Thai
Elite Member
Here is a post by a very knowledgeable (IMHO) guy on the G forum: (neat trick is at the end of this post)
"When driving off road, pressures should nearly ALWAYS be lower than when driving on road. Always is a big word, I know, and I'm sure people can come up an exception or three. But the point is that you'll always be easier on the terrain when you spread your footprint out. Heck, I could make a good argument that people should lower their air pressure when they turn from the pavement onto the dirt road I live on. I bet we'd have a lot less trouble with the road turning to washboard. The point is yes, make it easy to air down and back up so that you aren't just doing it after you've lost traction or suspect you might. Lower is better just about all the time off road.
Staun deflators or a similar system is wonderful for regular lowering of pressures. I don't set them to the last PSI before the tires peel off the rims, but set them to get from 35 down to 20 or 22 psi quickly and easily so I can do the airing down that will help take it easy on the ground and get through 99% of what the vehicle can do. If some unusual challenge like shallow mud I might need to cut through (need more pressure) or super soft sand (need less pressure) comes up, it can still be dealt with at the time.
Being set up to generally air down before getting on the trail and back up after getting off (and using the systems regularly) is no different than having proper tires, tools, etc. It's part of being properly prepared for off road travel, I think.
It doesn't have to be expensive. The Staun deflators are pretty cheap and save a lot of time when lowering pressures. Even a cheap compressor will get you aired back up. It'll take a little time, but as long as you pack a cold beverage or snack to enjoy while it's going on, this is a great time to stop with buddies and talk about how much fun we had before we part ways. Heck, the slow compressor might be better in that respect. It gives time to talk while you leave the inflation system unattended to fill the tires.
Here's a good trick.
Use a 4-way splitter hose to hook up all the tires at once. Right at the place where the compressor hooks to the splitter hose, put a T in the line with an extra schraeder valve. Some compressors already have the extra schraeder valve for checking pressure. Buy an extra Staun Deflator and set it for your road pressure and screw it onto the extra schraeder valve. Hook up the compressor, turn it on and let it run. Go have a sandwich and a beverage with your buddies. When you hear that Staun deflator pop off, it means your tires are back up to road pressure. Unhook the compressor and go!
All the best,
-Dave G."
"When driving off road, pressures should nearly ALWAYS be lower than when driving on road. Always is a big word, I know, and I'm sure people can come up an exception or three. But the point is that you'll always be easier on the terrain when you spread your footprint out. Heck, I could make a good argument that people should lower their air pressure when they turn from the pavement onto the dirt road I live on. I bet we'd have a lot less trouble with the road turning to washboard. The point is yes, make it easy to air down and back up so that you aren't just doing it after you've lost traction or suspect you might. Lower is better just about all the time off road.
Staun deflators or a similar system is wonderful for regular lowering of pressures. I don't set them to the last PSI before the tires peel off the rims, but set them to get from 35 down to 20 or 22 psi quickly and easily so I can do the airing down that will help take it easy on the ground and get through 99% of what the vehicle can do. If some unusual challenge like shallow mud I might need to cut through (need more pressure) or super soft sand (need less pressure) comes up, it can still be dealt with at the time.
Being set up to generally air down before getting on the trail and back up after getting off (and using the systems regularly) is no different than having proper tires, tools, etc. It's part of being properly prepared for off road travel, I think.
It doesn't have to be expensive. The Staun deflators are pretty cheap and save a lot of time when lowering pressures. Even a cheap compressor will get you aired back up. It'll take a little time, but as long as you pack a cold beverage or snack to enjoy while it's going on, this is a great time to stop with buddies and talk about how much fun we had before we part ways. Heck, the slow compressor might be better in that respect. It gives time to talk while you leave the inflation system unattended to fill the tires.
Here's a good trick.
Use a 4-way splitter hose to hook up all the tires at once. Right at the place where the compressor hooks to the splitter hose, put a T in the line with an extra schraeder valve. Some compressors already have the extra schraeder valve for checking pressure. Buy an extra Staun Deflator and set it for your road pressure and screw it onto the extra schraeder valve. Hook up the compressor, turn it on and let it run. Go have a sandwich and a beverage with your buddies. When you hear that Staun deflator pop off, it means your tires are back up to road pressure. Unhook the compressor and go!
All the best,
-Dave G."
Or you can use 2 of the Staun and give the other two to your friend...so, both of you can deflate quicker than the traditional way (via $1 tire gauge).
