Airing Down vs Speed

We all know that off roading at low speed is best done with very low pressure in the tires. It allows the tire to adapt to the obstacles and it give a bigger footprint. However, I would be afraid to air down to 8 psi and drive faster than 30 mph for more than a few minutes. I'm trying to find a compromise to be able to drive on gravel/logging roads at speeds in the 50 mph range while reducing the bouncing effect of a 30 psi tire over rocks. What is the optimal pressure you would use in this situation? How low would you go without risking tire overheating and vehicule stability?

Thanks!

 

I usually air down to 20psi on forest service roads. I have 235/85-16 ST Maxx tires on factory wheels. I don't usually go over 30mph in the woods.

 

I regularly run 15-18psi for long distances with speeds between 35-80mph.

 

Thanks! I'll start around 18-20 and experiment from there.

 

I usually go 20-25 psi then lower if I need to. I have 32"s and don't want to give up too much ground clearance if I don't need to. At that psi I'll drive roads and freeways all day without worry.

 

I usually air down to around 15psi off road. If I'm going to be travelling on washboard or just regular fire roads or gravel for an extended period of time I'll go up to 20-22 and it seems to help a lot as far as ride and firm enough not to sketch me out around corners.

 

I air down to 25, maybe been doing this wrong.

 

Many variables. When I was running 265/70/16 p rated tires, 20 was as low as I felt comfortable going even at slow speeds - lots of squish. I never aired my 265/75/16 load C tires past 20, but had lots of room to go for low speed wheeling. Both were before I added on board air. I was already hauling quite a bit of extra weight in the truck daily at that time. I also drove to a gas station, doing the speed limit (up to 60 mph) on both a few times.

Now the truck is even heavier and is rolling on 255/85/16 load E tires. If I'm airing down for a long day on Forest Service roads, I'll go to 25. If there's going to be much deep snow, I'll go to 15 - I can drive all day on FSRs and feel comfortable at prudent speeds (up to 30mph) at this pressure. If I need more traction or float, I can deflate further (haven't needed to yet) or put tire chains on (haven't done this with 255s yet). If I plan on driving faster, I keep it at 25 because the conditions aren't calling for lower psi if I'm driving that fast.

 

About 20-22psi when my KO2's. I feel comfortable at higher speeds and still allows for a nice ride over the rough.

 

What's your on board air system? I'm debating between this or a portable (and hopefully reliable) compressor.

 

Also, just to be clear on the safety issue, I drive those speeds when I'm going through clearcuts and places where visibility is at least half a mile. We have dirt roads as wide as highways in some places. Washboards and grip are the main concern.

 

Air down?

Better suspension.

 

What would you suggest?

 

Not the same thing.

 

Not familiar with the 2016s and can't much weigh in on the changes/available products for your trucks, sorry friend!

 

I have an

$350 ARB ckma12 On-Board Air Compressor High Performance 12 Volt for Air Locker Differentials and Tire Inflation

ARB ckma12 under the hood. I went this route for simplicity when I do my lockers.

15 psi in spring goop that's well over frame deep.

 

I've only ever dropped to 25 psi but that's p-metric (not LT) all terrain tires. Did ok at 40-50 mph on gravel.

 

Personally I think it depends on tire size and terrain obviously. My current 33's I've had down to 12 and they feel very squishy on the road, but hook up fantasticaly. On the other hand I "aired down" for a lot of the winter to a lower tire pressure around 25psi. Although because my rims are too skinny for my tires I think that allows me to do this. Definitely not an ideal.