Just wondering what are the best tyre pressures for caravan towing.

I have always used the higher pressures indicated for the full passenger load + luggage, but what do others do?

Same as you I put mine to the max as on the filler flap

On all my cars I have always gone higher but not up to the fully loaded figure. 

 

It's very rare we load the car fully, certainly not the same as 5 people and a boot full of luggage. There's only two of us.

 

So I'll look at what's in the car and say another 80kg on the tow ball, probably go half way between the unloaded and fully loaded figures.

 

Lee

I have always upped the pressures to maximum, even though the van is only running at 50/55kg noseweight the boot and back seats are usually full.

Recently I have managed to get away for odd weekends and have ran the van and car with little in, but have continued to keep the tyre pressures to maximum.

 

Colin

Run mine at the upper figure on the fuel cap and never had a problem.

Just wondering what are the best tyre pressures for caravan towing.

I have always used the higher pressures indicated for the full passenger load + luggage, but what do others do?

Same as you, front and back. But unlike a Jaguar driver we saw we don't

alter the pressures for the solo car while we are away.

Correct! You just take more care...

Always run mine on the loaded tyre pressures and had issues.

Always run mine on the loaded tyre pressures and had issues.

 

Is there a word missing here?

Yep Graham, it should have read NO issues. Thanks for the correction.

I might add that once I'd pitched the van I tried getting away without reducing the tyre pressure but it nearly always proved to be an uncomfortable experience. I found carrying a small electric tyre pump very usefull to pump up the car tyres before leaving with the van.

The other obvious thing is also to make sure the van tyre pressures are correct as this can make a real misery of towing if it's wrong. It's so obvious getting the van tyre pressure correct but looking around various parks we used over the years you'd often see tyres that looked under inflated.

 It's so obvious getting the van tyre pressure correct but looking around various parks we used over the years you'd often see tyres that looked under inflated.

 

Underinflated, wrong load rating and over 5 years old with cracked side walls. See it all the time.

 

Tyre failure is the biggest cause of trailer accidents. (Closely followed by incorrect loading).

 

Lee

Hi there!

We always go with the maximum listed on the B pillar or filler flap. Absolutely no issues with our 170 4x4 Yeti 'ballasted' to 1950kg towing our boat trailer with a nose weight of 80kg and an all up mass of 2050kg (according to the local weigh bridge!).

Tows like a dream, but very 'fidgety' once you revert to normal without the weight with the higher tyre pressures. +1 for a decent gauge and electric tyre pump.

Hope this helps, M