Can you recommend a tire pressure for E Load Range AT tires on my stock 96 4Runner?

[Benski]

I'm a Carpenter and drive a stock 1996 4Runner (GVWR 5250). I often carry 100-400lbs. of tools, lumber and supplies. I occasionally tow a 6'x12" enclosed trailer partially loaded and a 15' fish/ski runabout. I currently run 265/70 16 BFG ATs Load Range D at 29-32 pounds and have had great wear and handling. I will soon replace them with 265/75 16 Load Range E BFG ATs that I got a great deal on. I have read a lot on tire pressures and know many of you have a lot of experience and good recommendations. I would appreciate you input. Thanks, Ben.

 

[JB.]

I'd run at least 35psi. You always want a healthy amount of load reserve.

Assuming the stock tire is P265/70/16 at 32psi on the door placard, the new tire would take 40psi to match that load reserve because http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/110299-lt-tires-need-more-air-pressure.html

 

[Benski]

I have read posts of people running from 29-45 psi! That is quite a range. I've read 29, 32, 35, 36, 38, 42 and 45! Some said the low pressure gave them better traction and gas mileage and others said the higher pressure gave them better gas mileage. I'm confused...

 

[JB.]

I have read posts of people running from 29-45 psi! That is quite a range. I've read 29, 32, 35, 36, 38, 42 and 45! Some said the low pressure gave them better traction and gas mileage and others said the higher pressure gave them better gas mileage. I'm confused...

Considering your choice of tire in the first place, plus the fact that so many other things affect mileage way, way more than tire pressure, focusing on mileage seems out of place.

I wouldn't give it much thought, but if you must, higher pressure will give slightly better mpg with diminishing returns the higher you go. 35-40psi should give good results for everything all around.

 

[Jeff4runner]

Run 32 psi in the front and 34 in the rear if you tow the trailer and keep your tools in the back.

 

[Benski]

Any other thoughts on this?

 

[fourwd1]

Any other thoughts on this?

The starting point would be the pressure that Toyota reccomends, which is on the door jamb plate.
It doesn't matter what tire size you're running, pressure is pressure.
When you have a heavy load, a slight increase is a good idea.
A slight increase may also improve mpg, because it reduces the amount of tire actually touching the road (foot print), which decreases friction.
You'll have to do some experimentation to find what is best for your particular conditions.

 

[JB.]

It doesn't matter what tire size you're running, pressure is pressure.

Tire size matters a lot (as does type).

Donut spares require high pressure for a reason.

 

[Benski]

My door jamb plate states a P225/75 R15 at 29psi cold. That states a smaller passenger tire on a smaller rim. I am going to a LT265/75 R16. I can't go by what the jamb states with my new tires.

 

[JB.]

My door jamb plate states a P225/75 R15 at 29psi cold. That states a smaller passenger tire on a smaller rim. I am going to a LT265/75 R16. I can't go by what the jamb states with my new tires.

That was apparently the smallest tire size offered but it still results in 19% load reserve at 29psi and 5250lb GVW, which is not generous, but acceptable. You can check my arithmetic in the pdf linked inside the LT Tire link, earlier.

You could run the LT265/75/16 at door sticker pressure, even though it's LT, without losing load capacity because the increased size more than offsets the change to LT.

Fwiw, <a href="http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/110300-ask-tire-engineer.html" target="_blank">this</a> tire engineer recommends any LT be run on pavement at 35psi minimum for bead fit reasons, but I don't have the reference handy.

 

[Benski]

Bump

 

[fourwd1]

Tire size matters a lot (as does type).

Donut spares require high pressure for a reason.

Yes, but donut spares aren't ordinary tires and not part of the OP's question.