Tyre Pressures

dmiller555
dmiller555 Forum Participant Posts: 717
500 Comments
edited January 2017 in Towcars & Towing #1

I have two questions:

I wonder how many with caravans change their tyre pressures between towing and not towing?

I ask because the recommended tyre pressures for my VW Passat varies between 33psi all round for two people to 36 front and 41 rear when fully laden with 4 people and luggage, which is quite a difference.

I have little idea what will constitute correct pressure when towing with two people plus luggage in the car and 75kg noseweight so I'm currently using 35psi front and 40psi rear, does that seem about right?

 

Comments

  • richardandros
    richardandros Club Member Posts: 2,681 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2017 #2

    There has been a discussion on this before and perhaps it's been lost along with a lot of other things when the forum was 'upgraded'. I know a lot of people will disagree with me but I religiously stick to correct tyre pressures dependent upon whether towing or not. My Touareg varies between 33psi on the back for light loads to 44psi with full load which, like your Passat is a big difference.  Since we are usually away for at least a week, I deflate the tyres to their normal pressure once on site - to allow for sightseeing trips etc and then increase the pressure again before we set off back. With the pump that came with the car it's not a big issue and only takes a few minutes.

    I always assume that with the awning and all the other heavy gear in the car, it is running at 'full load' and therefore take it up to the full recommended pressure for four/five adults plus luggage etc. 

    Notwithstanding any additional tyre wear caused by incorrect pressures, it is also an important safety issue to have them correctly inflated and I know from my past experience that if there is a serious accident, one of the first things checked by accident investigators are the tyre pressures.

  • johnfos
    johnfos Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited January 2017 #3

    As Richardandros says, it is no hardship to change pressures whilst on site and it just becomes part of the routine of getting ready to leave site. I don't see why such a simple thing should be ignored in light of the possible consequences.

  • ChrisRogers
    ChrisRogers Forum Participant Posts: 435
    edited January 2017 #4

    Always increase the car tyre pressures when towing and then decrease when going off solo, not a problem. Car fully loaded and towing 35psi front, 44psi rear, solo 32psi all round, as per handbook.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited January 2017 #5

    I tried changing them years ago, but now don't ... I just leave them at the solo pressures. Not had a problem.

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2017 #6

    My LandRover is 32psi all round, either with me or fully laden as per the plate on the door pillar and repeated for towing in the manual. So no, they stay as they are but not everything is made equal .

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
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    edited January 2017 #7

    I always adjust, can make a noticeable difference to stability. However if only away for a few days I do not reduce the pressures in between. 

  • dmiller555
    dmiller555 Forum Participant Posts: 717
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    edited January 2017 #8

    Thank you for your replies. I shall continue changing pressures as I have a small battery driven pump it's not too much trouble; just have to remember to do it as part of the hitching procedure. 

  • Mitsi Fendt
    Mitsi Fendt Forum Participant Posts: 484
    100 Comments
    edited January 2017 #9

    Varies from vehicle to vehicle. The tyres are the only bit of the vehicle in contact with the ground. Tyre condition and pressures are very important.

  • volvoman9
    volvoman9 Forum Participant Posts: 1,053
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    edited January 2017 #10

    AS long as my tyres are at their stated pressure thats fine for me.Never had any issue with tyre pressure and towing.

    v9

  • Michael Lyon
    Michael Lyon Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited July 2019 #11

    I think many folk are forgetting that the front tyres need the max pressure too .. there's a very heavy load on them when breaking and that's when I want best grip.  So, please suffer a slightly more taught ride and be safe.  It might also improve your mpg.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,138 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #12

    Goodness, another ancient thread resurrected.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,426 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #13

    yes I thought that, how does it happen?

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited July 2019 #14

     ..... braking 😉

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,426 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2019 #15

    actually over inflated tyres have less grip and therefore less stopping power and also lead to more wear in the centre.

  • ocsid
    ocsid Forum Participant Posts: 1,395
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    edited July 2019 #16

    IMO, the really important aspect of increasing, particularly the tow vehicle's rear tyre pressure, is to increase the overall lateral stiffness.

    This stiffness being a fundamental "driver" in improving the whole unit's stability.

    The odd extra sub 100 kgs load added is of relatively little relevance, that's only the value of a single fat person on the rear seat.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited July 2019 #17

    100kg = 'fat'? surprisedsurprised I'm not far from 100 (maybe 95) but am far from fat! tongue-out

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
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    edited July 2019 #18

    Its interesting to note tyre pressures on a current Volvo XC60 are 1-3 passengers 230 back and front, 3-Max load is 270 back and front including towing and an ECO Pressure is 270 back and front (disregard no units). My point being it suggests that there is no reason why you shouldn't leave tyres at your towing pressure whilst away, the only negative effect is the harder ride.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited July 2019 #19
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited July 2019 #20

    The last time I up'd my tow car's tyre pressures I nipped into town on the increased pressures  ...... it was all over the place, verging on dangerous. I just leave my tow cars tyre pressure on the min now

  • penguinpete
    penguinpete Forum Participant Posts: 38
    edited July 2020 #21

    Hi guys I'm really confused as I have a 2017 4x4 korando great tow car but psi in all 4 tyres 32, that is all it says in the book, nothing about towing or fully laden or even ECO pressures. If someone who has a korando could advise or even someone who knows I would be really grateful.

  • Vulcan
    Vulcan Forum Participant Posts: 670
    edited July 2020 #22

    Some vehicles do not require a change in pressure, as I remember Freelander 2 was the same.

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2020 #23

    Opening the drivers door, is there not a plate on the 'B' pillar.

  • penguinpete
    penguinpete Forum Participant Posts: 38
    edited July 2020 #24

    I have looked in the book and there is only 32psi all round. The tyres on the korando look like they run nearly flat as it is and they role very extensively if any weight on the back.

  • twocals
    twocals Forum Participant Posts: 117 ✭✭
    edited July 2020 #25

     I have looked in the book and there is only 32psi all round. The tyres on the korando look like they run nearly flat as it is and they role very extensively if any weight on the back. Hi, have the 4x4 and run at 36 psi all the tlme, towing and solo. Hand book says increase by 5 psi if traveling a long way!! Very informative. Don't forget to rotate every 5,000 miles as per book. Loads of info on www.ssangyongclub.co.uk

  • twocals
    twocals Forum Participant Posts: 117 ✭✭
    edited July 2020 #26

    Hi penguinpete, sorry post muddled thought i had highlighted your post.

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