Airing Down Tires On 4x4 Roads

I haven’t lost a bead yet either, and never aired down past 30psi. Got a new compressor so I will have to try doing more next time I’m out. Thanks!

 

Ratchet strap and good compressor will do the trick most of the time, if that doesn't work you can use the starting fluid trick. I have set a few beads on my rock crawlers with the method. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=t0emi48dx_4

 

KO2 E rated 285 tires run at 40 psi on the road and 15 psi when off roading.

No one has mentioned this yet that I've read but airing down too low can cause the tire side walls to heat up and with the extra stresses causing delamination of the plys possible leading to premature failure or decrease tire longevity.

I personality wouldn't air down below 30 if you are caring any type of speeds above 20 mph but others might have experience where its fine. Food for thought!

 

Thanks to all who replied with what their doing - experience is the best teacher. I will be getting a better air system, and have ratchet straps so I feel more confident now.

 

Anyone have experience airing down only the rear in a 2wd? I’m thinking this would be beneficial in sand. Just randomly though about it.

 

Airing down allows for a larger foot print which will increase traction . My old Jeep Rock Crawler my highway pressure was 25psi and trail pressure 11-15psi . For running on sand I would drop down to under 10lbs

 

Be careful running under 10psi even in sand...I was in the dunes last weekend and a buddy popped a bead on his 33" ko2s coming down a slope. I usually run 12 in the sand and 15 on rocks, someone's under 10 in sand if I need to get unstuck but I'll air up a little pretty soon afterward

 

I never had an issue popping a bead in the Sand !!

 

It was the first time I'd seen it happen myself but it wasn't fun trying to reseat the bead in the deep sand lol. We ended up using a ratchet strap and air compressor to put it back on and it worked like a charm

 

I used dirt track bead sealant to glue the bead to the rim !!

 

Say your TPMS is set to light up at 25psi or below. If you air down below 25psi I would think so?

15psi on dirt roads makes going over little potholes and bumps a lot smoother. We have done up to 35mph if not more but less than 50mph in 4wd, stock size tires on 1st gen and 3rd gen. I wouldn’t go below 15psi unless doing some extreme rock obstacles.

A portable tire compressor is a must if you go off road and air down your tires. I have the

$221 Viair 400P - 40043 Portable Compressor Kit. Tire Pump, Truck/SUV Tire Inflator, For Up to 35" Tires

Viair 400P and it works great. Takes some time when you do 3 trucks though

Since this is an old thread I doubt OP is active much...

 

I've been really happy with 20psi but still am getting comfortable with what the sidewall can take. I've spooned a lot of motorcycle tires but don't look forward to doing that on a trail with a truck.

With that, we got to see someone set two beads using starter fluid this past weekend. Pretty freaking epic and easy.

I'm not certain how happy the tire sensor would be with either that pressure or heat spike.

 

You guys "airing down to 30 to 35" are wild!! Kidding aside, I run 30 to 35 daily, and air down to 12 to 15 when crawling around. I keep it at about 18 to 20 when on rough ass roads for any extended period of time. Keep in mind the load range, and how YOUR tires act at different pressures as all tires are different. The width of the tire against the width of the wheel, will yield different minimums. A wide tire on a narrower wheel will hold a bead better than the opposite... There are lots of things to consider.

 

20 on washboard roads for me

 

They didn’t want to trigger their TPMS

 

we usually will air down as soon as we hit dirt; around 15-17 for most FS roads that we will be on for any long periods of time; most of our FS roads are potholed pretty bad, this makes the ride much more tolerable and easier on the truck. For trails anywhere from 10psi or down to 4 in deep snow.

 

lol yeah, 30 or 35 isn't airing down at all...that's normal tire pressure. 15psi is the sweet spot for me, but with e-rated tires the sidewall barely starts to flex at that point. I think the lowest I'd be comfortable using is 12 on a trail, maybe a tad less in sand.

 

No issues doing 3 trucks with a duty cycle of 33%? No over heating? Looking into picking up a 400P automatic.

 

Air down to 18-20 psi. That way, you still have one shot left when you get stuck and can air down to 12-15 psi to maybe get out. Always have a plan B.

 

There’s a lot of bullshit info in here fellas.