Tire Pressure Tip for newbies to the sport

[DeadlyPeace]

Here's a tip mainly for those newbies to the sport of 4wheeling. Or those that just never thought or heard of it. But I'm sure if you've been doing it for a while you already know.


Click Here

[Kpooch75]

These tips courtesy of 4X4Fred

"The best way to check for proper press. is to get the tire hot(5-10 miles), check across the tread w/a temp. gun. If the centers hotter, lower the press. until it's even across. If the outer edges are hotter, raise the press. Another way is to find a nice new parking lot. Take white chalk, put a line across the tire & drive 100 yards. See where the chalk's worn off. Same theory as the temp. gun. The chalk will wear off where the press. is highest."

[ScrubSpeed]

Good write up!

Airing down is also useful for mountain bikes as well. Air down from 65 psi to 25-30 psi for muddy soft situatuations. Any lower and the tire might fall off.

For speed offroad racing in the dry, higher tire pressure is recommended. Typical 33lbs is raised up to 40-44lbs. so the tire doesn't fall off the bead during speed cornering. The limit of the higher pressure depends on your max tire pressure and tire size. Remember to lower the pressure back to normal after the event.

Regardless, carrying an aircompressor is good to have just in case.

[bad88pickup]

how low can i go with out beadlocks i have 32 superswampers no bead locks if i go down to 10 or 12 will i pop the bead of the rim or would it be ok? i wheel on lots of tight trail going over falling down trees over big rocks long climbs and lots of mud.

[DeadlyPeace]

I run mine at 7psi, and about the lowest I would go. One of the guys I wheel with runs his at 3 psi. He has broke the bead a couple time, but so far I haven't.

[bad88pickup]

thanks for the info.

[ericW]

i run my swampers at 4 rear 5 front for tough stuff, 6 rear 8 front normally. my friend's samy runs 2!! never borken a bead, but thats a feather light vehicle. they are getting softer/flexier after several months of hard wheeling, so i don't have to go down as low as much.

edit: for airing down, don't bother with one of those kits, 3 out of 4 ppl i know say they were a waste of money, goto an autoparts store and buy a valve core tool, most ppl call them valve core pullers, u can air down in about 2 minutes.(whichis realy fast for 33x1350 swampers.)

[4xfred]

ericW said:

edit: for airing down, don't bother with one of those kits, 3 out of 4 ppl i know say they were a waste of money, goto an autoparts store and buy a valve core tool, most ppl call them valve core pullers, u can air down in about 2 minutes.(whichis realy fast for 33x1350 swampers.)

;D It'd help if we knew how many people you know. B/C@ least one's smart. The Staun deflators are worth every penny spent. No fuss, no hassle, BS w/your buds while airing down. And, from what I've seen, they're a lifetime item. Later...

www.4by4connection.com/stauntirdef.html

[Hoodlum]

Thank you for the link 4xfred I'll be gettin them soon

[DeadlyPeace]

I've been using Oasis deflators (www.oasis-off-road.com/tireInflatorDeflator.html) for a quite a few years now. The nice thing with these type of deflators is that you can just put them on and go. No need to sit around for 2-5 min (or more) to air down. Or as 4x mentioned, you can also BS with every buddy or even help them out airing their tire down. ;D

[1990SR5]

how low can i go for my stock tires and wheels

[rockcrawlintoy]

i have dropped down to 2 psi with 15x8 rims and there was times i was doin 30 mph in the snow gettin airborne no lost beads yet

Drew

[Forgotten]

Just to let you monkeys know Wal-Mart also sells these valve stem pullers ;D

[siambxr]

So this tread doesn't say anything about after wheeling and your on the road on your way home.. Lets say you have a set of 33s MTRs what would you run em while on black top?

[DrumBum]

siambxr said:

what would you run em while on black top?

i run about 33-35 psi on the street, depending on how i feel at the time i'm airing up.... seems to be about the norm from everyone i've talked to. i think most people run somewhere between 32-40 psi
also look at the second post in this thread for the best way to set your tire pressure

[siambxr]

Shaizer ! i have been running 45 psi on my 05 Taco.. runs good doesn't really bounce.. just afraid it might get louder with less air pressure...

[DrumBum]

i'd say if you're running 45 psi and you're happy with that, run it! it's not gonna hurt anything

[94cnytoy]

45??
Air must be cheap in your area!


That's a little too high. Youll wear the center tread of the tires quickly and also loose performance from lack of full tire to road contact. Yes, the center treads that touch the road do have a higher contact pressure because your running them round^.
Stew

[nuclear3579]

I agree, 45 is a little high for a DD truck with 33's. Personally, I run 33's with 35psi.... It's a good pressure for highway use, and I have fine traction off road also. I ran 45 for a little while trying to figure out if I had a leak, and didn't notice any difference in tire noise between 45psi and 35psi...mabey a little, too little to audibly notice.

[DrumBum]

94cnytoy said:

45??
Air must be cheap in your area!
Stew

haha....
anyway, yeah, listen to these guys.... sometimes i get a little backwards in my thinking ... might wanna give the chalk thing a shot too