16.5" wheels with TSLs, how low can I air them down to?

[SLO C5]

I have 39.5 x 15 TSLs on 16.5" wheels. If I want to go play around in the dunes, what is the lowest PSI I can drop them while minimizing the chance of breaking the bead?

I've heard 16.5" wheels are notorious for separating from the tire. True? IAnd, why or why not?

 

[boz42]

You are right, I would be scared to go lower than 15lbs. I have seen tham unseat the beads with 20 lbs & just in a mudhole.

 

[muddybuddy]

its because they dont have the safety bead on the rim i believe. buddy has gotten tire tire off the rim at 20psi when wheeling. they were 39.5x18 boggers

 

[desertrat67]

I had 38X12.5 X16.5 TSLs on my crewcab and never had any problems running down to about 11 or 12 PSI in the front or 8-10 in the rear. I blew the front bead once on an off camber hill backing down with my right door facing directly down the hill. This ws at less than 10 psi. My TSLs don't even start to bulge until 10 psi. I say try a little lower until you blow a bead and stay above that mark from then on. Oh, have a spare handy if you try this.

 

[chulisohombre]

15-20 lbs

i have 35s and have never aired them down past 15.the tire still has enuf give to have a decent footprint and not come off the bead.the problem with 16.5 inch rims is that the bead is at a 45 degree angle instead of 90 like most other rims.i dont know why they did this but thems the way it is i guess.if i woulda known this ahead of time i would of gotten 16 inch rims to still fit over my brakes and have the better bead.there is also a better selection of tires for the 16's.but its a lil late for that.i also was going to get hummvee tires for my truck,but found a better deal elsewhere.definitely keep a full size spare handy if you air down past 20 psi.