yes...talking about the truck.

 

Tire pressure is deterimined by the amount of weight on them. This applies to trailer tires as well. The best way to determine your tire pressure is to weigh each axle then consult the tire manufacturer or dealer for a chart for your tires. On the truck, you would need both loaded and unloaded weights.

The fact that your front end feels lighter when your truck is hitched to the trailer suggests you need an equalizing or load distribution hitch. Towing with a lighten front end can cause poor control, especially when the road is wet or icy, and trailer sway. A load distributing hitch will transfer some of the tongue weight to the front wheels giving better control.

 

My truck's axle ratings are similar, so I run the same pressure in all 4 tires.

 

Please explain what you mean by: "split your tire pressure" for my understanding.

 

If I haven't too horribly misinterpreted the OP, he is referring to running a different tire pressure on the rear axle than what he is running on the front axle.

 

When I tow, I will pump up all four truck tires equally, to 50 psi (max cold for LT 'C' rated tires). I have a WD hitch setup and my front end lowers by about a 1/4" and the rear is even after I hitch up and set the WD bars. I might actually have 'too much' WD, but I've tried it with less tension, and didn't like the way it rode or handled, so I keep it at the higher tension..

On the trailer, the tires like it at 40 psi (cold). When I run them at the stated 35 psi, they run hotter and the 'hot' psi is higher then when I run them at 40 to begin with. I'm going to get "C" rated ST tires for the trailer next time. They are currently "B" rated. I'll pump them up to 50 psi when I get the C's..

Been running them like this for over 6 years now with no blowouts.. Yes, I know the time limit is getting close on the tires, and I'll probably replace them next season..

The only time I run different PSI on the truck is when it's empty. I run the fronts at 44 psi and the rears at 40 psi. Nice compromise with ride and tire wear by my 'seat O the pants'.. I like the higher front PSI for cornering, as the front is heavier then the rear when it's empty...

Mitch