Stock Tires Lowest Pressure for Beach Driving

What up TW. Going to Padre Island National Seashore this weekend - planning to go a decent distance downisland. This'll be my first time beach driving and using 4x4 (finally! had the truck for 7 months with no time to put it to good use :/).

How low of pressure should I use in the tires? And for future information, how low could one reasonably go with no beadlocks? Tires are Bridgestone Dueler H/T P265/65R17

Getting a 3 gal air compressor (cheapo harbor freight - in bed outlet to the rescue). What other tools/gear comes in handy? Besides fishing implements

Thanks in advance!

 

I'd run 12 at the lowest, can run 16-18 fine. There are some crazy mofos who would go lower and have never had problems but I'm not ballsy as them

 

I run as low as 5 psi in the snow or deep sand, it depends on how you drive it though. If you roll the sidewalk on a rock or you're doing donuts in the sand, you'll probably pop the bead.
With stock tires I'd run about 10 psi and it'll do fine on the beach.

 

10 psi should be good just don't be dumb

 

Depending on conditions, you might not need to go that low. I've run 20 psi on sand and it worked great, but I would not call the conditions difficult (not much in the way of going up sand dunes, mostly flat or gentle slopes). I'd consider 15-20 normal range for sand. Lower than that only if needed since you are increasing your risk of popping a bead.

 

David,

How was your trip to PINS? How far down did you go? I've been a handful of times and it's always a great time. 2WD with the auto LSD off will take you a very long way. Good times!

Vince

 

Depends on the quality of your tires, E-rated tires can be run at really low PSI and not be at much risk of going flat or popping off the wheel. I've run my E-rated KO2s as low as 8 psi in sand and 15-18 psi on rocks, never had an issue.

 

You should post pics of your experience lol

 

What do you run your KO2's at on a daily basis? Just wondering. With our trucks being so lite, 10 ply tires make you feel everything in the road. Looking for an ideal psi.

 

Depends on tire size and weight of the truck

 

I run them at 35psi for normal driving, stock first gen size

 

Thanks! @eon_blue I have 265/75/16's on my DC.

 

For beach driving 12 is good. If I was going at speed for long periods of time though I may do higher PSI like 19

Here is a small collection of my photos of my current tires at various pressures.

Toyo Mud Terrain 255/85/R16 Load E
12 PSI


15 PSI


@ 15 PSI and 40° angle!

@ 15 PSI and 40° angle!


19 PSI

19 PSI


19 PSI

19 PSI

 

I drive the beach everyday for work in a Chevy Colorado and we run 18 and I rarely need 4x4 just a little speed through soft sections and some skill.

 

Yeah whenever I get my truck serviced they always fill them up to 40psi, its almost dangerous on the freeway if I hit bumpy asphalt, feels like the back end wants to swing out sideways

 

I was at the Juniper Dunes in Eastern WA yesterday at 10 psi. LT 265/75-16 load range C Duratracs. Performed really well in the steep soft dunes.

 

FYI, I doubt the rear outlet can pick up a 3 gallon compressor.
a 12V car battery operated compressor would work better.

 

I use one of these, most of the guys I wheel with do as well (the ones without on-board air). Works really well, just hook it up to your truck's battery with the engine running and I can fill all 4 tires up to 35psi (from 15psi) in about 10/15 minutes.

 

Stock tires perform best when sold, their proceeds going towards good tires.

You spend too much money on your truck to have sub-par performance for the first couple years. It makes little sense to me. Sold mine to a tire shop for 75 bucks a piece.

 

I have the exact same one. 88P. Love it. Awesome little compressor for the price.