appropriate tire pressure
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
(Weight of your vehicle x 35%)/max load weight of your tire at max psi = % of max load
% of max load x max psi at max weight load = appropriate psi for the weight of your rig
Here is an example:
My 2 door weighs about 4500 lbs with a soft top & no spare.
My load range D Xterrains have a max load of 3195 lbs at 50 psi.
(4500 x .35 = 1575) / 3195 = 49.3% of max load
49.3% x 50 psi = 25 psi for regular street driving
Then, if I am going to do extended freeway driving, I could increase psi by up to 5 psi to reduce any chance of overheating the tire if traveling in the summer at high temperatures.
% of max load x max psi at max weight load = appropriate psi for the weight of your rig
Here is an example:
My 2 door weighs about 4500 lbs with a soft top & no spare.
My load range D Xterrains have a max load of 3195 lbs at 50 psi.
(4500 x .35 = 1575) / 3195 = 49.3% of max load
49.3% x 50 psi = 25 psi for regular street driving
Then, if I am going to do extended freeway driving, I could increase psi by up to 5 psi to reduce any chance of overheating the tire if traveling in the summer at high temperatures.
The only thing confusing though is why do higher rated tires require more pressure. Should it not be the opposite?
Last edited by daubie; Jun 16, 2010 at 12:11 PM.
JK Junkie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 1
From: The San Andreas Fault
You are safer erring on the side of load capacity than ride quality.
