Hi Michael,
I am in agreement with Chris - there must be a problem with your tyre gauge - or you have an old type connector that doesn't lift the Schrader valve, thus giving the pressure needed to lift the valve rather than the pressure in the tube. Assuming you have a 3.25 x 19 front tyre, I would expect 24-26lbs to be plenty. Any more will make the steering very light, and also increase the chance of the front breaking away. I am also puzzled by the fact that you report that the rim is 'dinged' by grounding on potholes, but you don't mention any punctures. I would have expected the tube to get cut before the rim suffered any damage (unless, of course, the rims are old and rusted from the inside, and therefore, close to collapse anyway).
Just for reference, I run my F31 based sprinter with tyre pressures 22 in the front(3.00 x 21 tyre) and 16 -18 in the back (3.50 x 18 tyre) without any problems.
Regards,
Eddie.