Tire Air Pressure in the winter?

[golf_bears]

I have a Mobile Suite 36TK3 5th wheel with 17-1/2” H rated tires. We’re leaving for the RGV in a week. The temperature outside this morning is in the teens. My TPMS indicates the RV tire air pressure in about 75 lbs.

When we travel I check my tires upon departure and air up to about 120 lbs. Max air on the tires is 125 lbs.

It is always suggested to air up when tires are cold. In the summer months airing up to 120 lbs work fine but the outside temperatures then are in the 70’s. Now with the temperatures below freezing what should the tires be aired up to? Do I still air up to 120 lbs but as I travel to warmer climates let air out of tires to maintain 120 lbs?

What do you guys do especially those of you leaving the frigid north for warmer climates?

Thanks in advance and drive safe.

[billr]

I have found that in the below zero temps that I might see 10 or so PSI drop on the trailer tires cold soaked. So around 115PSI or so should be good. Once you reach the warm climate, check and adjust the cold temp in the AM to the 125 PSI. You'll be good to go!

Having one at 75 PSI is an issue. Leak etc. Need to air that guy up

Bill

[jdwilson3]

I always run mine at 125 psi (cold) regardless of the ambient air temp.

[Motor31]

I always run mine at 125 psi (cold) regardless of the ambient air temp.

Ditto here. The idea is to avoid excessive sidewall flex and heat buildup. An under pressure situation will contribute to those problems.

[golf_bears]

Ok, an update. It’s only 15 degrees F out there right now but I had to get out there and check some things out based on some of your input.

Of my four wheels on the RV 3 had the TPMS sensors on them, one did not. The one that did not have a sensor on it was still aired up to 118 lbs. I removed this sensor a few weeks ago because the air pressure was low, around 80 lbs. I aired up the tire to 120 lbs and left to celebrate Thanksgiving with our daughter in the Detroit area. Came back and never checked the tire to see if it was holding air pressure.

My suspicions are that the TPMS sensors are leaking air because the temperatures outside are very cold. All the sensors held air pressure all summer long with no problems. I just got done airing up all four RV tires to 120 lbs and we’ll see what they read out at tomorrow.

If it’s the TPMS sensors leaking I will try wrapping the valve stem with a little Teflon tape to see if they hold air.

Stay tune, I’ll report back tomorrow.

Again, thanks for all your input and suggestions.

[golf_bears]

So here are the test results for today: all four tires on the RV are holding at 120 lbs which is what we aired up to yesterday. So my conclusion is that the TMS sensors are leaking air in this very cold weather.

Next test is to wrap one of the RV tire valve stems with Teflon tape and see what we have tomorrow.

Stay tune, will report back in a few days.

Again, thanks for all your input.

[golf_bears]

Ok, here we are again with some test results. Yesterday I wrapped teflon tape around the thread of one of the valve stem and put the TPMS sensor back on. Today we still have 120 PSI of air pressure in the tire so looks like we stopped the leak. So now I will do the same to the other three tires and see how everything goes. Hope this can be a permanent solution.

My other problem now is trying to shovel out of nearly 8" of snow, with more coming, so we can pack up and head south.

Anyone want to stop by and help shovel me out? Also will need to clean off the RV roof, there's well over 15" on top of it. Vents are covered so not good for black tank gas.

If you show up to help, coffee and donuts on me!!!! Don’t all show up at once, maybe we could work in shifts? LOL

[billr]

Just to clarify, I also run 125psi cold in the tires at all ambient temps. I only notice that at Sub-zero temps I do notice it can be lower by up to 10psi.


Golf bears, Just curious what TPMS do you have?

I'll take the night shift, just wait for me to arrive! :lol:

Bill

[golf_bears]

Bill, I stayed up all night waiting for you to show????? No show so I ate all the donuts myself, LOL.

Here's a link to my system, works great and it looks like teflon tape on the valve stem threads work just fine. Hope the link works, if not copy - paste.

http://www.tsttruck.com/Product_List.html

We got 9.6" of snow, can barely find the RV.

[Jack in Alaska]

golf_bears............

Just hitch up and hit the road at about 70 mph. The snow will be gone before you get to Az.

Drive safe............Jack in Alaska :wink:

[Gemstone]

If it's not against the law to allow snow to fall on a rig, it sure should be.....
It'll never fall on our rig again.

Regards
Gemstone

[Jack in Alaska]

Gemstone,

Mine is in Casa Grande, Arizona and we will be back there in Jan. Just came home for Christmas.

Jack in Alaska (but Rv'ing in Az.)

[golf_bears]

Jack,

Thanks for the words of encouragement, hope to be in Arizona, not sure where yet, next month.

Maybe we'll catch up with you?

Check out pictures of recent storm!

Bill,

Where are you when I need you????


http://public.fotki.com/rjlabonte/2008-may-december/stuckinwisconsinbrr/