How low can I go?

Was curious on around about how low of tire pressure I can run in the sand w/out beadlocks? I have a 99' tacoma standard cab/flatbed on 33s. Weighs about 3700#. Thanks.

 

I've ran 14psi before on 285/75/16 bfg at/ko.
I wouldn't recommend much lower than that or for any length of time.

 

I've got the same rig except I've got a traditional bed. On my 33" km2's I ran @ 10 psi, as per info received here on TW!!! Its amazing how much airing down on that sand will increase ease of mobility.

 

That really would depend on what width tire and wheel you have. I'm running 33x10.5R15 on a 6 wide wheel and have been down to 8-10 psi plenty. Really could go a little lower but no real need.

 

I get down to 10psi but other guys I wheel with go to 7psi when we wheel in the snow.

 

Thanks guys. So safe to say around 10-12 would do the trick.

There 33x12.5s on 15" wheels.

 

Been wondering this too. I'm afraid to go too low. Ha. How would rim width affect it? Wider they are more easily to break loose?

Running same setup above with 15x10's. Bfg at's.

 

Sand and snow I always gone to 5 psi.... but I drive knowing I only have 5 psi in.

 

Well I think I could drop down to 10# and probably be ok from what everyone is saying. I know itd be better then the 28# I run around town on anyway.

I was curious about the rim and width myself. Whats the difference there?

 

The wider the wheel, the easier it is for the bead to pop off. So a 32x12.5 will blow the bead faster on a 10'' wide wheel than a 8''.

Might be apples to oranges, but I run ~5 PSI on my 35s on my Cherocar in the rocks and snow. Dad runs ~10 in his 32s.


There are several questions you ask yourself before you air down, there is no such thing as a perfect tire pressure for everyone. Are you on a dirt road, do you even need to air down? Less air means your axles are now closer to the ground, are you hitting your diff on every rock? Do you have the ability to air up after your are done wheeling? How far do you have to drive on the street to get to air? Alloy or steel wheels, as steel holds tires better. C, D or E range tires? What ply sidewall? How heavy is the vehicle? How fast are you going on the trails? Any issue if you do blow a bead? etc, etc


You can reset a bead pretty quickly by yourself, and I used to do it at least once a trip before I got narrower wheels (went from a 15x10 to a 15x8). Remove the valve stem core, use a lighter and starter fluid and you pop the bead back on. Clearly only a trained professional should attempt such things.

 

Hey thanks a lot for the explanation!! Makes more sense now.
Was gonna go to the dunes and just toodle around. No rocks, 2nd gear at the most. There would be air at the camp site.