Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Cheryl, per your numbers from the axle weighings,  your rig weighs pretty close to what my TK does when it’s loaded for the road. I run 65 in the fronts and 70 in the rears. You might try those inflation numbers as starting points and see how your rig drives/feels.

I met Ken Fears a few times when out on trips, and we exchanged occasional personal messages on LD topics. He encouraged me to get a TPMS for my rig back in 2019, which I did. In late March of this year, I sent Ken a message asking for his advice on tire pressure and alarming on my TPMS prior to a trip to Florida. As always, he was generous with his knowledge and time. I'm sure if he were still with us he would have spoken up about this topic, so will share here my questions, and his replies.

Just like you, I met Ken here in Las Cruces and he was the reason I bought my first TPMS.  I'm saddened by his passing as he was such a kind and helpful person.

I wrote to Ken: "I've read some people over-pressure their tires slightly (5 psi), in case of a small leak. It seems to me this may be okay if one were going to remain in the same ambient temperature range, but if one were going to be, as I will, driving into warmer climes, this could likely result in over-pressure at some point, having to let air out. When I check mine cold, (TPMS), if they're a few pounds low, I know when I start driving, the pressure's going to come up, so don't worry too much about that. My 23' is light, I don't carry much of anything other than us, clothes, food, and bikes. Starting with full water but everything else empty. How do you handle your tire pressure, what goes into your decisions?"

Ken's reply:  "I am running Michelins with a pressure limit of 80 PSI.  I contacted them about my 93 PSI reading (see below), and they said that was fine, that they take heating and expansion into consideration when they set the 80 psi limit.  They said to set it cold, within the tire limits, and not worry about it.  I accept that, sort of…" 

Exactly my concern and question as I would be setting the TPMS to a PSI that is over the limit.

"My 27’ is loaded close to its limit on all 4 corners.  Per the Michelin chart, my front should be between 65 and 70, and the rears between 70 and 75.  So, running them at 70 and 75 is not much over the Michelin table.  So why do I run a little higher?  Handling. When I started traveling I went with 65 and 70, and I had a lot of lateral drift.  I was always doing micro-corrections.  At 70 and 75, my rig is much more stable."

I wrote to Ken: "My other question is about the TPMS system and alarming. I have my low pressure alarm set at 15%, this results in an 'alert' at 9%. If I increase to 20%, it alerts at 13%. I have the high pressure alarm set for 25%. I think I had it at 20%, but when driving in high ambient temperatures at highway speeds, I was getting occasional alarms. I run the front tires at 65 psi and the rears at 75 psi."

Ken's reply: "Let’s do the easy one first - the alarm settings.  I would be able to feel a pull if one of my front tires was down 10%.  I know, because I have.  Still, that sounds like a reasonable number to me.  My pressures are set at 70 and 75, and I will frequently get an inside rear high pressure warning showing 93, especially on a long, hot day.  So, my high pressure warning is set at 25%, and I am ok with that."

Apparently I was able to vocalize my concerns and have someone understand.  Thank you so much for sharing and your reply "calmed" my fears.  It seems that Ken is still helping us in the afterlife...  Thank you so very much for your detailed conversation questions you had with Ken - more than you know... 

I hope this is helpful.

Bill

Cheryl - No one that I am familiar with on this site would ever be critical of you for your recent post.
You are amazing in what you have accomplished with your rig during these terrible times, and health issues.
Keep reaching out to all of us.  It is an absolute pleasure to read an honest fact filled request for answers.
You my dear person are an inspiration to us all.  And those of us who continue to learn from this site are truly grateful.
Most respectfully,
Tony R. (aka codefour)