I’m sure this has been covered multiple times, but I couldn’t find the answer. I know airing down tires when hitting the trails is ALMOST a must, provides better traction and comfort. But my question is a bit different from this. I am currently running 265/70/17 BFG KO2 E Load. Most are saying 20PSI is good for trail runs. The reason why I asked about 20PSI, because (if I am doing the calculations right) with these tires at full PSI of 80PSI (which I probably will never run) it can carry up to 3195LBS per tire. If you divide 3195 by 4, you get 798.75LBS at 20PSI. So at 20PSI the max load would be 3195LBS on all 4 tires, and our trucks (4th Gen 4Runner) weigh about 4000-4500LBS right? Unless I am overthinking this, But that means the tire wouldn’t hold the weight right, or does this only apply to when you're on road and actually driving fast? Thanks in advance for the help.
Air Down Tires for Trails
- Thread starter jdotlim
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85RedRunner
New member
You're overthinking it.
JD914
Member
^^ yep. A 70 series E rated tire isn't even going to break a sweat at 20 psi on the trail.
Like you said, don't run it at that pressure at highway speeds on pavement, but on dirt at trail speeds, you have nothing to worry about. That's what an A/T tire is designed for.
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Like you said, don't run it at that pressure at highway speeds on pavement, but on dirt at trail speeds, you have nothing to worry about. That's what an A/T tire is designed for.
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KidVermicious
New member
This. Highway speeds generate a lot of heat, that's when load limits are important. A slow speeds on the trail they're close to irrelevant.
But remember:
Airing down also allows the tire to spin on the wheel, particularly in high torque/high traction situations experienced off road (low range on rock)
Unless you have beadlocks, watch that you are not moving your tires on the wheel which will not only knock the tires out of balance, the out of balance condition will be far worse than having no balancing weights at all.
Choices:
1.) don't air down.
2.) air down but chalk the tire and wheel at the valve stem to indicate any movement at the end of the run when you air up. This will tell you if you need to head to your nearest tire shop.
3.) run continuous balancing media in the tires themselves with filters in the valve stems to keep the media from entering the stem at air down.
4.) get beadlocks and run whatever pressure you want
I have a 4Runner with double bead locks and CTIS and I have a new TRD Pro that I wheel often without airing down at all.
It is a different experience with different challenges but both are lots of fun.
Airing down also allows the tire to spin on the wheel, particularly in high torque/high traction situations experienced off road (low range on rock)
Unless you have beadlocks, watch that you are not moving your tires on the wheel which will not only knock the tires out of balance, the out of balance condition will be far worse than having no balancing weights at all.
Choices:
1.) don't air down.
2.) air down but chalk the tire and wheel at the valve stem to indicate any movement at the end of the run when you air up. This will tell you if you need to head to your nearest tire shop.
3.) run continuous balancing media in the tires themselves with filters in the valve stems to keep the media from entering the stem at air down.
4.) get beadlocks and run whatever pressure you want
I have a 4Runner with double bead locks and CTIS and I have a new TRD Pro that I wheel often without airing down at all.
It is a different experience with different challenges but both are lots of fun.
i usually do not do anything crazy. just mostly dirt trails with little rocks on there. i just want a more comfortable ride and better traction. and everyone is telling me to air down. i dont think i'll get too crazy where the wheel will spin on the tire itself.
PWD4R
New member
If you want a more comfortable ride then airing down would greatly benefit you. You'll go over the road imperfections with ease and little to no bounce
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Ray Dunakin
Senior Member
Do you guys use any special tool to air down, or just let some air out a little at a time and keep checking the pressure until it hits the psi you want?
PWD4R
New member
Many have an ARB tool that you set the psi you want and it airs it down to that psi for you. I just use a twig or the other end of the pressure gauge lol. It takes longer that way (about 10-12 minutes for all 4 from 40 psi to 17 psi)
Just make sure you have a way to air up..
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Ray Dunakin
Senior Member
Thanks, that's about what I figured.
Airing up is the main reason I try to avoid airing down. The pump that plugs into the cig lighter is better than nothing, but still takes a LONG time to get each tire back up to pressure.
Trail Wonka
New member
I use use a combination of air-down tools. Have a set of four deflators that can be pre set at your desired psi. Just screw them on and they stop releasing air at that psi. They are slow but you can just leave em. I also use an ARB EZ Deflator which actually pulls the valve stem and airs the tire down very fast, has a built in air gauge and you stop it whenever you want. Fast but you can only do one at a time. Sometimes I use both if in a hurry. Many deflator tools out there, but beware of the cheap stuff. They don't work well and are inconsistent. JT Brooks makes some quality deflators. Happy trails!
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Tooltime19
New member
I use different air pressures for different types of wheeling or street driving. For the record, I have never spun a lowerd air pressure tire on the rim. Here in the Southwest, I drive many different types of terrain and I adjust accordingly. I have fast desert terrain pressure but mostly use 20psi for most of my off road driving. I use 25 for my high speed desert driving. Never spun a tire on a wheel for what its worth.
ajordan1975
New member
I run 4psi or so.... :girl:
Scramble
New member
Just air down to 25lbs then, I've done dirt trails on highway tires without airing down or using 4WD. If you hit sand, mud or have to get up something steep then 18lbs (and 4WD) should be fine.
Chas of MRT
New member
These are hands down the best deflators around. Set it and forget it!
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/group-buys/219706-jt-brooks-tire-deflators-group-buy-made-usa.html
