Poll: To Air Down, or Not to Air Down, and WHY
- Thread starter Tooltime19
- Start date
ddnww
New member
the viair 90p says it can only be used on tires up to 31"
Tooltime19
New member
I pretty much air down every time im out no matter the conditions. I have found a nice balance on both of my rigs. And that is a pressure that works great in just about any condition except for the big rock stuff. Normally the most I go down to is 26-28lbs. This gives me excellent traction for the fast playful stuff. Sand is not too bad, snow is good. And the best part, if my drive into the first little town is not far, I just drive to it, or home, which ever is closest. The 26-28 is a safe enough, yet just barely, but doable to drive home on. If im a ways out, then I always air up for the trip. One hour or less,then I usually run it home and use my big shop compressor. :roadkill:
KidVermicious
New member
ddnww
New member
It's been airing up my 33s for as long as I've had them.
That's what I was hoping to hear .
KidVermicious
New member
I won't lie and tell you it's fast, because it isn't. Roughly 6-8 minutes per tire when going from 18 to 35 PSI. But it works.
BigBluePile
New member
Air down.
zopperman
Moderator
Amazon.com: VIAIR 85P Portable Air Compressor: Automotive
meh?
Has great reviews, 0-30 PSI in under 3 mins
meh?
Has great reviews, 0-30 PSI in under 3 mins
Johnny4runner
New member
Airing down for a trail ride is a no brainer. The 15 min. airing down and 15 min. airing back up are well worth the smoother ride and additional traction. Plus it gives you some time to BS with the rest of the crew. I personally like the auto shut-off air down valves--so I can BS more and won't accidentally flatten a tire.
In practice, sometimes I don't air down for short runs to a trailhead or fishing spot because: I'm lazy, don't expect a challenging trail, and/or just don't have the time to air up & down. It's definitely a rougher ride at full pressure with my 285/70/70 DT (D walls) (usually 40 psi road / 18 psi dirt) and much rougher at full pressure in my crawler 37 x 12.5 GY MT (30 psi road / 8 psi dirt). Sometimes for a trip of mixed roads and dirt I'll split the difference on my usual road / dirt pressure and run something that is a little better in the dirt, but I can still do a short drive home without too much concern about wear or handling.
In practice, sometimes I don't air down for short runs to a trailhead or fishing spot because: I'm lazy, don't expect a challenging trail, and/or just don't have the time to air up & down. It's definitely a rougher ride at full pressure with my 285/70/70 DT (D walls) (usually 40 psi road / 18 psi dirt) and much rougher at full pressure in my crawler 37 x 12.5 GY MT (30 psi road / 8 psi dirt). Sometimes for a trip of mixed roads and dirt I'll split the difference on my usual road / dirt pressure and run something that is a little better in the dirt, but I can still do a short drive home without too much concern about wear or handling.
KidVermicious
New member
Amazon.com: VIAIR 85P Portable Air Compressor: Automotive
meh?
Has great reviews, 0-30 PSI in under 3 mins
If you're gonna cheap out, do it right.
04rnr
New member
I have to disagree, we have tried with same rigs, very close to same set ups, same trails etc, at least out here in the Rockies, airing down is the only way to go, snow or no snow, rocks mud etc. airing down just simply gets you better traction.
KingPrat
New member
Yeah, I wasn't thinking in the off-roading sense. Probably should have connected the dots, as the original posts were all about trail riding...
04rnr
New member
no worries, guess I could have been a little more clear also lol
Its all good, we are all trying to help each other :cheer2:
Last edited:
KidVermicious
New member
If you're talking about on pavement, you're absolutely right. The smaller your traction patch is, the greater the PSI holding you to the pavement. The last thing you want to do on icy or snowy pavement is float!
Off the street, it depends. Sometimes you want to air down just a little so your tires can cut through to the frozen ground underneath, but if the snow is deeper than your frame it's generally a good idea to air WAY down and try to float on top. And go with a buddy. And have a winch. And a way to build a fire.
Casper421
New member
KidVermicious
New member
Trailhead 5-20 PSI deflators. Faster than pulling the valve core when you figure that I can do all four tires at once, and faster still if I decide to drive away with 'em on.
I don't like that I can't adjust on the fly, though. Thinking about getting another set so I can have one at 12-15 PSI and another at 20-25 or so.
I don't like that I can't adjust on the fly, though. Thinking about getting another set so I can have one at 12-15 PSI and another at 20-25 or so.
white_n_slow
Senior Member
I always air down when wheeling. Usually to 16PSI, 35PSI on the road. I use the trailhead deflators. Very quick.
Reasons in order of importance:
1) Comfort. The ride is WAY better with the tires aired down, which makes the wife happy. Happy wife, happy life.
2) Better traction. I have ridden some 3-4 banana trails with street pressure, and it is doable, but I always seem to spend less time peeling out and more time moving if the tires are aired down.
3) You can get a maxflow (or whatever they're called) cheap air compressor for $50. It's slow, but it will get you back to street pressure on 33's in 20 minutes. Well worth it for a couple hour trail ride.
Reasons in order of importance:
1) Comfort. The ride is WAY better with the tires aired down, which makes the wife happy. Happy wife, happy life.
2) Better traction. I have ridden some 3-4 banana trails with street pressure, and it is doable, but I always seem to spend less time peeling out and more time moving if the tires are aired down.
3) You can get a maxflow (or whatever they're called) cheap air compressor for $50. It's slow, but it will get you back to street pressure on 33's in 20 minutes. Well worth it for a couple hour trail ride.
