By Brian Fransson (Brian) on Friday, October 12, 2001 - 10:45 pm: Edit

I know that airing down is done while driving
on sand, but is there anywhere else this is done
while offroading?

Thanks in advance for any advice.
Cheers, Brian

By Axel Haakonsen (Axel) on Friday, October 12, 2001 - 11:51 pm: Edit

It depends. Some people like to air down, others don't. There is no hard and fast rule. You have to figure out what works best for you and your driving style. Try an obstacle without airing down first, then air down and do it again. That way you can feel the difference.

By Shane on Saturday, October 13, 2001 - 12:03 am: Edit

I always air down when I go off road. It gives better traction in most all situations. Most of the time it probally is not necessary; but to me it is part of the fun.(I know I'm a poser).

By Mike D1 on Friday, October 12, 2001 - 08:59 pm: Edit

Brian,

I run around 55 in the rear and 50 in the front (LR wants you to keep the front lower on the street, look on your door jamb). On rocks go down to 30 or lower and your drive on rocks will be much softer. You can go down to 12 or so with out a tire slipping off the rim but your clearance under the diff. will suffer. Air down for soft sand. For mud keep your street pressure or air up! You want a tall hard tire to get down to firmer ground under the mud. A low pressure tire in mud will just stay on top and slip around.

Have fun!

By jpitman on Saturday, October 13, 2001 - 09:44 am: Edit

50/55 WHAT? Not PSI surely! Our dealer here recommends 28/32 psi F/R in 235/70x16 Michelins. Down to 12 for soft sand is fine, just wastch you speed when you get back to a hard surface, and watch for rocks cutting the sidewalls.
JP

By Discosaurus (Discosaurus) on Saturday, October 13, 2001 - 10:20 am: Edit

Airing down is another sleeping giant topic.

Best advice - Ignore all advice and try various obstacles yourself, in your own truck. If you feel you can wheel more comfortably or easier one way vs another, then you've found your answer.

Yes, lower pressure means less clearence, obviously...

I air down, but seldom below 18-20 psi.

keith
discosaurus

By Mike D1 on Saturday, October 13, 2001 - 11:27 am: Edit

The 55/50 or 60/55psi is for big tires. 245/75 235/85 etc. etc. Not for the little stock street tires. I dumped them the first week I had my truck. Most good tire shops will give you $30 to $50 for good used tires!

Have fun.

By marty amedeo (Marty) on Saturday, October 13, 2001 - 12:40 pm: Edit

Mike...I agree with JP, 55/60 PSI is excessive. I run 265/80's and air up to 34 all around on the street. Off road depends on the trail conditions, but I usually air down to 15-18 PSI.

Marty

By Brian Fransson (Brian) on Saturday, October 13, 2001 - 02:38 pm: Edit

Gentlemen,

Thanks for all the advice. I'm running
stock tire size Pirelli Scorpion S/T.
They feel comfortable with 40psi all around.
As for offroad, never really have the opportunity
living in surburbia. So in general it's trial and
error until the right mix is found.

Brian

By Discosaurus (Discosaurus) on Sunday, October 14, 2001 - 12:24 pm: Edit

...if it's a D1, you should consider using the factory recommended 10psi difference between back and front. I think it improves on-road handling greatly.

keith
discosaurus

By Steve (Oz93discov8) on Thursday, October 18, 2001 - 09:13 am: Edit

Last year I had stock Michelin XPC 205 80R16 aired up to about 40 psi all around (with heavy "mud" chains up front and had a hell of a time getting up a very steep logging trail. This year on same track (with worse weather conditions) but with BFG A/T 245 75's no chains and 22 psi fronts & 32 psi rears it just sailed up there with no problems at all - didn't even look like breaking traction.

By p m on Thursday, October 18, 2001 - 11:37 am: Edit

the 245/75 BFG at 22 psi has quite a bit more contact area than a 205/80 XPC aired up to 40.

XPC's a good tire for the street, sand, and not very deep snow. maybe slickrock. but not mud.

peter