When to air down and to what PSI?

[CSL]

Dropping pressure from 30psi down to 10psi will yield at least three times the trail grabbing footprint, but at a loss of 2/3 of the contact pressure. Usually that loss in contact pressure can be gained back with the added weight of off road recovery gear and other stuff that you take when out in the sticks. Also, the static tire radius is reduced which means more torque to the ground.

You sure live up to your screen name with talk like that!! I feel like I am in my dynamic mechanics class at school.

Congrats on the new compressor G.I.G. I hate you.

I aired down once (but mom, everyone else is doing it!) but had no way to air back up. I forgot to and drove all the way home. I noticed the next day or so. Viair system (like what was recently posted) is what I want someday, and I doubt I will air-down until I get it. Unless I wheel with you someday, G.I.G. ...then you can fill me up!! ha!

 

[G.I.G.]

Unless I wheel with you someday, G.I.G. ...then you can fill me up!! ha!

Ha, just let me know when you want to go up! I'm trying to head up with A10MileHusker sometime here in the next few weeks as well. Keep us posted on the CO trail run!....

I bought the compressor on Amazon which included free shipping, so I was only out of pocket about $63 bucks for it. Just saving trips to gas stations to check my tire pressure, only to find that they are out of order, was worth the price of admission alone. Not to mention the ability to fill up footballs, basketballs, etc. with the included adapters is nice. I also plan on bringing it on long road trips so if I'm ever out in the middle of nowhere I can fill up my tires. This is especially important if you have a slow leak and can't make it to a tire shop for repair for a few days.

 

[alaskaman]

I went to 28 all around when driving through the Yukon. I think it helped.

 

[ric]

for most, it depends on the trail and what tires you have. Ive always aired down to 12PSI, but with my minivan tires, lol Ill air down to about 25PSI I just dont trust the sidewalls.
If you wheel enough, you will get to the point of just throwing the Stauns on, and wheeling, lol
Airing down makes a WORLD of difference :bigok:

 

[boston_kevin]

Keep in mind, many places are now requiring drivers to air down in order to decrease wheel spin. Less wheel spin equals less damage to the trails as people are not tearing up the trails trying to get those dirt rooster tails going. Around me, most trails I go on are near the ocean, so they are all sand. Airing down on sand is a must. Stauns are expensive, but well worth the cost. I can deflate all 4 at the same time and to the same pressure every time and it only takes a minute to do. No tire pressure gauge to check, no running around to make sure I didn't over-deflate a tire.... Very much worth the expense if you are going off-road more than once or twice...