airing down stock tires: bad idea?

[bitangler]

I have a stock 2015 4Runner Trail with the Bridestone Dueler H/T 684IIs.

Is it a bad idea to air-down the stock tires (to ~15 psi) off-road? The Duelers are all season tires, but maybe the increased sidewall puncture risk from airing down isn't worth it?

I've been hitting the forest roads in George Washington National Forest (mostly to get to fishing spots, ha), but I'm eyeing the Peters Mill Run/Taskers Gap Trails. The pokey objects there come from trees and rocks, and I think the conventional wisdom would be to air-down. I'd also like to take 'er out at Assateague Island (beach sand, so less puncture risk I would guess), where folks also suggest airing down a bit.

I certainly plan to upgrade the tires at some point, but I'm just beginning on the overland, off-road learning curve. Since I don't have a tire repair kit, I'm wondering if leaving the tires at full pressure is the better option?

 

[Jeremy556]

Yes, it is fine to air down stock tires. Less likely to get punctures when aired down. I think I would stick with around 18psi or a little higher on the stock tires.

 

[NoOneBetter]

I've aired down to 18psi on stock tires, no problem.

 

[spencenasty]

I have a stock 2015 4Runner Trail with the Bridestone Dueler H/T 684IIs.

Is it a bad idea to air-down the stock tires (to ~15 psi) off-road? The Duelers are all season tires, but maybe the increased sidewall puncture risk from airing down isn't worth it?

I've been hitting the forest roads in George Washington National Forest (mostly to get to fishing spots, ha), but I'm eyeing the Peters Mill Run/Taskers Gap Trails. The pokey objects there come from trees and rocks, and I think the conventional wisdom would be to air-down. I'd also like to take 'er out at Assateague Island (beach sand, so less puncture risk I would guess), where folks also suggest airing down a bit.

I certainly plan to upgrade the tires at some point, but I'm just beginning on the overland, off-road learning curve. Since I don't have a tire repair kit, I'm wondering if leaving the tires at full pressure is the better option?

Peters Mill and Taskers Gap are a little rocky. They are fun though.

 

[Jono.ful]

you're fine to do so, but why? the Duelers are barely passable as a highway tire, they're utterly useless off the pavement. get yourself - at the very least - a proper AT tire and go have some fun

 

[carlomagne]

the bridgestone will be fine. i've aired down to 20psi and have gone through mud, some rivers, soft sand, and a little bit of rocks with them and they haven't failed. don't forget to use your a-trac and rear locker.

 

[cf_coder]

Same here... I usually take my stock Duelers down to around 20-22 psi and they handle fine.

Obviously, they are not a slick mud or loose gravel tire and you'll be better off upgrading to an AT or MT type tire. But you're probably like me and are determined to drive them until the tread falls off before upgrading. No sense wasting a perfectly good tire for vanity's sake.

_coder

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I will be the one to disagree with some of the above answers. I will agree to air down especially in sand and dirt roads. When it comes to rocks (my experience in in the south west desert) airing down really exposes the side walls to the rocks. I have changed many stock type tires on friends jeeps and other vehicles. The punctures are generally on higher speed trails with smaller sharp rocks. I air my all terrain tires with no problems and once the others that had puntures went to a good all terrain they did not have any more problems either. Those smaller rocks with sharp edges cut a tire like a knife and 95% of the time it is the sidewall. You could probably air down to 25 psi to improve the ride but any more is risking it in my opinion.

 

[BobsTrail]

the bridgestone will be fine. i've aired down to 20psi and have gone through mud, some rivers, soft sand, and a little bit of rocks with them and they haven't failed. don't forget to use your a-trac and rear locker.

:iagree:

I do 21 for trails and try to pick my line carefully, don't look away at the scenery.
I do 15 on sand and it does very well.
I will upgrade to ATs when it's time.
Careful with the locker on sand, it may cause you to slip to the side.

