How close to the maximum load on your tires would you go?

[toph99]

i have a 2000 alero which came stock with BF Goodrich Touring TA's, they have a max load rating of 640kg's, and have 500kg's on them(very front heavy car). The fronts always look low in pressure, as they bulge out a lot. Even at 35psi(30 is factory) they still look like they only have 20psi in them. Are they ok that close to the max load? i can't convince my dad to get some better ones(they suck horribly in snow). any opinions?

 

[toph99]

oh come on, someone has to know something about tires

 

[Evadman]

Ummm... over the limit. I had 1 pallet of concrete and 1 of rocks in my truck. ( not full pallets, but close ) I was over the limit by a bunch. Of course I did not speed or go above 40 for the 5 minute trip back from Home Depot.

remember, that max load is at max rated speed too.( @ max pressure ) Plus the engineers know that stupid people ( like me ) will overload them. That is the reason my truck did not collapse even with just about 3x the load rating in the bed.

 

[d33pt]

i'm sure they'll be ok.. if these are your OEM tires, then the engineers must have taken all these factors into account before they chose the tires.. also don't run more pressure than is recommended by the manual... radial tires always look flat..

 

[toph99]

<< i'm sure they'll be ok.. if these are your OEM tires, then the engineers must have taken all these factors into account before they chose the tires.. also don't run more pressure than is recommended by the manual... radial tires always look flat.. >>



these are REALLY low though, enough so that my friend thought i had a flat when he saw it in the parking lot. I'll try to get some pictures later. makes turing the steeringwheel at low speed a PITA because so much rubber is rubbing

 

[Muadib]

Are you sure your tire gauge is correct?

 

[Koing]

I'd stick with whatever the manual says. Better be safe then sorry. It would have had numerous tests and checks and they came to those figures they gave you. I'd stick with them. If it looks flat then its still okay if your following what the manual says.

 

[toph99]

<< Are you sure your tire gauge is correct? >>



close enough, i have my little cheap one, and the one on the air compressor, both gave the same readings

 

[RossMAN]

Take some picts of your tires at various angles then post them.

 

[N8Magic]

<< Take some picts of your tires at various angles then post them. >>

 

[yakko]

<< I'd stick with whatever the manual says. Better be safe then sorry. It would have had numerous tests and checks and they came to those figures they gave you. I'd stick with them. If it looks flat then its still okay if your following what the manual says. >>

Even if you drive a Ford Explorer and the tire manufacturer says to run more to avoid tire damage.