2016 Ventana 4322 Tire pressure

[snowhawk2]

We have a 2016 Ventana 4322 that weighs in about 38,000 lbs fully loaded. I know what the tire charts tell me I should be running the steer, drive and tag axles at. I was wondering what other 4322 or Ventana 43' tag axles owners are running their tires at, assuming similar weights.

The reason for my question is I have run into several folks with different theories on tire pressures. For example someone said they run all of their tires at 110 lbs on each axle. I know it rides hard at those numbers because I tried it but fuel economy was a bit better, as expected. Another owner said the fronts are run at 120 and the rears at 100. I wouldn't run tires at their max psi but to each their own. Another said they run the tag 10 to 15 lbs below the drive axle psi.

I thought I knew what I was doing but this is my first tag axle. I'm currently running the fronts at 110 which more than covers the front axle weight and capacity. I have been running the tires on the drive and tag axle at 85 to 90. According the tire chart I'm more than covering my weight per axle and well beyond what is needed at the GVWR, at these psi numbers.

What is your strategy to managing tire pressure with a tag axle?

[BBelanger]

I run as soft as I can get away with. 100 front and 85 rears. Of course this was a 4018, but still about the same weight. I watched the pressures and temperatures rise as I drove and everything looked normal to me. Can't imagine the reason for 100 in the rear and 120 up front. I'd like to hear that theory.

I know I hear all the stories of blow outs from under pressure tires. I never see any numbers. Were the tires 20 pounds under? Did the temperature rise 100 degrees before blow out? Those numbers would be meaningful to someone who monitors them.

[BBelanger]

Let's do a "what if". What if the absolute perfect tire pressure is 100. One guy rides on 105 tires his whole life and endures the stiff ride for the sake of "safety" The other guy rides on a nice soft 95 for his entire life. Will 5 pounds put a person's life in danger? Will the 5 pounds make the other guy safer? 10 pounds of air pressure is definitely felt in the ride. I choose to live on the edge and be a daredevil. If the 10 pounds makes you sleep better at night, then that's the right pressure for you. That's 5% That would be 1.5 pounds on a car tire. If your car tire is supposed to be 35, are you scared when your tires are 33.5? As far as tire wear, I feel your much more likely to need new tires due to age, scuffing, balance, damage than pressure. But even then, I'll take the softer ride. I'm quite sure if 5% under inflation was causing a rash of blow outs, I'd heard by now.

[snowhawk2]

Originally Posted by BBelanger

Let's do a "what if". What if the absolute perfect tire pressure is 100. One guy rides on 105 tires his whole life and endures the stiff ride for the sake of "safety" The other guy rides on a nice soft 95 for his entire life. Will 5 pounds put a person's life in danger? Will the 5 pounds make the other guy safer? 10 pounds of air pressure is definitely felt in the ride. I choose to live on the edge and be a daredevil. If the 10 pounds makes you sleep better at night, then that's the right pressure for you. That's 5% That would be 1.5 pounds on a car tire. If your car tire is supposed to be 35, are you scared when your tires are 33.5? As far as tire wear, I feel your much more likely to need new tires due to age, scuffing, balance, damage than pressure. But even then, I'll take the softer ride. I'm quite sure if 5% under inflation was causing a rash of blow outs, I'd heard by now.

An unnecessary stiff ride is not good for the coach Long term and it just beats on the interior from the jarring as we travel bumpy and lousy roads across the country. So I like to be safe but have the comfort of a smooth ride. In the rears did you run the tag axle at the same psi as the drive axle?

[BBelanger]

I ran 85 in both drive and tag because that was the minimum. I ran 100 up front. I felt that was a good compromise.

They had 130 all around when I went to the factory for pickup and after the first ride, told them I wasnt taking the coach! That's when they told me I could run less, and the study and rationalization and testing began.

[snowhawk2]

Originally Posted by BBelanger

I ran 85 in both drive and tag because that was the minimum. I ran 100 up front. I felt that was a good compromise.

They had 130 all around when I went to the factory for pickup and after the first ride, told them I wasnt taking the coach! That's when they told me I could run less, and the study and rationalization and testing began.

For liability reason I suspect they put the max pressure on the stickers, and in your tires at FPU. When pressed on the issue they say they don't make psi recommendations because it is dependent on the weight going down the road which they don't have when it is fully loaded.

[BBelanger]

And that's when I realized how much difference a few pounds can make. 130 felt like steel wheels. Unbelievable...

[NealC]

Weird as there is a nearly identical discussion a few up on the VT LE. Here is my opinion:

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f103/tire...ml#post3704570

[BBelanger]

Originally Posted by NealC

Weird as there is a nearly identical discussion a few up on the VT LE. Here is my opinion:

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f103/tire...ml#post3704570

This conversation seems to pop up very regularly. There should be an automated response..." That's what the chart is for"