Tundra, Norweld and Fleet Camper 8280 lbs

JiminMaine

Advanced Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2024
Posts
54
Location
Maine
We had decent weather this past week here in Maine and decided to have the truck weighed. The Cat scales read 8280 lbs with 3/4 tank of petrol. This includes two adults with absolutely nothing else in the truck or camper. Slightly alarmed at first, the Tundra has been built to take this weight.
I am finding it difficult to find a suitable tyre pressure. I attempted the max E rating when cold (80psi) though the ride was unbearably harsh. I noticed the camper juddering several times. Has any member with a similar build/setup found a comfortable tyre pressure?
 

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Hmm, actually not sure what our combo weighs, but it is a 21 Tundra long bed with an ATC Cougar camper shell on it I built out. Likely lighter than your setup. We run 50# in the front and 55# in the back with Cooper Discover tires and am just about ready to replace them at 53K miles (they have a few thousand left in them but bad roads with sharp rocks are just around the corner). I do deflate them to about #25 when we be on washboard or rough roads for a long stretch.
 
Thanks! I tried 50, 55, 60 front and 55, 60, 65 rear. Etc
Once the truck is ready to hit the road we will be close to 9000 lbs. A member suggested the calk test, which I will do once the salt is off the roads here. In addition I have read all the tyre related posted here on WTW.
 
Chalk test, or an inexpensive pyrometer. Puma/Grandby with lots of gear, full size diesel truck, canoe on top, etc... I run 60 psi front and rear.
 
I had a tundra with an AT Summit on it with Cooper 285/75R18 E rated tires. My truck loaded with lots of gear was very similar to your weight. Not knowing what tires you have I can tell you my tires were rated at 4080#'s at 80 PSI, doing the math those tires are capable of carrying over 12,000 pounds. You have to bring the pressures way down, I used to run mine between 35-40 PSI for a decent ride.

Using a load to pressure chart assuming you had similar rating on your tires you could use the chart and see that your cat scale says you have 1950#'s on each wheel in the front and 2190 #'s on the rear (give or take a little). This chart shows that you could be around 35-40 psi. Keeping in mind the tire pressure will go up @5-8 psi after they get hot. This chart is for Toyo tires but can be used for most tires. This should be a good starting point and I will bet it will agree pretty close with a chalk test.



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Jim, I truly appreciate you taking the time to share a thoughtful response. Also to the members who have reached out privately, thank you!
I too have the same tyres as you. I will try the 35 45 cold test later on today. When we picked up the camper in December all four wheels were at 35psi and the ride was incredibly comfortable. I completely underestimated the factual weight of the camper and as a result went down the rabbit hole. Thanks for the reminder of how much weight the actual tyres are rated for.
 

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We had decent weather this past week here in Maine and decided to have the truck weighed. The Cat scales read 8280 lbs with 3/4 tank of petrol. This includes two adults with absolutely nothing else in the truck or camper. Slightly alarmed at first, the Tundra has been built to take this weight.
I am finding it difficult to find a suitable tyre pressure. I attempted the max E rating when cold (80psi) though the ride was unbearably harsh. I noticed the camper juddering several times. Has any member with a similar build/setup found a comfortable tyre pressure?
Your statement that”the Tundra has been built to take this weight” has me puzzled. Now I know that Toyota makes excellent vehicles. I don’t know what Toyota listed as your payload but I know Tundras don’t have 3500 or 4000 lb payloads. If Toyota built the truck to handle the weight you loaded onto it, why don’t they say so or call it a 3/4 or one ton pickup?
 
It's a great question. However, this has been covered for years on various websites. Possibly here, but certainly Expedition portal. On a stock Tundra you are limited to what the engineer's have designed. As with many similar builds to mine, this Tundra is no longer a stock vehicle. I intend to share a complete build post here on WTW once it's finished. Still have the truck interior to address and a special trip to Woodland, Ca before that happens.
 

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