An often asked question: What PSI do you run your tires at?

For Volvo 610 (and other Class 8 trucks)owners, I'm curious on what your actual run pressure is at. Opinions and data are abundant, real statements are rare.

Hi Chris,


For no scientific reason, I run 90 in the fronts, and 85 or 90 in the rears. Full inflation is not required because not much weight is carried.

Have you had an opportunity to tow any significent distance yet? Are you using the factory hitch, or did you install an air ride hitch? (End of interrogation) :-)

onezman

https://onezman.tripod.com/whitehotrvhauler

Chris:

Michelin on their web site has an iflation table, for various tire size and location (steer/drive). They also have an rv only for very lightly loaded tires.

I run 90 in front, and 85 in the rears and could go lower according to the charts.

Chuck

Thanks for the info. Confirms where Suzy Q seemed to want the pressure set to.

onzeman: did a test run to California. Only a 600 mile run over a weekend. Wanted to check and see how things were working and catch problems before the planned big trips happened.

Still running the stock hitch. Pulled the trailer loaded with bikes without issues. Nate took his turn at it also. Great trip.

Hi
I'm at 70 lbs with road tires I still have both rear axles and need the footprint.
This truck sure makes trailer towing Fun !

Tom....what kinda truck are you pulling with?

geof
Iam using 98 volvo 420 3axle it has 425 volvo eng. The truck has 650k miles on it 10k are mine. I prefer the smaller cab.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tom:
I prefer the smaller cab.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I am also partial to the 420 cab for what I want to do. Problem is they aren't nearly as common as the larger sizes. And good luck finding a day cab with any sizable wheelbase!

Hi Gary
My truck came from Georga, it was a "Little Debbie truck" itwas maintained by Ryder which made the sale for me .
Trucks are mostly used back east for regional over night runs .
Went to Washington on a trip and counted ten or so carriers were useing on I 5.

Hey Tom-
Sounds like you got a good truck, as Ryder knows how to maintain 'em. I think warpath's truck was also a Ryder. Only thing with his was whoever drove it smoked like a train. Like Lynyrd Skynyrd sang, "EWWWWW that SMELL!"
Take care! Gary

Tom,

I like those 420s too. Lot's of them are used as car haulers. With that flat roof, a car can be hauled over the cab too. What State did you register in, and how is it registered? If registered commercially, what does your insurance cost? I think many States would not register them as motorhomes.

onezman

https://onezman.tripod.com/whitehotrvhauler

I looked at a 420 when I was considering a Showhauler Conversion......I think I will go with a 610....I wish a 770 table and couches ,that fold into a bed, would fit in a 610 but they won't....so I think I'll stay with the stock 610 interior setup....I got to send more time looking at stock 610's or unites that have been converted to RV Haulers....geof

Hi onezman
I Live in Medford Or. it was Nov. reg. as truck 170 $ (30$) for third axle (one time only) can pay quarterly if we want . Insured with gmac as semi for non commercial use under 500$ a year no collision. Motor home reg. would be challenge not because of 420. DMV says no cdl if no pay . I have been from Washington to Arizona no scale stops yet. What fun these trucks are thankyou for all your shared experiences, they helped me tosee the light

1998 volvo 420 volvo engine 425 450k miles,3 axles overall length is 25' I have four wheeler behind cab

[This message was edited by tom on May 12, 2003 at 12:45 AM.]

Hey, Chuck - Couldn't find the air pressure charts you mention on the Michelin site. Can you give me a full URL? thanks - Joe

1998 Volvo VNL64T610 N14Cummins

Joe:

The Michelin site is fairly user hostile. The chart is a download, and you get to it by:

www.truckus.webmichelin.com

when the site comes up and it takes awhile to completely load, go to the banner on the left side go to: information
Bulletins
new tires
technical bulletins
and then scroll down to rv tires air pressure etc.

Lots of good information on their site, they just don't make it easy to get to.