 

[Chsbrgr]

I'm still wearing out the stock duelers too. In the desert southwest, I go 20-24 lbs depending on conditions and speed. I don't go fast, but have done the Saline Valley Road, Bradshaw Trail, and Mojave Road along with a lot more without incident. I agree with rocks and especially sharp rocks being something to be careful around. Please spend the money on a good quality tire repair kit. You are going to need one someday. It's really a necessity.

(Hope I haven't jinxed myself!)

 

[wanderMT]

You may be buying tires soon after the trails - I would not trust P tires in the 'pokey' environ - have had 3 flats in last 20 years - all on stock P tires, from rocks penetrating right through middle of tread. Have not had flat on numerous kinds of C or E rated in that same time. (I can't remember much back over 20 years.) I would also only air down a little to improve ride, 25psi or>. If need the traction, you may have little choice, but risk to sidewalls probably increases - but not so in sand.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

It is just a matter of luck. Some will run the stock tires over rocks for years with zero problems and other will hit a rock just right and puncture the sidewall. When I am in the middle of nowhere in the desert I do not want to fool around with a flat tire.

 

[Shootinsurveyor]

I spent my college years running around GWNF and you will be fine in your stock tires using good driving and enough sense to say when. I was just out there this week in my 2013 T4R and I never felt like I was past the stock tires that are on it. That being said, some spots are way out there, rarely traveled and a ***** to change a tire on. Ive never seen Taskers Gap advertised as more than a dirtbike trail and I know it is rockier than anything out towards Harrisonburg so some dedicated tires may be good for that area.

 

[BobsTrail]

I'm still wearing out the stock duelers too. In the desert southwest, I go 20-24 lbs depending on conditions and speed. I don't go fast, but have done the Saline Valley Road, Bradshaw Trail, and Mojave Road along with a lot more without incident. I agree with rocks and especially sharp rocks being something to be careful around. Please spend the money on a good quality tire repair kit. You are going to need one someday. It's really a necessity.

(Hope I haven't jinxed myself!)

I have seen some of the crap you drive on, you have been very lucky. Thinking of the off camber rock garden we went on trying to find a mining site. You need Load E MTs.

 

[Chsbrgr]

Bob, without a doubt I've been lucky. So have you! Cooper AT3, or BFG KO2, or Michelin AT2 in my future. C load. My trusted tire guy keeps telling me the Michelin steel belt "weave" is tighter and denser than the others and he believes less puncture prone.

 

[NYRunner]

Driving on beach sand is NOT the same as driving on any other off road terrain. If you're planning to drive on the beach you MUST air down!

Not only will it keep you from digging in and burying your vehicle frame deep in the sand it will also protect your transmission from overheating. With my stock 20" geolanders aired down to 18psi I don't even have to lock my center diff. A few of the more experienced members of the Long Island Beach Buggy Assoc that I belong to drove behind me my first time out to see how my skinny and short side-wall tires would do and they were both surprised and impressed at how well my truck handled the soft sand...


Bottom line? Air down on the beach!!!

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

Yes, it is fine to air down stock tires. Less likely to get punctures when aired down. I think I would stick with around 18psi or a little higher on the stock tires.

Agreed. For the OP I have to add, if you're wheeling in high areas like some in Colorado with very sharp scree rock (created by repeated freeze thaw cycle) your sidewalls can accumulate some small exterior surface slices. I never had any punctures and they're mostly cosmetic if you go slow. They can be a little concerning when you see them the first time and not expecting them.

 

[Maz]

the bridgestone will be fine. i've aired down to 20psi and have gone through mud, some rivers, soft sand, and a little bit of rocks with them and they haven't failed. don't forget to use your a-trac and rear locker.

carlo can you expand on the benefit for using the combo A-Trak and locker for soft sand and rocks?

Thanks.

 

[carlomagne]

carlo can you expand on the benefit for using the combo A-Trak and locker for soft sand and rocks?

Thanks.

You're gonna have to search for that. There are countless threads explaining when to use a-trac, when to use the rear locker, and when to use both.