off road tire pressure

[uss2defiant]

I couldn't find anything substantial on the forums regarding off road tire pressure. I don't know much about off roading. Will be doing a simple off roading at Vulture Mine trail in AZ on Thursday. Feel free to join me.

Are there rules of thumb with airing down?

For example on light off road, moderate off road, and snow.

I'm running Geolandar 235/65R17 108H.

Thanks.

 

[boboborino]

It's not necessary to drop tire pressure, but it does help. There are a lot of variables.
--Trail Terrain
--Weather conditions
--Ability to air back up
--driver ability
--whether you are alone or with a group
--ability to fix a popped bead or change to your spare

Rule of thumb? not really. Experience and trial and error. I am new to the KJ and I have never went off roading in one, but I do have some wheeling experience. I would probably suggest airing down to ~20 - 25 PSI. One of the nicer perks from airing down on mild trails is smoother ride, pot holes and rocks have much less impact on driver, passenger and vehicle as opposed to running highway 30/35 psi.

Have fun on your excursion

Bert

 

[CobraNutt]

^^^ Good points to think about!

I'm running Geolander 255/65-16's and air down to 18-20 for rough roads and trails...makes for a better ride on the washboard roads, and better traction on the trails and through the mud...to a point...helps a lot over the rocks. I also have a compressor to air back up for the ride home.

Sent from my mystical handheld gizmo.

 

[tjkj2002]

Like said there are many factors.................




If your running low aspect tires,that is 70 series and below,you have much less sidewall so airing down can cause damage to the tires and rims.Running "P" metric tires you have much weaker sidewalls also that can not take lower pressures and the abuse the sidewalls can encounter on the trail.LT tires(load range C/D/E) have much more robust sidewalls and can take the added stress of airing down and the abuse they may see offroad.The wheel width compared to tire width is also a factor,without beadlocks you want a narrow rim to better hold the bead when airing down.I would not air down at all with a 245 on a 8" wide rim offroad without beadlocks.I would airdown to 15psi with a 245 on a 7" wide rim if that tire was a LT tire though.




Myself I have always ran LT tires and have gone down to at least 15psi offroad,10psi for my 35" MT/R's.Makes a huge difference in traction and comfort,more for traction.

 

[eyehatetofu]

Are you talking about the trails near the mine itself or the dirt road section of Vulture Mine Rd? Either way the conditions are pretty good. I run 18-20 psi with my P rated mall terrains without issue.

I was just out there last Monday north of the mine. There has been some grading done to some of the trails recently so airing down might not be needed at all. I'm going to be in that area Thursday too; got some dove hunting to do.

 

[uss2defiant]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Sounds like I should either not air down or not too much due to the type of tires I have.

While putting in new front speakers, I noticed my jeep is leaking transmission fluid.
:/ might have to pass on going off roading.

 

[uss2defiant]

Are you talking about the trails near the mine itself or the dirt road section of Vulture Mine Rd? Either way the conditions are pretty good. I run 18-20 psi with my P rated mall terrains without issue.

I was just out there last Monday north of the mine. There has been some grading done to some of the trails recently so airing down might not be needed at all. I'm going to be in that area Thursday too; got some dove hunting to do.

Hey hey.
I just got the Wells and Peterson book
http://www.amazon.com/Arizona-Backr...d_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1AG2QRVMKT3XTEJK3N98

The trail in the book starts from Morristown, gates road, off the US 60.
I don't think it goes directly to the Vulture mine itself.

Dove hunting???!?!
Sounds fun.
Care to plan for some trips in the future?

I'm driving up today to the in-laws in Surprise.

 

[eyehatetofu]

Hey hey.
I just got the Wells and Peterson book
Guide to Arizona Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails 2nd Edition: Charles A. Wells, Matt Peterson, Shelley Mayer: 9781934838198: Amazon.com: Books

The trail in the book starts from Morristown, gates road, off the US 60.
I don't think it goes directly to the Vulture mine itself.

Dove hunting???!?!
Sounds fun.
Care to plan for some trips in the future?

I'm driving up today to the in-laws in Surprise.

Ahhhh, I have been back in there before, about a month ago actually. Didn't know it was called that though. Depending on what way you exit you come out right across the street from the mine.

***** to hear your Jeep is leaking. Its always something it seems; for me it is my front drive shaft again. Damn jeeps.

I would be down for a future excursion after the holidays. I don't get down Tucson way often but have always wanted to run Charleau Gap and the back way up / down Mt. Lemmon.

 

[profdlp]

...I'm driving up today to the in-laws in Surprise.

Back when I was married visiting my in-laws was always a Surprise. I guess that's what I should have expected for ruining their daughter. :icon_twisted:

 

[uss2defiant]

Ahhhh, I have been back in there before, about a month ago actually. Didn't know it was called that though. Depending on what way you exit you come out right across the street from the mine.

***** to hear your Jeep is leaking. Its always something it seems; for me it is my front drive shaft again. Damn jeeps.

I would be down for a future excursion after the holidays. I don't get down Tucson way often but have always wanted to run Charleau Gap and the back way up / down Mt. Lemmon.

you probably know this but driveshaftpart.com to get your boot replacement.
Their CS has been great. They sent me a free replacement boot after it developed a slit right after I had it installed and driven back down to Tucson.

I was planning to get the ****** flushed and filters replaced some time after thanksgiving but now I have to get it done ASAP.
I think my upper ball joints are going too. bleh....

My jeep is not lifted yet and is sagging a lil' from stock so if Charleau is not a tough trail I'd be happy to join you. Still a newb. Plus my tires aint the best

Anyone else from the forums in AZ besides the forum owner and Flak?