What Should I Fill my Tow Vehicle's Tires to While Towing

Published 11/14/2018

Question:

would like to know the tire pressure when hauling a 3000 lbs trailer

asked by: Jeff

Expert Reply:

If I am understanding you correctly, you are asking what the tire pressure should be on the tow vehicle while towing a 3,000 lb trailer, not the what the tire pressure should be on the trailer while hauling 3,000 lbs. If that is the case then there will be a sticker on the door lamb most likely which lists the cold fill ratings for both the front and rear tires. This is the figure you will need to use while towing assuming the gross trailer weight is under the towing capacity of the vehicle. The max tire pressure ratings listed for the vehicle by the manufacturer already take towing into consideration.

If you were instead referring to the max tire pressure rating for the trailer tires then that would be what is listed on the sidewall of the tire, while cold. There is one exception to this rule, the Goodyear Endurance which uses a tire fill chart based on size, load range, and actual load.

When towing, it is always a good idea to have a portable compressor on hand such as the Bulldog Winch Compressor part # BDW41000.

expert reply by: Conner L