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Old 03-12-2012, 08:54 PM   #1
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Tire Pressure - Off Road, Low or High?

I've read through a lot of the threads, but they got a bit too complex for what I hope is a more basic question. When going off road, as far as preventing over-heating and tire failure, are lower pressures (thinking 30-40 psi) or higher pressures (50-60 psi) better?

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Old 03-13-2012, 09:05 AM   #2
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Tire Pressure - Off Road, Low or High?

If your goal is to protect your tires, high pressure does that. Some of the reasons to lower your tire pressure are to improve traction and smooth out the ride.
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Old 03-13-2012, 10:25 AM   #3
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Re: Tire Pressure - Off Road, Low or High?

Yes, lowering pressure is good for traction and comfort, but it can serve to protect your tires in some situations by flexing against sharp objects rather than puncturing. Even that's a tradeoff since lower pressure can cause pinch flats.
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Old 03-13-2012, 01:48 PM   #4
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Re: Tire Pressure - Off Road, Low or High?

On the highway I run 70psi on the front and 80psi in the rear. Off roading I run 50psi in the front and 60psi in the rear. When I came through Steel Pass, I think I would have taken chunks out of my aluminum rims if I had been any lower. Check these pictures of when did Steel Pass. http://beckersminerals.com/pages/dvn..._3_2010-2.html
When the washboard bumps are bad I just slow down and I can still run down the highway at a good speed without airing up.
Running lower pressurs would make me worry about the sidewalls

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Old 03-13-2012, 01:54 PM   #5
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Re: Tire Pressure - Off Road, Low or High?

Good article from ARB on the subject.

http://arbusa.wordpress.com/2011/10/...ire-pressures/
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Old 03-13-2012, 05:21 PM   #6
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Re: Tire Pressure - Off Road, Low or High?

Quote:
Originally Posted by woodbee
On the highway I run 70psi on the front and 80psi in the rear. Off roading I run 50psi in the front and 60psi in the rear. When I came through Steel Pass, I think I would have taken chunks out of my aluminum rims if I had been any lower. Check these pictures of when did Steel Pass. http://beckersminerals.com/pages/dvn..._3_2010-2.html
When the washboard bumps are bad I just slow down and I can still run down the highway at a good speed without airing up.
Running lower pressurs would make me worry about the sidewalls

Woody
Depending on tire size and air volume, that pressure would vibrate my teeth out. I run your off road psi as my on-road pressure.
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Old 03-13-2012, 05:27 PM   #7
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Re: Tire Pressure - Off Road, Low or High?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tapatio
Good article from ARB on the subject.

http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/pos...ply&f=3&t=8726
Bad link.
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Old 03-13-2012, 05:37 PM   #8
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Re: Tire Pressure - Off Road, Low or High?

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5245

Try that link.

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Old 03-13-2012, 05:54 PM   #9
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Re: Tire Pressure - Off Road, Low or High?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tapatio
Good article from ARB on the subject.

http://arbusa.wordpress.com/2011/10/...ire-pressures/
Bad link.

Fixed
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Old 03-14-2012, 07:52 AM   #10
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Re: Tire Pressure - Off Road, Low or High?

Lots of other info here on the forum. For what its worth, I run 50 psi on pavement and 2O to 25 psi in the dirt.
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