AIR DOWN - YES OR NO?

[MRego]

So, I was off-roading this weekend in Big Bend NP and staying in a nearby ranch. To get to the ranch, I had to traverse 16 miles of a secondary road, 3 of which were gravel and the rest asphalt. Obviously, to get to the ranch I did not air down for the 3 mile gravel and the truck did great in absorbing bumps and wash boards - granted the gravel was very smoothed out. I have the OEM suspension and the only mod is a coil over Westcott Designs lift at the front (it is an HE, so the back is already lifted pretty high).

Now, when going to the actual off-road trails at the Park, I did air down and went about 4 or 5 hours of backcountry terrain, mixed between rocks, gravel, ledges, etc. Airing down for that portion was helpful and I could clearly see the benefit of bringing pressure to about 22/23 PSI, when compared to the regular pressure in the ranch road. My normal pressure is 40ish PSI for onroad travel and I run E-rated KO3s.

My question is sometimes you have to go over some off-road trails and then getting to a point in the main park road which is asphalt, so not good to drive for extended periods with 20psi in the asphalt. If you are in this "on and off" situation for several times, do you still airdown and go (very slowly) through the asphalt portion before getting back offroad or do you simply run the offroad portion without airing down and brave the harshness of the ride? In the latter case, is there really a risk of beating down the suspension components with fully inflated tires to a point of damaging it? Appreciate your thoughts.

 

[ryanCA]

I just did 117 miles in 15psi, off road. 8 miles of asphalt in middle. Left it at 15psi.

It was fine.

 

[tbisaacs]

When in doubt, AIRDOWN

 

[gasman4u]

So, I was off-roading this weekend in Big Bend NP and staying in a nearby ranch. To get to the ranch, I had to traverse 16 miles of a secondary road, 3 of which were gravel and the rest asphalt. Obviously, to get to the ranch I did not air down for the 3 mile gravel and the truck did great in absorbing bumps and wash boards - granted the gravel was very smoothed out. I have the OEM suspension and the only mod is a coil over Westcott Designs lift at the front (it is an HE, so the back is already lifted pretty high).

Now, when going to the actual off-road trails at the Park, I did air down and went about 4 or 5 hours of backcountry terrain, mixed between rocks, gravel, ledges, etc. Airing down for that portion was helpful and I could clearly see the benefit of bringing pressure to about 22/23 PSI, when compared to the regular pressure in the ranch road. My normal pressure is 40ish PSI for onroad travel and I run E-rated KO3s.

My question is sometimes you have to go over some off-road trails and then getting to a point in the main park road which is asphalt, so not good to drive for extended periods with 20psi in the asphalt. If you are in this "on and off" situation for several times, do you still airdown and go (very slowly) through the asphalt portion before getting back offroad or do you simply run the offroad portion without airing down and brave the harshness of the ride? In the latter case, is there really a risk of beating down the suspension components with fully inflated tires to a point of damaging it? Appreciate your thoughts.

Yes. Air down. For sure. @tbisaacs is on the nose

 

[Romer]

I typically stay aired down the whole week in Moab even when there is some hiway travel. I keep it to below 50 mph. If the trail end is a long ways away, I will air up for that portion.

short distances like 10 miles like coming out of Posion Spider of Gold Bar. Long distances I air up like coming out of Wipe out hill or to/from elephant hill

 

[Artie]

I don’t think we aired up while at BBNP except for a long drive back from the end of a trail run where we had camp clear on the other side of the park.

As long as you anticipate the longer braking and don’t take any risky evasive maneuvers you should be fine.

 

[MRego]

Yes. That is what I thought too. A bit concerned because my profile on the tires is 65, so did not want to pop a tire while going in the asphalt, reason why I went no more than 30mph.

 

[Sandroad]

If you’re running 22/23 psi aired down you’ll be fine in mixed driving for only 15 or so miles of pavement. I think heat buildup is the issue with high speeds and low psi, but I’ve often run that far at those pressures on pavement going back to the campground after getting off the dunes. Super comfy ride is a bonus!

 

[skrypj]

I don’t think 23 psi would be that big of a deal for shorter distances on road.

 

[linuxgod]

So, I was off-roading this weekend in Big Bend NP and staying in a nearby ranch. To get to the ranch, I had to traverse 16 miles of a secondary road, 3 of which were gravel and the rest asphalt. Obviously, to get to the ranch I did not air down for the 3 mile gravel and the truck did great in absorbing bumps and wash boards - granted the gravel was very smoothed out. I have the OEM suspension and the only mod is a coil over Westcott Designs lift at the front (it is an HE, so the back is already lifted pretty high).

Now, when going to the actual off-road trails at the Park, I did air down and went about 4 or 5 hours of backcountry terrain, mixed between rocks, gravel, ledges, etc. Airing down for that portion was helpful and I could clearly see the benefit of bringing pressure to about 22/23 PSI, when compared to the regular pressure in the ranch road. My normal pressure is 40ish PSI for onroad travel and I run E-rated KO3s.

My question is sometimes you have to go over some off-road trails and then getting to a point in the main park road which is asphalt, so not good to drive for extended periods with 20psi in the asphalt. If you are in this "on and off" situation for several times, do you still airdown and go (very slowly) through the asphalt portion before getting back offroad or do you simply run the offroad portion without airing down and brave the harshness of the ride? In the latter case, is there really a risk of beating down the suspension components with fully inflated tires to a point of damaging it? Appreciate your thoughts.

I posted in another thread but driving 40mph and half my normal PSI generates less heat in the rear tires than towing. You can drive for a while on low psi, just be aware you shouldn’t drive 55+ and you’re driving on marshmallows so evasive maneuvers will be sketchy.

 

[hoser]

I'll do maybe 15 miles at 18psi and 45mph on road.... but it is certainly tearing up the tires, not to mention fuel mileage. More miles, less pressure or higher speed and I'll think about airing up.

If airing up/down more than once per day, I'd suggest one of those octopus hose devices.

 

[bj70bc]

20+ psi is ok 15 is really pushing it on road

 

[Climbingnut]

I’m with everyone else in airing down off-road. My air compressor and gauge is the most used tool I have. I don’t mind airing up a bit if I’m gonna do over 10km on asphalt, I’ll air up. Like you, I’m usually at 42psi on my E rated KO2’s. Off-road I’m at 20-22psi. If I have more than a few kms on asphalt, I’ll at least bring it back up to 30psi just for my own peace of mind. I personally don’t mind the pause as it gives me a few minutes to look things over underneath the cruiser too.

 

[Heckraiser]

If it's a mixed on/off road situation and the off road is significant enough that I really do want to be aired down for that portion, I'll air down and leave it aired down. For the paved portions just take it a little slower and exercise a little extra caution.