I know this topic has been beaten to death, but I didn't find this specific question in a search.

Just out of curiosity, for those that still have the factory size tires (265/70-17) which I know is not many of you who uses the factory recommended pressure. My door sticker says 29psi front/32psi rear. In my opinion this is way too low. I don't have the factory Goodyear Wrangler RT/S tires anymore, but I personally have found I get the most even wear and the widest contact patch with about 40psi front/38psi rear.

Just curious if anyone is using the factory recommended spec and your experience with it.

 

Tire Pressure for Toyo Open Country MTs, 45 front and 35 rear...

 

It depends upon the load range. You can find the 265/70R17 in 3 different load ranges (and maybe more). A load range B, p series with a max pressure of 35, a load range C LT tire with a max pressure of 50, and a LR E LT tire with a max pressure of 80. In these cases, the only one that should be run at 40 is the LR C. 40 is too low for the LR E, and over the max pressure of the p series.
In general, tire size is meaningless. It is the load range and max pressures that count.

 

I know more than I would care to really about load ranges. I install tires all day every day. My question was simply to find out if anyone was using the factory recommended pressures in their factory tires. It was simply out of curiosity.

 

and by the way, my tires are p-rated (P265/70R17) with a max. pressure of 44psi. i've also seen them with max. pressures of 51psi. so don't assume just because a tire is p-rated, it is only good for 35 psi. of course, more pressure doesn't necessarily mean the tire can handle a heavier load, and always remember to take in the 9-10% (depending on who you talk to) reduction in load capacity when using a p-rated tire on a light truck.

 

No but it does not hold any more weight beyond 35 psi. Anything above 35 is for sidewall stiffness only. Something the LR C would do by it's construction being heavier.

PS, on a newer model, that vehicle with the 35 PSI tires would have a recommended of 35 all the way around. In 98 was when Ford had some "issues" on what pressure to use especially in vehicles like the Explorer.

 

This is true, and is exactly what I stated in my post.

This was not the point of my post however. I don't care about load range C or E tires. My question was posed to those that still have the factory specified P265/70R17 tires on their truck, what pressure they run them at, and what their experience is. I am not concerned with load ratings, etc.

It seems to me that just about every truck I see come in the shop, regardless of tire size or make (Fords, Chevys, Dodges, etc.) either has the middle of the tread worn out or the outside edges worn out. Most of these trucks use the factory specified tire size and pressures. I was simply wondering if anyone on this site using the factory size and pressure was seeing these issues as well.

Personally, I've adjusted my own truck's tire pressures to ensure even wear across the tread. I'm curious how many others do the same.

 

As I stated, newer trucks with a P series tire on will have a recommendation of 35 for those tires. My 07 did. My 09 came with a LR C and where in 98 they were recommended at 36-38, they are now have a recommended pressure of 45. My 04 had a recommended of 40. Ford is changing their recommended pressures no matter what the tire. And at the 40 and so far at th 45, no problem with uneven tire wear.

 

Double post on a timeout.