Hope this helps

Chuck

Thanks Chuck. I'll check it out. I've got recaps on the rear axle so I'm a little concerned about not being underinflated. Joe

1998 Volvo VNL64T610 N14Cummins

Okay, Chuck - Am I an idiot, or are we playing a game of "stump the dummy". I can't see anything on the site titled "rv tires air pressure etc." Lots of other stuff there in the drop down menus; but nothing like I think I'm supposed to be looking for. Are you talking about the bulletin on motorhomes? This string started out with a question regarding tire pressures on Volvos and other Class 8s. Is that the information your trying to lead me to, or are you talking about motorhomes? Thanks - Joe

1998 Volvo VNL64T610 N14Cummins

Joe,
I think he means Information-->Bulletins-->New Tires-->Technical Bulletins-->Motorhome Weights and Tire Pressure.

Joe:

James is right. If you look at the section on motorhomes they have tire pressures for 22 and 24 inch tires. Sorry I didn't get the last title correct, forgot to write it down which is a huge mistake for me to make.

Chuck

Okay, I am "the dummy". I went to the "Motorhome Weights and Tire Pressure bulletin and all I see is a two-page PDF file that shows sketches of how to weigh an RV. There's absolutely nothing that I can see on these two pages that refers to 22 or 24 inch tires or air pressue. So, just call me a lost cause on this one. Thanks anyway - Joe

1998 Volvo VNL64T610 N14Cummins

Having read this thread, I have one question for all. Has anyone considered looking at the side of the tire?
They put a recomended air pressure there for a reason. If it says 90psi, put 90psi in it. It's not designed to be run on less.
Under-inflation causes crowning(outer treads wearing faster than inner treads), excessive heat generation and, in extreme cases, belt damage. this happens whether the tire is under a load or not.
Over-inflation causes cupping(inner treads wearing faster than outer treads), reduced traction under break and on wet surfaces and, in extreme cases, belt damage. This happens whether the tire is under a load or not.
The most common cause of blow-outs is under- or over-inflation.
There is a reason that recomended air pressure is branded into the side of your tires. Look at it and use it.

I think YOU might want to re-read the sidewall. Usually it says- MAXIMUM PRESSURE or words to that effect. That means do not exceed the printed pressure no matter what weight is on it. For lighter weights, lower pressures ARE permitted, and usually recommended by the tire makers themselves for longer tire life. Using maximum pressures under very light loads as discussed here will NOT lengthen tire life, and will make the ride much rougher because it cannot cushion bumps.

Joe,
I found something on Michelins site that might help.
Go to https://www.michelintruck.com
Hover on products. A sub-menu will open. Hover on New Tires and you'll get another sub-menu. Click on new tires. Enter the info that best describes your application and click continue. Click on one of the resulting tires and on the page that opens, find the button that says Load and pressure. This will give you a chart showing the minimum air pressure at a given load.
Keep in mind, if you run "Drive" tires on your drive axle, instead of "steer/any position", they won't be listed under recreational vehicle. You'll need to look under "Truckload Carrier".
Having read the chart, it seems the minimum recomended air pressure for an 11R22.5, if you are running "drive tires" on your rear axle and the load is 17,520lbs or less, would be 70psi. 75psi. if the load is between 17,520 and 18,320 etc.
The pressure/load is different for metric tires. Also different for "steer/any position" tires.
Hope this helps.

Gary,
My last statement wasn't intended as an attack. Sorry if I offended you. It was meerly a word of advice.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Gary,
My last statement wasn't intended as an attack. Sorry if I offended you. It was meerly a word of advice.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Don't worry. I didn't take it as such. My only point was "one pressure fits all" is not true. Different loads require different pressures, up to the maximum stamped on the tire. Take care!

How does low usage and long non-usage factor in?.....geof

Thanks, James. I looked over the charts. It looks like I can get away with 70 psi in my front (steer) axle tires if I'm under 9,000 lbs. 70 does seem a bit low to me (for no scientific reason). I have 90 all the way around and the Volvo rides kind of rough (bobtail). So, I think I'll back them down to 85 and see what happens. Joe

1998 Volvo VNL64T610 N14Cummins