To air down or to not air down?

[Cooper Howe]

Should you air down your tires on dirt/gravel roads while off-roading?

If so what PSI should I run at with the stock tires and wheels?

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

it all depends on your comfort level and how rough the road is. i usually dont air down unless im in sand, but in rocky stuff dropping 8-10 psi would be a smoother ride

 

[wheelman55]

Should you air down your tires on dirt/gravel roads while off-roading?

If so what PSI should I run at with the stock tires and wheels?

Cooper...what psi are you running now?

 

[XLandrJP]

Gravel and dirts roads, with wash boarding and ruts. Bone stock including tires.

30 PSI Good
25 PSI BAD! The compression and rebound of the tire is out of phase with the shocks frequently.

38 PSI BEST! Surprisingly.

Several 20mi runs on same trail.

I’ve been airing down for rock crawling, too...but I think I’m going to try 38PSI for that soon. I’m suspecting the added tire height will help with clearance and angles.

For reference, I would typically air down my JK to 14PSI on 37s. And that was superior in all driving modes. I’m surprised by the Raptor and lower PSI not working well. Counterintuitive.

 

[Marspool]

Sand only here if airing down.

 

[PorterW1111]

Gravel and dirts roads, with wash boarding and ruts.


38 PSI BEST! Surprisingly.

What are you running on road if you "air down" to 38?!

 

[Deleted member 12951]

Never heard of airing down causing issues with shocks, new one there.

On my GEN1, I air down to 36 so the TPMS light doesn’t come on and if I do get a flat, I will know right away.

But I have aired down to 25 rear / 28 front when off-roading with no issues. Just be aware when taking corners fast so you don’t de-bead.

On my GEN2, I aired down to 27/30 and had no issues.

 

[jzweedyk]

I always air down off road and I have not noticed any problems with my shocks on my 19. I highly recommend it. Depending on the conditions and speed somewhere between 14 and 20 psi. I am lightly loaded and a Scab. On road 35/32.

 

[hdvvraptor]

only air down in sand to 20 psi

 

[adllewis42]

Like everyone else has said, it just depends on how rocky the road is, how long I'm going to be on it, and what level of comfort I'm looking for. If it's just a gravel road, I wont bother.