Airing tires down

[Jillybean1]

Jeep newbie here. I've always wanted a jeep and finally got one! Super excited to take it out on the beach and some back country trails. I have been reading that I should air the tires down to around 15 Lb for the sand. I'm not sure how to do that and what do you use to air them back up with? I want to do it as simply as possible. Thanks in advance for any helpful tips you may have.

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[Left Field]

Airing down tires in its simplest form is just unscrewing the valve stem cap on each tire and pressing the little pin inside to release air. For me, on 33 in tires, it takes about 75seconds per tire to get down to 20 psi. To air back up, again in its simplest form, is to bring a portable 12V air compressor.

Minimum equipment is a pressure gauge, a pencil type works fine and a portable compressor.

Lots of options out there for compressors, but ViaAir would be a solid choice. They have a guide to select the right compressor based on your tire size. The 12V power outlet 'plug-in' ones will be -very- slow; best to get one that connects direct to your battery.

ViaAir link
https://www.viaircorp.com/tech/choosing-the-right-portable-2

Pressure gauge: Any parts store, Walmart or Home Depot etc.

The pencil type gauges have a peg on the top that is useful for releasing air through your tire valve stems.

I often just air down to 20 PSI, it gives me the option of some limited non-freeway highway driving if needed. Sometimes to the nearest filling station if an easier fill.

Congrats on the new Jeep and welcome to the family

LF

Jeep newbie here. I've always wanted a jeep and finally got one! Super excited to take it out on the beach and some back country trails. I have been reading that I should air the tires down to around 15 Lb for the sand. I'm not sure how to do that and what do you use to air them back up with? I want to do it as simply as possible. Thanks in advance for any helpful tips you may have.

 

[dragoneggs]

Lots of options from cheap to awesomeness. Depending on your amount of use, you might want a simple portable air compressor or onboard air.

For airing down, can start here...
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=tire+def...s,184&ref=nb_sb_ss_pltr-ranker-acceptance_2_8

 

[zw470]

I use these to air down and a 12v compressor to air back up.

 

[Jillybean1]

Thank you everyone!! Can't wait to go shopping and get out on the beach now! I really appreciate these threads. I have so much to learn and these are so helpful!

 

[DOOKEY]

For airing down I use this type. Have had the same one for 15 years so they're durable.

https://www.amazon.com/Boulder-Tool...=&sprefix=tire+def,aps,184&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1

For airing up I use the Viair 450p. It's a beast.

 

[rcadden]

As with anything Jeep related, you can go all-out, or you can just get the job done.

As you're just starting out, my recommendation would be a Viair, as well - I have the 400p. Good balance of cost and function. The Viair also includes an inline deflator and pressure gauge, but I recommend you pick up a stand-alone one. Mine is a "slime" one from AutoZone - think it was ~$15-20.

So you get to the trailhead, air all four tires down to ~20 psi, have fun, and then use the Viair to get back up to ~35 psi and hit the road home.

I keep mine at 35psi cold, but you should run a chalk test to see the best psi for your setup. Search "tire chalk test" on YouTube - super easy.

 

[Opus]

The Viair is a good affordable option. If you want to keep it simple, though, you can always go with one of these:

Just make sure to eat your Wheaties...

 

[Jeepeto]

I used these for years with my last rig on 35x12.5” tires. Won’t break the bank and they work great.

Air down
Real 4X4 4 Tire Air Deflators for... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077JGKYG4?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share


Air up
Viair 00088 88P Portable Air... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ASY23I?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[Jillybean1]

As with anything Jeep related, you can go all-out, or you can just get the job done.

As you're just starting out, my recommendation would be a Viair, as well - I have the 400p. Good balance of cost and function. The Viair also includes an inline deflator and pressure gauge, but I recommend you pick up a stand-alone one. Mine is a "slime" one from AutoZone - think it was ~$15-20.

So you get to the trailhead, air all four tires down to ~20 psi, have fun, and then use the Viair to get back up to ~35 psi and hit the road home.

