Load Range E tire pressure

[Savannah Dan]

What PSI are y'all running in your E rated tires.
I just put LT275/65R18 Michelin Defender LTX M/S2s on my 2017 and am wondering what the best pressure to run in them when not towing.

 

[max78]

It depends on the tire more than the rating, but when empty I'm around 35 to 40 psi.

 

[Meeker]

Even though it's a harsher ride, I keep mine at 44psi because if my truck is fully loaded that's the load that each tire needs to be able to handle. I'm rarely at full payload but figure it's safer this way. Try and find your tire chart from Michelin (I found my AT2 LTX chart on their website).
I go up to 55psi when towing for stability.

 

[MAC1]

I keep my Sumitomos at 55psi when not towing and at 75-80psi when towing.

 

[purevw]

Each manufacturer lists their load rating and pressure info on the sidewall of every tire, including max cold pressure. Very few manufacturers are the same. For instance, Meeker stated that he goes up to 55psi when towing. Max pressure on my Michelin Defenders is 44psi. I generally run 42. Bottom line is, check your sidewall for info, and never exceed the maximum pressure that is embossed on the tire.

 

[Jerald Cook]

40 psi for daily use on my E KO2s.

 

[OpticonBill]

Retired tire engineer here. The tire maker has their min-max tire pressure based on the engineering specs of the tire design. The auto maker has their recommended tire pressure, usually on a label in the driver door frame, based on desired auto performance and safety in auto load range specs.

I would go by the auto maker recommendation, since that recommendation is based on vehicle weight and other performance characteristics, in both load and unloaded conditions.

 

[lurch]

When not towing, I run the recommended tire pressure on the door jam, 39 PSI. When towing, I will go as high as 65 PSI if I have my travel trailer full of water, the whole family, all of our gear, and it is windy. If the RV's water tanks are empty and I don't expect wind I will fill the tires to 50 PSI.

 

[Left Coast Geek]

What opticon said. Optimum pressure is a function of tire size and actual load. Even if a load range E tire might be rated for up to 70 PSI or whatever, that's for an actual E load which an expedition is not designed for. 275/65R18 on an gen 4 Expedition at GAWR is 35 PSI, regardless of the tire.

 

[Pawpaw]

For daily use I run 42-44 psi cold. Towing I'll air up to 65 psi front and rear cold. 10 ply E rated BFG's with a max of 80 psi. 20K miles on the tires and they still look new.

 

[shane_th_ee]

I’ll add to the wisdom of the KO2 crowd (ad populum and all) as I run 45 not-towing/65 towing.

 

[BigOleFordFan]

But the thing is that the mfgr's recommended pressures are assuming that, among other things,

A) The vehicle is running the specified diameter, width, height & type of tires AND rims
B) That the suspension & drive train contains factory-spec'd parts (shocks, springs, differentials etc) and has not been altered (dropped, raised, widened, changed gear ratios etc)
C) The vehicle will be used for it's intended uses & loads, and at normal speeds too

If any of the above have been changed, then the pressures should be adjusted accordingly, and based on the tire mfgr recommendations

On my 011 Expy EL, I run 37 no load or 45 loaded, but I don't tow anything or carry extra heavy loads, only some lumber, landscape supplies, furniture, and the Fam...

 

[tlahnala]

Just put some 265/70R18 K03 on 2015 MAX. The tire shop aired them at 40psi. Have about 1500 miles on them. Going to go down to 35psi and see if the ride improves a bit.