What's the best PSI

HappyCamper2024 · September 14

Hey y'all, I have a 2023 320s "signature series", which has a dry weight of 1946. It's been sitting since Memorial Day and I'm getting ready for a fall trip. The tires are Goodyear 235/75r15. The max psi is 51. This is my first camper. If this were a car I'd get pretty close to the max but do you do that with a camper?

I'll fill it with water (13 gallons I think) and have a few odds and ends in there, like a duffel and a couple of camp chairs.

I'm planning to pick up a tire inflator/air compressor so I can fill the tires at home.

Any tips on the PSI or filling the tires generally?

Thank you fellow campers!

TourDeForth · September 14

If it’s a trailer tire (i.e. an ST) then I would fill it to the pressure indicated on the sidewall of the tire. If it’s not a trailer tire I would go with the tire pressure placard for that size tire on the side of the trailer (not to exceed the max psi on the tire sidewall.)

HappyCamper2024 · September 15

I need to find the placard on the trailer. I expected it to be inside the door.

Is ST a brand or a designation for trailer tire? I didn't see it on there but I wasn't looking. Will check in the AM, thanks.

Grumpy_G · September 15

Loaded question (pun intended

) Highway tires have the load rating at maximum pressure on the sidewall. Historically RV manufacturers have put the maximum pressure on the sticker because the typical mass-produced RVs are pushing the axle and tire ratings to maximize payload. The T@b 320 is a little different in that the actual tire load is way below the tire maximum. For trailer tires (ST=special trailer) the manufacturers actually publish tables of recommended pressure for specific loads. Example https://www.goodyearrvtires.com/pdfs/rv_inflation.pdf The same is true for regular car and light truck tires but it's up to the vehicle manufacturer to determine the best pressure for comfort, handling and load carrying requirements.
Based on the table above I run at 45 psi which is still good for almost 500 lbs more than the T@b is allowed to weigh.

tabiphile · September 15

Excellent response from Grumpy_G. Mic drop on that! I run 45 pounds.
I generally make a habit or keeping the tanks empty when I tow. To each their own, but water is heavy, moves around, and I have never had a problem filling up en-route.

HappyCamper2024 · September 16

Thanks guys. A little disturbing that my tire is a Goodyear but not listed on that PDF of Goodyear inflation tables. Google says to check what the vehicle suggests. Is there actually a psi/vin placard on the 2023 tab?

I will keep looking for a Goodyear-specific source.

TourDeForth · September 16

My placard is located on the front left side of my trailer just above the running light and next to the cassette toilet access door.

pthomas745 · September 16

@HappyCamper2024 Which exact version of Goodyear do you have? The chart that has the various inflation numbers in the link above is from "around" 2017, so if you are running Wrangler Trail Runners, etc, there may be completely separate inflation charts.

HappyCamper2024 · September 16

It's a wrangler 235/75r15.

I found a 2022 tire care guide for LT235/75r15 and it would have it at a psi between 50 and 55 with dry weight. The max is 51 so that sounds a little dicey if I have water.

HappyCamper2024 · September 16

It's an SL load range, if that makes a difference

HappyCamper2024 · September 16

Here is a copy of my vin placard. The size of the tires on the placard do not match my tires, which were put on by the dealer. Purchased it new 10 months ago.

It's very frustrating that it's so hard to to figure everything out for this camper. Thank God for this forum though.

pthomas745 · September 16

The placard only applies to the tires (or the tire size, at least) that came with the trailer.

This Goodyear page explains how to interpret the tire pressure charts.

Proper Tire Inflation

Correct tire inflation is a key component in tire care. The recommended maximum inflation pressures for your tires are indicated on the certification label or in your owner's manual. Since RVs can be loaded with many different configurations, the load on each tire will vary. For this reason, actual air pressure required should be determined based on the load on each individual tire. Inflation pressure should be adjusted to handle the tire carrying the heaviest load, and all tires on the axle should be adjusted to this standard.

I figure my 2017 320 comes in around 2000-2100 pounds or so. I have my Endurance set at 50PSI.

This is the Goodyear RV tire explainer page.

https://www.goodyearrvtires.com/tire-inflation-loading.aspx

HappyCamper2024 · September 16

I'm the first buyer of this camper, these are the tires the dealer sold it with as a new never been used camper. However, my placard shows a different tire size. I am assuming it's because mine is a small run "signature series" that has some boondock components but not all. Another poster posted an example of the placard and his shows my size tires but I don't know if they are the same sidewall type of what tab he has.

Thanks for the link. I had read that and it brings me back getting the dealer's table on psi by weight. Unfortunately, I can't find a Goodyear psi table that shows my tires. That's why I made the original post, as I found other threads about how these tires were standard when my camper was built. Hoping to find someone who had these tires and found the psi/weight table. Or had these tires and could tell me what psi they use based on their model and then I'll just make a guess based on their weight.

I did find other stuff from Goodyear that said "consult your vin placard", which doesn't work for me since the tires don't match the placard.

I emailed Nucamp, no response yet. If I haven't heard by tomorrow I'll start trying to track down someone at Goodyear. Or maybe call the dealer but they don't seem to be much on details.

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