Thread: Recommended on-road tyre pressures

I've wrestled with this question a little myself. When I first got the puma 110 I ran 30's to 32 all way around then noticed the plate suggested 30 front, 48 back when loaded. I'm either carrying a lot of tools in the back (for work), or camping gear (for play) so I'm generally carrying a bit of a load. I'm running the standard Continentals (AT 235/85-16) and find them pretty good for my requirements (easy to somewhat difficult off road but not extreme, 80% on the black stuff)

My research concluded that matching "foot print" is more important than tyre pressure when matching front to back so I started with about 30 to 32 on the front and measured the foot print. To get a similar foot print on the back I needed about 45 psi. I agree it makes the ride a little harder but it makes cornering more stable, especially at highway speed, in my opinion.

So my advice would be, set the front to say 28psi for comfort, or 32psi if you like a harder ride, then match the foot print of the the backs to the fronts. Then test drive, test drive, test drive (which is the best part) till you find the level you like.

I do drop pressures a lot when off road. Say 25 front, 35 back for dirt road and the like, and 20/22 front 28/31 back for other stuff, depends on surface and conditions, even lower for soft sand.

Rob

Those placard pressures don't allow for the fitment of bull bars, winches, spotlights ect on the front end. But do allow for a full load in the back. So it's all about finding the natural balance for your landrover, I like about 32 psi all round day to day, but that's just me

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Thanks for all the comments - it's been interesting to hear the different perspectives. The comment about the bull bar was something I hadn't thought of. I'd heard the tyre foot print in relation to matching trailer tyre pressures to vehicle tyre pressures, but hadn't considered it in relation to front/rear pressures.

Several comments were made about the 48psi rear pressure noted on the placard as being for "load carrying". The plackard actually specifies 48psi for light loads (2-4 people) and a whopping 65psi when fully loaded with 4 people plus luggage plus trailer:

Tyre pressure is always a compromise, which means there is no "right" pressure. Handling and fuel economy demand higher pressures, ride demands lower, as does traction - but not so low that tyres move on the rims or sidewalls are damaged. Tyre manufacturers demand higher pressures so that they get fewer tyre failures and longer life. And some vehicles require specific pressures to avoid handling problems.

To some extent it will depend on the type of tyre, and I have been told by one tyre repairer that LT tyres should never be run below 65!

My 110 has placarded pressures from 35/35 unloaded and below 105kph up to 60/65 with a load of over one tonne and travelling over 120kph.

In practice, I run at 35/35 lightly loaded and go up to 40/50 at full load, maybe 40/55 if towing as well.

John

er umm wonder where that placard was on my defa. must have faded....