Tire deflation recommendation

Could use some advice. If the terrain calls for me to deflate my tires what is a good PSI to go down to? I have AT3s 285/70/17.

thank you!

 

This weblink may help ya': https://jacosuperiorproducts.com/bl... pressure of,around rocks and avoid punctures.


Guideline for Ideal Tire Pressure for Different Off-Road Conditions
While the optimal tire pressure can vary depending on specific circumstances, the following guidelines can serve as a starting point:

• Sand or Loose Gravel: Aim for 12-15 psi to increase your tire’s footprint and prevent the vehicle from sinking or slipping.
• Rocky Terrains: A pressure of 15-20 psi can help your tires wrap around rocks and avoid punctures.
• Mud: Depending on the mud's depth and stickiness, anywhere from 15-20 psi can help avoid getting stuck.
• Snow: Similar to sand, 12-15 psi can help your vehicle 'float' on top of snow.

 

There is no single answer. Full inflation for 285/70 LT tires is around 40-42. For a mix of easy gravel and short slow runs on pavement you could run in the mid 20s. Trails a little lower. And below 10 for snow or sand with no sharp turns. Be careful not to drag branches and roots into the beads.

 

Wow. Thank you so much. This was exactly what I was looking for. THANK YOU!

 

Thank you for the reply. Great advice you provided

 

I typically go to 20 psi and then lower if I need to. Have a compressor to air back up viair.com is good.

 

Good stuff there. I have 50+ years experience driving in deep soft sand on Bodie, Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands on the NC Outer Banks.. I learned, from a bunch of Dessert Rats out West, a good rule of thumb for radials in such sand.

Load your vehicle, including passengers, as it will be in the sand. Have tires inflated to recommended street pressure for that load. Then on level pavement measure the height from the pavement to the bottom of the rim. Note it may vary front to back depending on load. Then drop the pressure until the height is 3/4 the the street pressure height. Again front and back may vary.

This will give you a nice flat footprint that will more easily “float” over the sand and not dig in and push down into the sand as “hard” tires tend to do. Also steady, slow progress is best and avoid spinning as that will dig you in and can frame you out on the sand. Then it is shovel time. Best to back up some distance in your tracks and then go slowly forward again.

You can test your pressure by driving on the sand and letting off the gas. If you continue to roll you are generally good to go. If you stop rolling as soon as you let off the gas or quickly thereafter, you probably need to drop the pressure a bit more.

BTW another problem with under inflation can be the center of the tread concaving in toward the rim so you are basically riding on the edges which can also tend to dig in.