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Topic: Tire Pressure Question (Time Sensitive Leaving Saturday 12/09/23) (Read 374 times) previous topic - next topic
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Tire Pressure Question (Time Sensitive Leaving Saturday 12/09/23)
I'm sorry if this is a "really dumb question."  However, circumstances lately have caused my anxiety level to be high.  As I write this, my 1998 mid-bath is at an RV muffler shop getting a new catalytic converter.  After the repair, I'm parking it in front of my home to finish loading item to go to Mexico.   Hopefully it will be safe on the street for two nights. 
The border at Lukeville/Sonoyta has been closed both ways for an indefinite period due to the influx of migrants crossing.  I would have actually been able to cross by the closing date if my catalytic converter fiasco hadn't occurred.  Previously I had my rig weighed and the proper calculated tire pressure is 65 front/70 rear. 
A man prominent in the Puerto Penasco community has been leading caravans from Puerto Penasco to the borders at San Luis (near Yuma) and Nogales (near Tucson).  He's meeting me with his wife Sunday morning in Nogales and driving my RV to Puerto Penasco where there will be other autos in a caravan.  He's actually arranged a police escort in Caborca. 
My water tank is currently full and I'll have two extra people on board.  I don't have the weight stats with me as they're in the RV.  OK, here's the added truth.  I also have "several" box-o-pinot noir and about a case of other champagne and wine.  Should I increase the tire pressure and if so by how much?  Will it hurt to run 70 in front and 75 in the rear? 
I may be worrying too much, but at this point I don't feel like I can take "one more" catastrophe...
Thanks in advance...
Cheryl (a.k.a. Desert Diva)
1998 Lazy Daze (26.5 mid-bath)
2002 Honda CR-V
Re: Tire Pressure Question (Time Sensitive Leaving Saturday 12/09/23)
Reply #1 –
Cheryl ...  if you are not sure of the weight of your LD I'd suggest the maximum tire pressure as shown on the tires, which might be 80 psi.  Otherwise, you are just guessing what would be a safe tire pressure.  And safe travels to your Happy Place.
Re: Tire Pressure Question (Time Sensitive Leaving Saturday 12/09/23)
Reply #2 –
If your tires have less that 6 years from the date of manufacture, then inflating them to the full cold inflation pressure on the sidewalls will only cause a harsher ride if higher than needed. Handling should still be fine.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Tire Pressure Question (Time Sensitive Leaving Saturday 12/09/23)
Reply #3 –
This is one of the rare times I would disagree with "Ed & Margee". I think running 80# of tirepressure in the front tires is a bad idea.

If I were make your proposed trip in my midbath, I would be driving with my standard tire pressure of 66# in the front tires and 76-78# in the rear tires. If it makes you feel better about the added weight of 2 more people and a case of wine go ahead and put 70# in the fronts. 80# in the fronts will give you a very harsh ride and perhaps a strange feel to the steering.

Enjoy your trip!

Steve K
Steve K

2003 Mid-bath
Re: Tire Pressure Question (Time Sensitive Leaving Saturday 12/09/23)
Reply #4 –
Thanks everyone for your helpful and thoughtful replies.  My tires are fairly new (I think 2021) and without a lot of miles on them.  (Yes, I do know about age and dry rot in a desert climate.)  I usually go Mesilla Valley Tire to check my air pressure since it's near the RV storage facility and I-10.  I'll have to drive across town, but I'll fill up my tank ($2.48 at Sam's Club around the corner from my town-home. 
I'll defer to them, but I'm leaning toward 70 front/75 rear. 
Thanks again, this certainly has been no fun!
Cheryl (a.k.a. Desert Diva)
1998 Lazy Daze (26.5 mid-bath)
2002 Honda CR-V