Re: Tire Pressure
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 116369
Replying to the Tire PSI threads can be cause danger for those who don't take the extra time to get the specifics for their coaches. Even the same model coach, can have variances amongst the lines, as far as weigh is concerned. (High Cascade, Newport, Alexandria, Etc, Etc.).
The best practices for an owner with a new coach, is to obtain:
> Four corner weights. Loaded, full fuel and water, and ready for travel.
> Consult the tire manufactures Load Weight to PSI chart, for your specific tire, and with your tire model the specific Load Range. This is the recommended least amount of PSI to run with. And adjust up/down based upon ambient tire temperature, and set when coach has not been moved at speed for at least 3-4 hours.
I personally adopted advice from IRV2 Poster Tireman9. He has an informative site that he references in his signature. His advice is to add some contingency to the manufactures recommended PSI.
So I take my four corner weights, calculate the side of the axle with the highest weight, and use this to access the tire manufactures Load Weight to PSI. If I find that the weigh being checked, is within top 20-25% range on the chart, I bump up to the next levels of weights.
I then add 10% contingency to that recommended value. Why? Well a few reasons are: Coach Weight Creep, while traveling, from the added stuff we buy and put into the coach; While traveling, if I lose a couple of pounds PSI, I don't have to worry about being under the pressure level for safety; When traveling in some regions, it's very possible to have one periods of steady side winds, which put some extra weight on the downward side of the wind.
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The danger of reading what I do for my coach, is that it could vary greatly from your weight, specific tire, and the PSI that you should be running with.
All that being said, 2004 40' Allure, two drivers side slides, Tag coach, I run:
100 on steers
95 on Duals and Tag (Note: Duals could have been much lower, but it was just easier to remember 95 on the all of the rears:)!).
This is with 295/80's, and are from Michelin Load Weight chart, for the XZA2 and my load range.
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A good source to obtain Four Corner weights, is to access the Escapees website, and look for their Smart Tire. They have two sets of scales (Or did, maybe more now.) And they will sometimes travel to different events with them. But usually have a set in Texas and another set in Arizona, at their RV Parks. You do not need to be a member of Escapees to obtain their services for the Four Corner weight.
You could also look for scales, pay a fee. And drive across the scales twice. Once with both sides of an axle on the scale, to obtain full axle weight. Then again, straddle the scale with either the left or right side of the axles, depending upon scale layout. You then subtract the single side axles weight, from the full axle weight to obtain L/R axle weights. Use the highest weight between the L/R side, per axle, when determining PSI settings.
Tires are one of the most important safety items on our rigs. Those little tiny patches of rubberized compound touching the ground, are all that allow you to move forward, steer, stop your coach. Proper PSI not only helps on wear, but also it provides the best possible grip of those little contact points.
If not clear in my ramblings. I do suggest getting actual four corner weights for your coach, loaded and ready to travel. Full fuel, and water.
Travel safe, and best to all,
Smitty
04 Allure 31017
Topic: Tire Pressure (Read 659 times)
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