Tire pressure towing/unloaded BFG KO2’s

I know this has probably been hashed out many times. Just switched out my factory Bridgestone duelers for new Fuel 18 inch rims and BFG KO2 275/65/18 123/120R E rated tires. Discount tire aired me up to 40psi to start. I’ve towed my 5500-6000lb camper around for a year now with the factory Bridgestone with no major issues but had pretty good wear at 47K on them. Looking to find out what tire pressures to run towing and unloaded. I have not done the chalk test yet but i will. I upgraded to these tires specifically for a safer towing experience over the P rated tires. I’ll say the new tires ride much stiffer than the factory tires but I’m good with it and i expected this. These tires are chunky lol. Appreciate any input this forum has helped me a bunch already.

 

Best thing is to know your axle weights unloaded and when towing your trailer .

Psi is based on the amount of load being carried at a given time .

Call BFG with all your specs and ask them ...
I did this with my 10 ply tires . I call Hercules and they gave me the psi to run when unloaded and when towing my trailer ! .

Psi wil differ between tire manufacturers as well.

Best of luck

 

Thanks I’ll give them a call!

 

I ran my KO2's right at what the door said for almost everything. If I was hauling heavy or towing, I would bump the rear up to 40 PSI. The KO2 E rated tires have a much stiffer sidewall than my current Toyo AT3's.

 

I like running 35 to 38 psi cold for a comfortable ride unloaded.

 

Thanks gents, i did contact BFG and they are recommending 43 front 46 rear for non towing. Said to call my tire dealer (Discount Tire) for towing recommended pressure. I’ve got them up to 46 all around right now and its stiffer than the factory tires were but the ride is not bad. I am def noticing less body roll or wallowing on turns. Also have some steering wheel vibration around 60mph that dissipates as i drive faster or slower. I may bump the pressures down some then go back up to 45-46 when i tow the camper.

 

That sounds like a "legal" answer from BFG. For normal driving, I always have run a few pounds less in the rear of my trucks over the past 20 years. Keep in mind that I don't typically carry heavy loads for more than a few miles.

 

43 to 46 cold that's quite a lot imo. You gonna get over 50 psi when hot. Thats gonna be painful driving over bumps

 

Lol yup I’m feeling them now. I think I’m gonna go ahead and air down some from where I’m at now.

 

Try taking just the rears to 40 and see how that feels. I have always felt that the rear tire pressure on a truck is the one that makes the bumps hurt.

 

I recently posted about how Falken provides recommneded pressures and they speak to Factor of Safety (FoS).

Based on door label pressures, with scaled unloaded weights, per axle, and stock 20" wheel/tire combo had a FoS 1.3.

Going larger sidewall and towing, they recommended a FoS of 1.5 and provided the different PSI based on my axle weights that i provided them with (again, based on scales).

I then chalk tested and the numbers were great. Hope this helps the discussion.

 

Found these psi and weights a few years ago. Copied them down and seems to work. Always add extra psi though for stability especially when towing.
For me, I normally run 47 psi. Think that is the psi the TRD Pros run, not sure though. Towing 7000 lb TT and crap in bed is 50-55 psi. Forest roads 30-35 psi.

 

Door sticker on my BFGs states 46. I run them closer to 50. Anything less and my light comes on in winter. I have 70k on them now and not at wear bars. Tows my 5000lb boat fine. The tires are OEM on TSS Off Road

 

I ran those same tires last set. Unloaded i ran 45 front, 40 rear usually. Towing i upped the rear to 55

 

Got the same tires and tire size, everyday driving I keep them at 35. When I tow my travel trailer about 5k lbs I put 45 all around and it was firm but not uncomfortable. I mean they are rated for 80 PSI but I’m not airing it up anywhere near that.

 

This is good to know. Thanks for the info. My tires are E rated and go up to 80. I'm prepping for a long cross country road trip and aired them all up to 50 psi. I might let 5 psi out of each tire.

 

I been trying to run 35 for comfort and wear but the light comes up on mornings for the side away from the sun. Annoying. So I'll go to 40. I have ran them. Around 50 as well but haven't noticed much difference from 40.

 

I ended up bumping down to 40 all around and it gave a much softer ride but noticed a dip in fuel economy. Bumped back up to 45 all around and gained alittle bit back but the ride is noticeably stiffer with just 5lbs higher.

 

I think 40 is the happy medium for all things considered. I never noticed a dip in fuel around 50-40 but from 40 to 35 i did, albeit very slight that i am sure the offset in tire wear would break even.

 

easiest way to get in the ballpark of PSI to run when using tires other than what came on a vehicle stock is to use this tool. It really does a good job and then you can adjust a few lbs up or down from there depending on load, towing, etc.

 

Nice. Looks like 40 is the go to number now.

 

Good thread. I’m running my BFG KO2S at 45 psi. That what BFG says to do, so I figured they know what they are talking about. I think the max psi is 65 on mine.