How to Find the Correct Tire Pressure for Goodyear Fuel Max RSA RV Tires

Cut to the Chase

Based on your 2008 Winnebago Sightseer 29R's actual weights (6,020 lbs front, 11,220 lbs rear) and your new Goodyear Fuel Max RSA 245/70R19.5 Load Range H tires, you should run 75-80 psi in the front tires and 90-95 psi in the rear tires, not the 100 psi the dealer set. Your instinct to drop the pressure is absolutely correct. The Load Range H tires you have can handle 3,970 lbs per tire at 110 psi maximum, but running them at proper pressure for your actual weight will dramatically improve ride quality, handling, and tire longevity while still maintaining a significant safety margin.

The reason your towing handling feels compromised with the current 100 psi setting is that overinflated tires reduce the contact patch with the road, creating a "bouncy" ride that translates poorly when managing the additional weight and dynamics of your towed CR-V. Your previous G670RV tires at 85-90 psi were likely closer to optimal for your rig's weight distribution, which explains the better towing characteristics you experienced.

The TRA generic table your dealer used is meant as a starting point, but it doesn't account for your specific axle weights. With your front axle carrying 3,010 lbs per tire and rear axle carrying 2,805 lbs per tire, you're well within the Load Range H capacity, allowing you to optimize pressure for performance rather than simply maxing out for theoretical safety.

The Why Behind It

Tire pressure for motorhomes isn't a one-size-fits-all situation, despite what many dealers suggest. The Goodyear Fuel Max RSA in your size and load range has a maximum capacity that should be verified against current Goodyear specifications and tire sidewall markings, but that doesn't mean you should run maximum pressure. Your actual tire loading is significantly less than maximum capacity: front tires are loaded to 76% of capacity and rear tires to approximately 71% of claimed capacity (pending manufacturer verification) based on your scale weights.

Load Range H tires use a different pressure-to-load relationship than the Load Range G tires that were likely on your coach originally. The H-rated tires have a higher load capacity ceiling, which means they can carry the same weight at lower pressures while maintaining their structural integrity and safety margins. This is precisely why your ride quality improved when switching from the G670RV tires - the Fuel Max RSA construction is designed to perform optimally at pressures that would be insufficient for lesser load-rated tires.

The physics of tire contact patches directly impacts your RV's handling characteristics. When tires are overinflated relative to their load, the center of the tread bears most of the weight, creating a smaller contact patch and reducing traction. This is especially problematic when towing, as the additional weight transfer and lateral forces require maximum tire-to-road contact for stability. Your observation about compromised towing handling at 100 psi versus better control with the G670s at 85-90 psi perfectly illustrates this principle.

Temperature effects also play a crucial role in proper pressure management. Tire pressure typically increases 1-2 psi for every 10°F increase in ambient temperature, though this can vary by tire construction and initial pressure, and running pressures can increase 10-15 psi above cold inflation pressure during highway driving. Starting with excessively high cold pressures means your running pressures could exceed 115 psi, which not only creates harsh ride quality but can actually reduce tire life due to excessive heat buildup and uneven wear patterns.

Prep Work

Before adjusting your tire pressures, you'll need to gather the proper equipment and verify your current setup. Most importantly, check the maximum pressure rating on your tire sidewalls and consult current Goodyear load/pressure tables for your specific tire model to ensure any pressure adjustments remain within safe operating parameters. Start with a high-quality tire pressure gauge capable of reading up to 120 psi accurately - the pencil-style gauges from gas stations aren't precise enough for RV applications. A digital gauge with a flexible hose extension will make checking dual rear tires much easier and provide readings accurate to within 0.5 psi.

Verify your scale weights are current by checking when you last weighed the coach fully loaded for travel. Your current weights of 6,020 lbs front and 11,220 lbs rear should reflect your typical travel configuration, including fresh water, propane, food, clothing, and all gear you normally carry. If it's been more than a year since weighing, or if you've made significant changes to your loading, consider getting a fresh weight ticket before making pressure adjustments.

Document your current tire pressures before making changes. Check and record the pressure in each tire when they're cold (before driving or at least three hours after driving). This baseline will help you evaluate the effects of pressure changes on ride quality and handling. Also note the outside temperature when taking measurements, as you'll want to recheck pressures if weather conditions change significantly.

