AIRING DOWN ?

[Ratbert]

I'm usually around 19 or 20 with 33" KO2. After reading about the possibility of popping off the bead I haven't been brave enough to go less than that. If I was stuck in sand the first thing I would do is start going a lot lower.

Except, of course, you need to go faster in deep sand.

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[Kleiss1]

Disconnecting the sway bar helps the ride too.

 

[Wabujitsu]

I’m an outlier; first, I live and wheel in Florida. Second, my street PSI is 28-30, and I don’t air down when I wheel off-road.

I am running 35x12.50 Falken Wildpeak MTs on the stock Rubicon 17x7.5 rims. The tires are “E“ rated.

I have wheeled pretty challenging obstacles and trails. Some of the obstacles are man-made to make them more challenging, including large rocks, tree trunks, etc. I wheel in deep sugar sand and sticky mud/water. I very rarely get stuck, and the rides are relatively comfortable.

When I eventually go out west to AZ and wheel, I will only air down if I get stuck - only fix it when it’s broke. I do always carry what I need to air down and air up, and I have a good winch and a comprehensive recovery kit.

 

[Kleiss1]

It’s not about getting stuck. It’s the ride quality and not bouncing so bad. Welome to Arizona.

 

[Ratbert]

I’m an outlier; first, I live and wheel in Florida. Second, my street PSI is 28-30, and I don’t air down when I wheel off-road.

I am running 35x12.50 Falken Wildpeak MTs on the stock Rubicon 17x7.5 rims. The tires are “E“ rated.

I have wheeled pretty challenging obstacles and trails. Some of the obstacles are man-made to make them more challenging, including large rocks, tree trunks, etc. I wheel in deep sugar sand and sticky mud/water. I very rarely get stuck, and the rides are relatively comfortable.

When I eventually go out west to AZ and wheel, I will only air down if I get stuck - only fix it when it’s broke. I do always carry what I need to air down and air up, and I have a good winch and a comprehensive recovery kit.

You prefer to have the force of those impacts absorbed by your Jeep (and occupants) instead of the tires? You prefer to have sharp objects puncture your tires instead of the tire wrapping around them? I'm not sure that I understand your logic.

 

[Wabujitsu]

You prefer to have the force of those impacts absorbed by your Jeep (and occupants) instead of the tires? You prefer to have sharp objects puncture your tires instead of the tire wrapping around them? I'm not sure that I understand your logic.

John, it’s a matter of degree; all is relative. I have yet to damage my tires, and as I previously said, the rides are relatively comfortable. Also, it helps that Florida, even where the trails and obstacles are man-made, doesn’t have many sharp rocks or other objects that can puncture a tire. It’s a different kind of wheeling down here; it’s one of the reasons I prefaced my last post that I am an outlier.

 

[wibornz]

What the OP should be gathering is that airing down is situational in nature. I run bead lock wheels. With that said, on beaches and dunes, I typically will run about 15 to 10 psi when on the Michigan Silver Lake Sand dunes, the beaches on the outer banks in the Carolinas, the beaches in Florida or the beaches on the Baja Peninsula in Mexico or the beaches in Oregon. On Glamis Dunes in California, I run 3 psi as the sand is super soft. Moab in Utah and the mountains around the south east corner of California I typically run 8 psi. Most of Arizona, I run 10 to 12 psi. Back east in say Windrock or Rausch Creek, I am usually around 15 psi. In many of the western states where the trails may be a little rocky but more like a forest road or season road, I will be up around 18 psi. Think like Black Bear Pass, the Alpine loop. Red Cone, Death Valley, or trails in Big Bend Texas.


Your tire pressure can have a big impact on comfort and traction, and flotation of the tire. This is very noticeable at a place like Silver Lake Sand Dunes. The condition of the sand can change from day to day. If it has rained, the sand is packed and easy to drive on, If if has been dry for a week or two, the sand can get very soft. One would think that just dropping a couple of pounds out of each tire is not that big of a deal, but it is. Going from 30 psi it 15 psi is a 50% reduction in air pressure. Then from 15 to 10 psi is a 33% reduction in air pressure. Then dropping 3 psi from 10 to 7 psi is a 30% reduction. It make a big difference. On the dunes, you could easily be struggling to climb a dune, drop you tire pressure by a couple pounds and then easily climb the dunes. It can have a big impact. Same thing for comfort on the trail. Dropping psi in the tires and take a ride that is chopping and jarring to so a nice smooth ride. The secret is finding the sweet spot.

 

[MerPinXEss]

Well put Wibornz, sweet spot last Jeep had c patigonias, new jeep e Terra raiders. To the op’s point I was originally scared to be under 20, so 20,21,21,22…, then someone said you really need to be around 15 and scared again barely went to 16, as we wheeled more dropping to 15 became comfortable. Now new Jeep and at 15 the sidewalks look like they’re at 30…was told 8-12 after running green tires at 15 with 0 grip, next day tried 13 and amazing difference.

 

[Jeepeto]

Hello
I am a novice Jeepster and wanted some guidance for "Airing Down" my tires for off road adventures

Any insight is appreciated...

What is a good and recommended PSI range to air down to for the best off road performance ?

Is there a "Too Low" PSI value ?

I've been airing down to: 25 rear / 23 front

My Jeep:
JL Rubicon 4xe
33" x 12" BFG A/T KO2 36394 tires
with 17x8.5 Method 305NV wheels

If it’s working and it’s comfy for you you’re in a good spot, if you’re being beat up, I wouldn’t hesitate to go 15-18psi on your setup.

 

[Zandcwhite]

It definitely depends on the terrain and type of wheeling. Mostly rocks I'd go down to 15psi, soft enough without much risk of pushing a bead off. Soft sand you may want to go all the way down to 10psi but I wouldn't be trying any high speed cornering that low. General trail riding 12-13psi will give the best ride and traction, but depending on where we are we may be on and off the road frequently. If that's the case I'll run 17psi as the tires will heat up on the road and end up right around 20psi which I am comfortable rolling freeway speed. 17 is about the least I'll air down to make it worth while.

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