Can I run less air pressure in tires

jess7977 · October 27, 2006

I just got a 2000 4X4 silverado reg cab, short bed. It has BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO tires in 245-75R16. The sticker on the door says this is the correct size, and to put 35 psi . The ride of this truck is pretty firm. It has stock suspension. I was wondering if I could run less tire pressure in the tires to get a softer ride. Will this cause any dangerous effects. I ask this because they are off road tires, and I dont go off road. Not even Highway speeds, mostly just around town no higher than 50 mph. What tire pressure do you guys recommend me to run. I apologize for this being so long, just wanted to get all the info across. Thanks for any help in this matter.

HyperBuzzin · October 27, 2006

If you lower the tire pressure, you'll also lower the MPG.

95Sierra2500 · October 27, 2006

You'll get lower MPG and potentially cause wear issues. The BFG AT TAKO'S are designed to perform well in 'aired down' situations, but only OFF ROAD, not on the highway. If you really want a softer ride from your truck, I'd suggest getting different tires. Otherwise, I'd recommend you run those tires at about 35 PSI or you risk ruining them.

asilverblazer · October 27, 2006

If you run your truck empty you could lower the air pressure in the rear, simply because there is no weight back there. With in reason of course. I'd say about 28 P.S.I. If your truck is an Extended Cab Short bed the weight bias is roughly 60% on the front tires and 40% on the rear. Since the front tires weight really never changes, that "recommended" pressure would be a constant. Therefore 20% less weight in the rear translates to 20% lower tire pressure or about 28 P.S.I. Anybody else smell what I'm stepping in? This is strictly for an unloaded Ext-Cab Shortbed 1/2 ton...

jess7977 · October 28, 2006

Thanks again for all your info. I intend to get some new tires for it. These BFG's are pretty well worn out. I drive with nothing in the bed, so I will run 28 psi in the back and 35 psi in the front. I am glad to have found this site. Lots of great info!

icecoldtexan · November 3, 2006

Thanks again for all your info. I intend to get some new tires for it. These BFG's are pretty well worn out. I drive with nothing in the bed, so I will run 28 psi in the back and 35 psi in the front. I am glad to have found this site. Lots of great info!

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My door decal says 80psi to front and rear tires. Tires say 80psi max.

asilverblazer · November 3, 2006

Is it an HD? Similar principles apply depending on the weight the tire has to carry. 80 P.S.I. Carrying maximum amount of weight makes sense.

Silverado4x4 · November 23, 2006

Man dont mess with the BFG's get the bridgestone revo's there a great tire and grip like tank tracks I have them and had BFG's and these out perform BFG's hands down.

95Sierra2500 · November 23, 2006

Man dont mess with the BFG's get the bridgestone revo's there a great tire and grip like tank tracks I have them and had BFG's and these out perform BFG's hands down.

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I hate to be a nay-sayer, but I had to pull out 2 trucks this year deer hunting. Both were running the REVOs. I went in with my General Grabber AT2's (identical tread to BFG TA KO's) and yanked 'em out with no problems. Lesson: for real off-road capabilities, you need real off-road tires, not highway tires with an off-road designation.

Silverado4x4 · November 24, 2006

Yeah you might have pulled them out but you were not in the same spot they were prob on solid ground to pull them out so that doesnt mean that your tires are better then theres,after you pulled them out did you try and go through the same spot they were stuck in and see if you made it out? They may have been bottomed out on the ground and if that happens I dont care what kind of tire you have your not going anywhere. BFG AT are not good mud tires as they pack up pretty fast due to close tread design, BFGs are are not a real off-road tire as you say and Revos are hardly not a highway tire.