Prepare a tire pressure adjustment plan that staggers changes over several trips. Rather than dropping from 100 psi to 80 psi immediately, plan to reduce pressures by 10 psi increments and test drive between adjustments. This methodical approach lets you find the sweet spot for your specific rig and driving style while avoiding potential issues from dramatic pressure changes.

Step by Step

Begin your pressure optimization with the front tires, as they have the most direct impact on steering feel and ride quality. Start by reducing front tire pressure from 100 psi to 90 psi when tires are cold. With your front axle weight of 6,020 lbs (3,010 lbs per tire), this pressure should be verified against manufacturer load tables for actual safety margin while improving contact patch size and ride comfort.

For the rear tires, reduce pressure from 100 psi to 95 psi initially. Your rear axle weight of 11,220 lbs (5,610 lbs per tire) requires higher pressure than the fronts, but 95 psi still provides a 29% safety margin. This pressure reduction should noticeably improve ride quality over bumps and expansion joints while maintaining proper load support for your heaviest axle.

Test drive your rig for at least 50 miles at highway speeds after the initial pressure reduction, paying attention to steering response, ride comfort, and overall stability. Monitor tire temperatures using an infrared thermometer if available - properly inflated tires should run warm but not hot, with temperatures relatively even across the tread width. Excessive heat buildup indicates underinflation, while cool-running tires might indicate the opposite.

If the initial pressure reduction improves ride quality without compromising handling, proceed with further reductions in 5 psi increments. Drop front tires to 85 psi and rear tires to 90 psi, then repeat your test drive evaluation. Continue this process until you find the optimal balance between ride comfort and handling precision, but don't go below 75 psi front or 85 psi rear given your axle weights.

Pay special attention to towing characteristics during your pressure optimization process. Hook up your CR-V and test towing performance at each pressure setting, noting steering stability, braking effectiveness, and overall control feel. The optimal pressure for solo driving might need slight upward adjustment for towing, as the additional tongue weight and aerodynamic forces require enhanced tire performance.

Document your final pressure settings and create a maintenance schedule for regular pressure checks. Motorhome tires should be checked monthly when in use and before any long trips. Record pressures, temperatures, and any handling observations for future reference. Record temperatures and mileage in a log to track trends and identify slow leaks early. Establish your personal pressure standards for different conditions: solo driving, towing, seasonal temperature variations, and maximum loading scenarios.

Beyond Your Garage

Understanding tire load and inflation tables becomes crucial for long-term RV ownership, especially when traveling in different climates and load conditions.en the manufacturer doesn't provide specific guidance for your tire model. The TRA standards your dealer referenced establish minimum pressures for maximum loads, but they don't optimize for real-world performance. Contact Goodyear directly through their commercial tire division for load/inflation data specific to the Fuel Max RSA - they may have internal technical bulletins that dealers don't routinely access.

Consider investing in a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) designed for RV applications. These systems provide real-time pressure and temperature readings for all tire positions, alerting you to gradual leaks or pressure loss before they become critical. Many RV-specific TPMS units can be programmed with custom pressure ranges based on your optimized settings, providing peace of mind during travel.

Seasonal pressure adjustments become more important with optimized pressures than with maximum pressure settings. Plan to adjust pressures by 3-5 psi for temperature swings greater than 30°F from your baseline setting temperature. Keep a pressure log that correlates outside temperature with measured cold tire pressures to establish your personal adjustment guidelines.

Build relationships with tire service providers who understand RV applications rather than relying solely on truck tire shops that focus on maximum load scenarios. Many Goodyear commercial dealers have RV experience and access to technical resources that standard automotive shops lack. Establish service relationships at destinations you visit regularly, ensuring you have knowledgeable support for pressure adjustments, rotations, and emergency repairs.

Monitor tire wear patterns closely with your optimized pressures to validate your settings over time. Properly inflated tires should wear evenly across the tread width with gradual depth reduction. Center wear indicates overinflation, while edge wear suggests underinflation. Uneven wear between dual rear tires might indicate pressure imbalances or alignment issues that require professional attention.

Plan for load changes that might require pressure adjustments during extended trips. If you regularly add significant weight during travel (water tanks filled at different levels, additional passengers, or cargo pickup), establish pressure guidelines for these scenarios. Your current optimization works for your weighed configuration, but a 500-pound water load increase might require 5-10 psi pressure increases to maintain optimal performance.