Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

If you are in the habit of removing valve cores to deflate your tires, you might wanna keep a few extras in your truck box

 

I've experienced this myself. My tire repair kit has a few spare valve cores.

 

That's a must-have in rock country, I carry a few spare valves.

 

You could've left this one out. Lol.

 

Apparently, he did.

 

Thanks. I am familiar with the two octave sounds you describe. I believe it's a function of the factory TPMS sensors, mine were manufacture/model (Pacific pmv-107j), if you ever need to replace them.

Next time I air down I may give that method a shot. Any concern over extra wear on the valve core/stem ?

Tom, you air down to 10 psi with the bead locks on your crawler, or taco?

I recently wheeled my truck at 15 psi over a forest service road and a rough spur road with baseball / softball sized rocks. I couldn't believe how comfy my ride was at that pressure. My E rated Toyos are pretty stiff, but at 15 psi, it's very nice ride, best I've ever had in the Tacoma.

Parked at 40° to get some real good sidewall flex.

Thanks Andy. I can't wait for gears. Thanks for the recommendation on the air compressor. I did end up with the ARB twin, and it's great! Also, +1 on the fridge. Strangely enough, my wife was the one who demanded that I order it when she learned about it. lol We've had ours since 2013 and it's been excellent.



As far as gas in DV, I've at most carried 11 gallons and last trip I think I carried 5. You just gotta carry gas there. So vast!

 

Not too worried. I do it all the time and no problems after about 100 times. It has crossed my mind but never let it worry me.

I used to wheel at 12 all the time. Very plush ride. My only fear on that is that I have had more than one side wall failure at about 75% life that my intuition tells me may have been the cost of that comfort.

 

I'm at 10psi while on the rocks and usually 12-15psi on dirt roads and the desert. Unless I'm on Saline Valley Road which I will be at 10psi lmao.. at 5psi on the crawler.

 

Next time I'll "crop the crack".

Sorry guys.

As far as deflators, no mention of Staun?

 

Oh there was mention...

"One little tip that you might like - my air down tool that I miss the most right now are the OEM valve stems. If you pull the valve stem and listen for the first audible octave (coyotes may hear a few before one that I am talking about) - by the time you put the valve stem back in, you should be right around 19 PSI. If you wait for the second, you are somewhere in the neighborhood of 12 PSI. I may be wrong and find out that it was the physical configuration of the BFG KM2s and the TRD fakelocks combined with the TPMS valve stems- but I hope it is just the TPMS valve stems. I miss that audible clue. I've used the brass deflators (still have to adjust one) and the ARB valve core extractor, but I absolutely love the simplicity of the audible method. I lost a sidewall on one of my beadlocked KM2's so I will find out soon since I plan on putting a spare TPMS into that rim and see what happens. "

Before I bought my ARB extraction tool, I used those. Call me lazy but I didn't like the one that was not adjusted correctly! lol They are not bad for the set-it-and-forget-it factor. If I was to go back to them, (I still have them in a tool bag) I would pick up those smaller ones shown on this thread. The reason being that I would like to stop, change the caps with the air down ones and get back in my truck and wheel. I don't know why I am in a hurry but I would rather be wheeling or chillin' at my destination as opposed to spending time with such tasks. Same reason I like CO2 to air up.

 

Sounds so familiar. Best thing I've done with my truck was this exact plan. Worked like a charm this past few days in Saline and that was only running one 100W panel.

I can also vouch for the "stem removal" air down method. Much faster than the pricey Stauns I have. Murphy knows his stuff.

Saline/Panamint Report 2015 Nov 22nd-25th
Came in North Pass which was a bit more rocky in some sections but not a big deal aired down. The big washout is easily navigable. Temps were great, a little chilly at night but not bad. Tuesday night there was the W thing so no fire and turned in early. Each day had great airshows put on by the DV Aero Squadrons for our entertainment. I'll try to post up some videos ( I usually never get video) later.

Wed morning packed up and headed out South Pass. Stopped at the dunes and salt tram. Almost did Lippencott but the weather was dark to the north and didn't want to take a chance getting stuck one way or another. I was solo. Heading out I saw quite a few rigs coming in the valley. I'm glad I got out before the big crowds developed. Top of South Pass at 2pm had 40 degree temps.

Went to PSR for a burger and head out via Trona/Ridgecrest. There is a vehicle down in Rainbow Canyon. Apparently a woman killed herself by driving off the edge. Sad. Looking at the car I noticed a ton of crap down there, 50gal drums, trailers, etc. How come the park isn't quick to remove this stuff compared to action taken on "historical" items in far off places? Gotta love the NPS.

Trona quickstop has fuel prices almost comparable to Costco. That was nice. Again driving along the 395 I saw tons of rigs heading out to the desert. So glad to be home and local for the holiday.

 

Agree with you there...and finally found a local welding supply that fills for $16

 

I used to go to a fire extinguisher service place in Glendora for 15 dollar fills but I stopped going after I figured out the we're only filling my tank to 7-8lbs. Now I go a welding place down the street and pay 22 bucks..

 

Great family owned chain called California Tool & Welding Supply. 10# for ~$12. You can thank me later.
http://cal-tool.com/locations/

Locations:
Riverside (Corporate Headquarters)
Fontana
Victorville
Barstow
Lancaster
Hesperia
Santa Ana
Montclair
San Bernardino
Corona
Desert Industrial Gas - N. Las Vegas

 

So as long as we are talking about the subject.

I currently air down to 18-19 PSI for the following reasons.

• Takes less time to air down and it's that first octive
• Takes less time and CO2 (tank lasts longer) to get back on the road
• I sense I am doing less damage to the sidewalls
• It's 'low enough' to be comfortable and I have yet not to get to where I want to go - I could always air down more selectively if I have to

Also, I used to air up to 40 psi thinking I would get better mileage - I have never seen much difference if any. Therefore I air up to ~32-34 PSI

 

18 lbs down and 37 up.

For all your reasons HB FTW.

 

I air down my junk to 12-15 lbs simply becomes I'm tired of my lattes always spilling onto the console and gear selector area because that shits hard to clean up...

 

So how much do air tanks cost?
How much do they weigh?
How many tires does a full tank air up?
Do those of you with tanks also carry backup compressors?

Now lets get back on topic...

 

nice capture of flyby

 

Nothing nasty about these birds. I love all the aviation activity in Panamint/Saline/Owens Valleys.
I recently spoke with a Marine pilot who stated most training in the MOA is from Lemoore. I find that hard to believe knowing that China Lake is in such close proximity. I was buzzed once in Dedeckera by a F-16. 2nd pass he did I could see his face and helmet color. A-10s in Eureka once too. Those ones were definitely using campers as targets, i.e. pseudo goat humpers.