I have a 04 1500 4x4. I just bought a set of 285/70/17 BFG AT's. The side wall read 65 psi max cold. I don't tow often and the box is usually empty. What would be the best PSI to run these tires for comfort and tread life?

 

60-65psi. dont go above the max (obviously) but anything less than that will create more tire wear, and lower mpgs.

 

I always thought it was dependent on what the vehicle is rated at by the manufacture which is 35psi. Maybe I'm wrong? Thats what I've been running my 285/70/17s BFG a/ts and everything runs pretty smooth.

 

I read that as well but on my door it says 27 psi?

 

I wouldn't run around empty with 60psi. You'll feel every bump in the road. I would run 35-40psi all year round. I had 35psi in my Coopers until i started towing. Then I went to 40psi whichare rated at 50psi max.

Definatley wouldn't run just 27lbs. That's too low. You'll have front tire wear by the first oil change.

 

I have heard Jeep guys in other forums(I own a wrangler also) running mudders on the street at 15psi and getting almost as many miles out of them as running 35psi. I wouldn't run that low but I definatly wouldn't run unloaded at 60psi you'll feel the bumps and your tire will wear uneven in the middle it will wear faster than toward the sidewall,and vice versa if you run them too low it will eat up the tread toward the sidewall and the middle of the contact patch will not wear as much,35-40 is a good range in my opinion.

 

Tire PSI has NOTHING to do with what vehicle you drive. My PSI is different on my truck than your truck because it has EVERYTHING to do with what tire you have. Read whats on the sidewall...thats the number you need to be following.

 

I found this formula a while back when I was trying to determine the same thing. FYI, if you change tires from the manufactures original/spec'd tires you best pressure will probably change.

Tire Pressure = Axle Weight ÷ # of Tires ÷ Tire Weight Rating X Maximum Tire Pressure (of new tires)

For my 2006 1500 I hve the following:

Front - Axle Load Weight = 3700
# of Tire = 2
Tire Rating = 3640
Max Pressure = 80

Rear - Axle Load Weight = 3900
# of Tires = 2
Tire Rating = 3640
Max Pressure = 80

This calculates out to: about 41 psi for the front and 43 psi for the rear. This would be the max loaded weight. I have backed down about 5 to 7 psi from that for an acceptable ride and performance level.

Hope this helps.

 

Negative soldier! The only pressure that is marked on the tire is MAX PSI. Not recommended PSI because that depends on the vehicle they are going on as Ram4wd stated. Think about these guys that are running 35"+ tires on 1500's that are E-rated. Try running those at 80psi and see how comfy that ride is.


Ram4wd----> Excellent post!

 

5psi and get beadlocks