? about airing down
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Elder User
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? about airing down
Going to the coast and wondering about airing down in the sand. What PSI do you air down to? What does this help? Should I need to do this. We plan on driving the National sea shore, maybe play in the sand dunes. Some lose sand some pack well from everone driving on it. Last year we did have alittle trouble in the lose stuff but now with the bigger tires will I need to do this still. Thanks for the info. 
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
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From: Senoia, GA
i am going to assume that we are talking about your truck in your avaatr.... with that being said i am also going to assume that you are running 16.5" wheels. if i were you i would run about 12-13 psi. much more than that and it will be kind of difficult to turn (as well as being in danger of losing a bead) and much more than that and you will still sink. and if you are running 16.5" wheels i think i would stick to no less than 15psi, i dont kow how good you are at mounting tires but i wouldnt wanna have to deal with it
-cutts-
-cutts-
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: iowa
the truck in his avatar looks to be a superduty, if so that should have 16" not 16.5s which would be a lot better to air down. I would try it at full preasure if you start having ANY troubles drop it down some and experiment with it so see how much. probably air down to start to like 35psi then if you need more start dropping 5psi down to around 20psi and then if you need more just a little at a time. That way you don't air down more than you need to in order to get through fine.
Edit I just looked in his gallery it says they are 18" rims, so I don't know about them.
Edit I just looked in his gallery it says they are 18" rims, so I don't know about them.
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Elder User
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Thanks guys I will try it without first and if needed I'll drop it 5 at a time. Yes they are 18;s with 37x14x18 nitto terra grapplers. The rims have a very heavy bead built into them. I run them at 40 psi right now, but airing down. Will it help for sinking or trackion?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Louisiana
Originally Posted by texcan
Will it help for sinking or trackion?
Unless you have a on board air compressor, and you'd get getting on the road right after wheeling(playing) alittle, then don't air down much at all(because you might start getting uneven tire wear, which can ruin a tire).
Like previously mintion and you said, if you need to air down no more than 20 PSI.
Good luck
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: GR, Michigan
I run 4-5 psi on the dunes (38x15x16.5), but I also have onboard air so I can fill back up. I would not go so low unless you know you can fill them up and that they have been mounted a few months so the tire will not spin on the bead. You would be surprised how much better floatation a you get with single digit psi. I have done this with multiple trucks over 26 years and have yet to pull a tire off the bead. But for newbies with fullsize trucks I recommend 15 psi front and 12 psi rear, if you have a place to fill them before getting back on the road.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Atlanta GA
> What PSI do you air down to?
I do not do sand, but, never lower then 20 psi.
One, because at that pressure you can get at least a foot of tread, length wise, on the ground.
Two, Because I hate popping a bead which usually means changing the tire off-road in the worse possible position, on a hill.
Three, It takes forever for the smaller 12V compressors to fill up tires nearly flat. If I put in 10-20 psi in each tire I can at least drive on road at slow speeds to make it to a gas station. If I plan on airing down where there is not a gas station I take two compressors. One runs off the battery with clip, the other the 12V power point.
I do not do sand, but, never lower then 20 psi.
One, because at that pressure you can get at least a foot of tread, length wise, on the ground.
Two, Because I hate popping a bead which usually means changing the tire off-road in the worse possible position, on a hill.
Three, It takes forever for the smaller 12V compressors to fill up tires nearly flat. If I put in 10-20 psi in each tire I can at least drive on road at slow speeds to make it to a gas station. If I plan on airing down where there is not a gas station I take two compressors. One runs off the battery with clip, the other the 12V power point.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: San Antonio, Texas
Last time I went surf fishing at big shell, I didnt air down any and my bronco performed great, no sinking, or traction problems even in the soft stuff.
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are you talking about the national seashore in texas(guessing by your "texcan")?
if you are the driving as been a little bad latley lots of people stuck as soon as you leave the asphalt, but those are the folks in 2 wheel drives(even thou they are in the 2 weel drive area). I never air down and don't have that much of an issue. Remember take a shovel, boards, tow rope, and a 5 gallon bucket to wet the sand in case you get stuck. The ruts have have been deep, although looking at your ride i don't think you will have issues. Hopefully the sargassam is starting to disappear, a few weeks ago it was so bad all the driving lines where up high. And there is no playing in the dunes there.
if you are the driving as been a little bad latley lots of people stuck as soon as you leave the asphalt, but those are the folks in 2 wheel drives(even thou they are in the 2 weel drive area). I never air down and don't have that much of an issue. Remember take a shovel, boards, tow rope, and a 5 gallon bucket to wet the sand in case you get stuck. The ruts have have been deep, although looking at your ride i don't think you will have issues. Hopefully the sargassam is starting to disappear, a few weeks ago it was so bad all the driving lines where up high. And there is no playing in the dunes there.
Last edited by acf83; Jun 7, 2006 at 10:39 AM.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Tulare U.S.A.
I used to go to the dunes at Pismo in cali. We always aired down to 15lbs to start with and then went down from their depending on the cond. of the sand. If the sand is damp 15lbs is good but if its dry and their is alot of drift sand you will need to go lower. I wouldent go any lower than 8lbs unless you have a air sorce with you. Also if you have 16.5s ( which you dont) they have no safty bead and will pop off the bead very easily. I wouldent go any lower than 15lbs. (as already mentioned)
Leadmic
Leadmic
Lead Driver
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From: Senoia, GA
Originally Posted by BroncoRoadKill
Last time I went surf fishing at big shell, I didnt air down any and my bronco performed great, no sinking, or traction problems even in the soft stuff.
-cutts-
Post Fiend
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From: Louisiana
fish, those broncos are heavy. Dry I want to say it weighs a touch under 5K. Either way, the superduty weighs more, but just saying.
I had my 31x10.50R15 in some mud with about 15-20 psi, and I lost a bead.... wasn't fun. From what ya'll are saying, that's plenty of air to wheel with, and I shouldn't of lost it(but this isn't my area of expertees, so I'll leave it at that).
I had my 31x10.50R15 in some mud with about 15-20 psi, and I lost a bead.... wasn't fun. From what ya'll are saying, that's plenty of air to wheel with, and I shouldn't of lost it(but this isn't my area of expertees, so I'll leave it at that).
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
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From: Senoia, GA
for some reason i assumed he was talking about an EB, guess i am just in that frame of mind!
however, just like you said... those diesels are a goood bit heavier than a small block 351. not to mention the crew cab long bed. even a couple hundred pounds can make the difference b/t getting stuck and making it out
i pulled a buddy of mine out with a BB and i was surprise di had to get the ****** block out, those things are heavy
-cutts-
however, just like you said... those diesels are a goood bit heavier than a small block 351. not to mention the crew cab long bed. even a couple hundred pounds can make the difference b/t getting stuck and making it out
i pulled a buddy of mine out with a BB and i was surprise di had to get the ****** block out, those things are heavy
-cutts-
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
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From: Senoia, GA
Originally Posted by MBBFord
Those early Broncos don't weigh much more than 3,500 right.
I'm wanting to get one about 250 miles away, and I'm wanting to tow it back with a SUV, and don't want to over load it.
I'm wanting to get one about 250 miles away, and I'm wanting to tow it back with a SUV, and don't want to over load it.
-cutts-