How low can i go

[084runnerltd]

I have Duratrac 285/75/16. I have never lowered the air pressure in them but planning to for an upcoming trip.

How low PSI can I go without the risk of losing the bead??

Thanks

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[mr jits]

I regularly ran about 10 psi in mine. That was a 315/75/16 on an 8" rim. Seemed to float very well and had great side wall flex.

 

[Fast Eddy]

IMO, depends on the terrain. 10psi on sand, maybe 14 or so in the rocks.

 

[Mark W]

Depends on the rim, the terrain, what kind of rig it is under, how you drive it.

No one size fits all answer.

Mark...

 

[084runnerltd]

Ok, sorry for the lack of details. It is on a 96' lx450 with stock rims. The terrian will be mainly rocks.

Just looking for some increased traction, but definitely don't want to deal with a the rubber falling off the rim.

I understand that there isn't one set PSI, but would 20psi be a "safe" number?

I usually just leave them as is, which is about 55psi....

Thanks all.

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[Salue]

I'm on stock rims with 285/75/16 BFG AT's; usually on the dirt/rocky trails I start at 18 and go lower if needed. On the snow, I've gone as low as 8.
Airing down makes a difference with traction and comfort on the trails.

 

[Mark W]

With that rig/tire/wheel combo, 20psi should cause no concerns. I'd confidently drop to 15. If you do drop lower, just be wary of hard and steeply side angled surfaces (like running with the tires on opposite sides of a rock "V"). This can peel a tire right of a rim when under a heavy rig.


Mark...

 

[Delancy]

I usually just leave them as is, which is about 55psi....

Bet that's a comfy ride.....

You ought to experiment with lesser tire pressures for overall ride quality improvement, on road. Your kidneys may thank you.

Yes, they're E rated and yes the sidewall may claim 55psi, but that's for max load capacities, which you're far from. I don't run but 70psi on an F350 that's usually loaded to the GVWR.

Regardless, E rated tires are not going to afford much traction benefits below15psi, since the side walls are stiff.

Can you run less?

Why, yes....it just doesn't afford much of a traction increase, so why run the risk of sidewall punctures or other potential maladies, however rare they may be?

That said, it's still a good practice to air down to minimize tire chunking, especially in the rocks, but don't think that responsible wheeling at 15psi is cause for concern of the bead dislodging.

Have ran KM2s (D rated) on OE LX wheels down to 8psi, literally no increase in traction below 15psi, couldn't visually see the tire deflating less than 20psi, and never pulled a tire off.

 

[Delancy]

Rule of thumb for on road tire pressures.

Always follow the vehicles posted pressures, without exceeding what the tires labelled maximums.

If the vehicle's posted pressures exceed that on the tire, you've bought the wrong tire.

 

[084runnerltd]

Bet that's a comfy ride..... You ought to experiment with lesser tire pressures for overall ride quality improvement, on road. Your kidneys may thank you. Yes, they're E rated and yes the sidewall may claim 55psi, but that's for max load capacities, which you're far from. I don't run but 70psi on an F350 that's usually loaded to the GVWR. Regardless, E rated tires are not going to afford much traction benefits below15psi, since the side walls are stiff. Can you run less? Why, yes....it just doesn't afford much of a traction increase, so why run the risk of sidewall punctures or other potential maladies, however rare they may be? That said, it's still a good practice to air down to minimize tire chunking, especially in the rocks, but don't think that responsible wheeling at 15psi is cause for concern of the bead dislodging. Have ran KM2s (D rated) on OE LX wheels down to 8psi, literally no increase in traction below 15psi, couldn't visually see the tire deflating less than 20psi, and never pulled a tire off.

I think the sidewall says 80psi.

I just left them at what the Goodyear tire shop set them at. You convinced me, gonna drop to to 35ish.

"Comfy ride,"....what is that ?

Edit: My bad, just checked and they are all at 30psi....also noticed I am missing a lugnut cover....not sure why I was thinking 55psi...

 

[fishEH]

I used to run my DuraTracs at about 40psi on the road with my 98 Land Rover Discovery.
I'd drop them to 15-18 no problem. You can start by dropping to 20, and take more out if needed. Remember, it's easier to let air out than it is to put air in.

 

[Southeast Overland]

Start at 20 psi off road and work down from there. 15-16 should be good. Much lower and you will start to see a significant difference in traction but also better chance to lose a bead.

 

[peteinjp]

Start at 20 psi off road and work down from there. 15-16 should be good. Much lower and you will start to see a significant difference in traction but also better chance to lose a bead.

That's exactly what I'm doing. Pic is 20psi on 10 ply (E load rated) 7.50r16's. I usually run them at the factory spec of 27 psi front. It also will depend on terrain as in my case there are occasionally small trees that have been cut down on the trail leaving what amounts to 6 " long spikes sticking up. Wouldn't want to roll the sidewall over a set of those. Pete

 

[Southeast Overland]

That's exactly what I'm doing. Pic is 20psi on 10 ply (E load rated) 7.50r16's. I usually run them at the factory spec of 27 psi front. It also will depend on terrain as in my case there are occasionally small trees that have been cut down on the trail leaving what amounts to 6 " long spikes sticking up. Wouldn't want to roll the sidewall over a set of those. Pete

Not bad. If definitely try a little lower.