I keep mine at 35psi cold, but you should run a chalk test to see the best psi for your setup. Search "tire chalk test" on YouTube - super easy.

Good to know about the chalk test. Thank you!!

 

[txj2go]

I use my house key to air down- push it into the valve stem and hold it. For my 33" KO2 it takes 2 minutes per tire to get down to about 20 psi. I use a SmittyBilt pump to air back up, also about 2 minutes per tire. The cheapest compressor sufficient for 4 good sized tires will cost in the $200 range. You can buy emergency compressors for a lot less but they probably wouldn't last long enough to air up all 4 tires one time.

 

[wibornz]

The Viair is a good affordable option. If you want to keep it simple, though, you can always go with one of these:

Just make sure to eat your Wheaties...

And you have a day or two to air up. LOL.

 

[Industrialwrench]

Most importantly look at the duty cycle of the compressor you buy before you buy one. Just because it says for 33” tires on the box/advertisement doesn’t mean it’s designed to inflate a qty. 4 size 33” tires in a row without resting in between. They are expensive and most on the market are fairly garbage. You want 100% duty cycle more than a high CFM. Well you do if you want it to last forever and pump at the same speed start to finish. Airing down makes a massive difference, like game changing if you’ve never done it before.

 

[wibornz]

Okay, many option here. The cheapest fast way it this. You can buy these just about anywhere. They are cheap. Just make sure you have extra valve stem cores with you incase you lose one when you pull them out. Just know that if you lose the core, they are hard to find in the sand, mud, and snow or what ever you drop them in.

Amazon.com: Slime 20088 4-Way Valve Tool with 4 Valve Cores : Automotive https://www.amazon.com/Slime-20088-4-Way-Valve-Cores/dp/B0020T17J2/ref=sr_1_3?crid=WSUSLLI1366I&keywords=arb+valve+stem+core+tool&qid=1667215248&sprefix=arb+valve+stem+core+tool%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-3

Is there a better way, yes.

I like a tool like this ARB tool. I have this and it works great. It will remove the valve stem core and capture it so it can not be lost. Then you can also check the pressure of the tire as you deflate the tire. Easy to use and they don't take up a bunch of space. There are several companies that make basically the same tool and they all pretty much operate all the same.

ARB tool from Amazon

Probably the fastest way an the most expensive way is the Apex Design valve stems. About $150 plus the cost to install them unless you mount your own tires. So this could easily be a $250 to $400+ install. I use the Apex Design valve stems. They will air down your 33 in tire to 15 pounds in about five or six seconds. It will air down my 37 in tires to 10 psi in about 11 seconds. and requires no tools. Very easy to drop to much air. Will need a air tire gauge to check the air as you air down. I simply timed mine and it gets me real close at 11 seconds.

Airing up is easy get a portable air compressor. Just know the more you spend, the faster it will be....usually. If you buy a $30 or $40 dollar one from Home Depot or Lowes, expect to spend 45 minutes to air back up. If you want to cut that time down to 15 to 29 minutes buy one that is $150. Usually the ones that air up faster will use clamps directly to the battery as the 12v ones that plug into a cigarette type outlet will not pull enough juice to be fast.

I used a Viar compressor before I went to onboard air. The only reason I went to onboard air was because storage space is limited and I did not want the air compressor taking up storage space in the jeep.

 

[Zandcwhite]

20 psi is definitely better than running full street pressure, but is simply not low enough in soft sand. If you're just cruising down the beach in the packed sand near the water it won't matter. Find yourself out in the soft sand dunes and you may learn the hard way (after you're stuck). Soft sand I'd shoot for 15 or less. Deep snow more like 10psi. If it's moderate wheeling I agree it is convenient to just go down to 20psi, as you can safely drive home at that level in a pinch. If it's soft terrain with a higher odds of losing traction, go LOW in my experience before you have to break out the recovery gear.

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