Airing Down

[badams]

This may be a stupid question, but how much additional risk of sidewall puncture am I exposing my tires to by not airing down? I am running on MTRs which seem to have pretty good sidewalls to begin with.

I have noticed that on some trails all I need is another half inch or inch of clearance to keep my diff/shock mounts from getting hung up. I have 2x lockers & traction isn't as big a deal as clearance in certain places.

 

[chevtech]

This may be a stupid question, but how much additional risk of sidewall puncture am I exposing my tires to by not airing down? I am running on MTRs which seem to have pretty good sidewalls to begin with.

I have noticed that on some trails all I need is another half inch or inch of clearance to keep my diff/shock mounts from getting hung up. I have 2x lockers & traction isn't as big a deal as clearance in certain places.

Of course not airing down will also cause you to get beat to snot on the washboard and rocks that you are running over. Airing down is worth it just for that if you ask me.

There is no one set answer to your question. Depends on too many variables. What the right pressure to air down to also depends on many variables. Rim size, tire size, vehicle weight, beadlocks, what kind of environment you wheel in etc.... But if you just want to maintain a little more clearance try just airing down to about (depends on your vehicle) say 16-18 PSI. You'll get a little bit of the best of both worlds that way.

 

[RockMonkey]

Of course not airing down will also cause you to get beat to snot on the washboard and rocks that you are running over. Airing down is worth it just for that if you ask me.

There is no one set answer to your question. Depends on too many variables. What the right pressure to air down to also depends on many variables. Rim size, tire size, vehicle weight, beadlocks, what kind of environment you wheel in etc.... But if you just want to maintain a little more clearance try just airing down to about (depends on your vehicle) say 16-18 PSI. You'll get a little bit of the best of both worlds that way.

Wait wait wait... Air down to 16-18???

 

[Herzog]

Wait wait wait... Air down to 16-18???

This may be a stupid question, but how much additional risk of sidewall puncture am I exposing my tires to by not airing down? I am running on MTRs which seem to have pretty good sidewalls to begin with.

I have noticed that on some trails all I need is another half inch or inch of clearance to keep my diff/shock mounts from getting hung up. I have 2x lockers & traction isn't as big a deal as clearance in certain places.

What size tire & wheel are you running?

It will definately get you a better & smoother ride over the rocks, and increase your traction a ton... I think I keep my 38's around 8 psi.

 

[chevtech]

Wait wait wait... Air down to 16-18???

Read his post

 

[Hickey]

In my opinion (which is totally useless), You don't get any benefit from the airing down of tires until you go below 12 psi. Anything over that is just gonna give a smoother ride, without the benefit of increased traction. When I had 35's on my CJ with stock axles, I ran 8 psi and it was perfect. I now run 5 psi with 38's.

 

[badams]

What size tire & wheel are you running?

33x12.5 MTRs on 15x8 alloys.

 

[chevtech]

33x12.5 MTRs on 15x8 alloys.

With those tires and rims you could probably run about 12-14 PSI without losing much ground clearance (I thought you might have a stock TJ rubicon from your description with the 31" tires) if any at all. What have you been running? Hickey is right though, you won't get much traction benefit (though you'll get a little) at 14 psi.

Down in the 12-16 psi range it won't make to much difference (imo) as far as sidewall puncture risk. So if you want the ground clearance, try it.

 

[tweakeyjeep]

I don't know if I agree with that...

But what do I know, I'm just some stupid punk kid on this forum...

I tried an obstacle running 30 psi in my tires... Didn't have very good traction... So I aired down to 12, I had a lot better traction, a lot better ride... I don't know if I dare go down any more, I don't have beadlocks... I think 10 is my limit, so I keep it at 12.

That's with 33x12.5 on 15x8's in a YJ.

Just my $.02

 

[mbryson]

Never lost a bead with my 32" tires at 6 psi..........run my 35" a little higher or I end up using up spare D30 parts fast......

 

[Cody]

back in the day I used to run my 33" General Grabbers as 11 and 9 (front/rear). That worked awesome. Heavier rigs need more psi.

I run my 37" MTR's at 8 and 6 and have never had a problem. I do have beadlocks though.

Cody

 

[greenjeep]

back in the day I used to run my 33" General Grabbers as 11 and 9 (front/rear). That worked awesome. Heavier rigs need more psi.

I run my 37" MTR's at 8 and 6 and have never had a problem. I do have beadlocks though.

Cody

I also run 37 MTRs, and I really, really don't want the hassle of loosing a bead. How low is low enough without the risk of loosing a bead?

 

[Cody]

I used to run them at about 9/7 and I honestly don't think I would have ever lost a bead. My rig is pretty light though--especially in the rear.

Cody

 

[Hickey]

Never lost a bead with my 32" tires at 6 psi..........run my 35" a little higher or I end up using up spare D30 parts fast......

Yeah, but what do you know? you are just some punk Moderator on this forum....

 

[Hickey]

How low is low enough without the risk of loosing a bead?

try 8 psi. I used to run that on the street with my 35 Good queer MT's.