Airing Down Tires On 4x4 Roads

I have read that when driving on 4x4 roads, the tires should be aired down, so as not to get a flat from sharp rocks. How much should tires be aired down and doesn't airing down the tires cause the TPM to light up?

 

If your just running forest service roads keep it at 30 to 35 psi and you should be fine.

Edit: Unless your on really nasty washboard roads for long distances, then you could lower it just to save your suspension and your kidneys. And yes your air pressure light will come on.

 

I only go down to like 25 psi, but it depends largely on a number of factor (wheel and tire size, wheel type, use, terrain, speed). And yes, your TPMS will come on. At least it does for me at 25psi.

 

It would probably be fine for most forest service traction wise, but airing down also increases comfort and can keep tires from cutting on sharp rocks as thy conform better when aired down.

 

For just forest roads and what not, usually I don't bother; unless there might be some steep hill climbs involved. Otherwise, just scenarios where I need extra traction - snow, sand, rocks, etc... and usually I would drop to at least 15. Possibly closer to 10 if it's really deep/heavy/wet snow, or if on sand dunes like Silver Lake, where you can use all the help you can get.

 

I'm relatively new to offroading, but I found when driving around monument valley, dropping air pressure to 25 made the ride much more comfortable. Probably easier on the truck too.

 

I don't usually usually bother on well graded unpaved roads as most are within the state and national forests as well as the national park near me, but even on those roads I'll drop to 20-25 psi if I know I won't see pavement for more than 50 miles or so. I've gone as low as 18 psi on the stock off road tires and down to 15 psi on the 235/85r16 KO2s for soft sand or truly rough terrain.

 

You could drop it some for comfort if the roads are rough. For me personally I spend most week days on logging roads so I just don't bother. Flats could be a concern if your running 4 ply tiers, but also just running at a lower speed will help with flats.

 

Airing down also gives you more contact with the ground for more traction in offroad conditions. For any trails requiring 4lo/locker I go down to 15 psi...4hi I keep it around 20. In deep sand I've gone a low as 8 psi to get unstuck and it worked well. Always keep a portable air compressor on hand (a good one that connects to the battery posts, not one that connects to the cigarette lighter in your truck) so that you can air up afterwards.

 

No problem airing down to 30 - 35 with LT tires, depending on load. However sidewall flex can cause cuts. A compressor is handy to get pressure back up to Highway values.

 

i use an arb deflator (and compressor) for airing down. its worth it. for serious crawling ill go below 20. dirt roads with rough sections generally 25-30. dirt roads that are fairly smooth, i dont bother.

 

15psi- are you using beadlocks?

 

I was wondering the same thing, what is the lowest to air down to without beadlocks (without breaking the bead)?
I don't have them and usually run 25psi on the trail.
What are people airing down to with beadlocks?

 

Its definitely a big improvement in comfort airing down. I run my tires at ~40 for on-road and drop to 20 for off-road.

I also invested in a 12v compressor (I got the smittybilt one) once it became apparent I'd be offroading more than once a year. Saves a bunch of quarters!

 

I like to run my KO2s at 38psi on asphalt and 28psi when offroading. I'll go down to 18psi if I really need better traction in sand or mud but that's crazy rare. I had tons of punctures on the stock Wranglers but haven't had any on the KO2s. Having a compressor under the hood sure is nice and my favorite mod! I'm surprised how much I use it not only for the truck but for the bikes and occasionally helping out others on their cars.

 

Nope, but I'm not doing anything where I'm rolling the side wall hard at that low of pressure though. Just soft sand washes and beach driving mostly.

 

I ran 12 in Pismo

 

No beadlock needed. I did a bit of rock crawling on 15psi. Beadlocks are only needed in single digits (eg 3-8psi) and as long as you keep your wheels turned against an object you shouldn’t lose a bead.

 

On my Toyo rt tires I go down to about 10-12 as soon as I hit the rough roads!
Night a day difference in the ride from 20-25 psi. Have been doing this for 15+ years without bead locks without issue.
I'll even drop down to 4-6 in deep snow,
I have been in several situations where I could not go any further in the snow at 10 psi, drop to 6 and continue on without sinking or spinning. I have lost a bead or two at these low pressures but as long as you have the proper equipment and know how to reset the bead its not that big of a deal.
That being said I do have a good onboard air system and would not recommend dropping so low without one.
18-20 would be a good pressure if you do not have an air system and need to drive on pavement to get to the nearest air compressor.

 

Thanks for your input, so you use tire irons to reset your bead? What type? I’ve also seen the ratchet strap trick, but haven’t tried it yet.