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Tire pressure questions.

udy2554

udy2554

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Tomorrow, I get to go wheeling. It will be a mix of logging trails on pretty steep hills, mud bogs, and some rock crawling. My Blazer is alright in the mud, but I lack some traction and horsepower. Not really a rock crawler, the 4.10's and 38's don't help with the crawl ratio. But overall it does OK. Where I really suffer is on hills, especially wet and muddy.

My question is about how low can I go before I start risking losing a bead. I have 16.5x10 steelies with 38x15.5 radial swampers. The inner tread does not clean well with clay. The tires pack up fast and I lose momentum fast on any incline. I run 50psi on the road, but how low can I safely go on the trail and not spin a bead or lose the whole tire.

Any suggestions are welcome. However it goes, pics will follow. I just don't want to embarrass myself among Jeeps and a Scout II. I think there will be a couple full sizers too.
 
i wouldn't go lower than 20psi w/ 16.5 rims.
 
Thanks, these are the things I need to hear. That no safety bead thing kinda scares me. It'll be next year till I can afford new tires AND rims. Hopefully 17"s, or investing in some Staun beadlocks.
 
50 seems excessive on the street too... I generally run 30 to 35 on the street...
 
I was running 35-40, but it felt a little squishy. Loose and rolly. I should probably slow down in the curves anyway, but the higher pressure on the road seems to feel more stable.

I do appreciate the thoughts though, thanks.:bow:
 
K5Greek said:
maybe its his tires. the tires i have on mine i think recommend 50psi
Click to expand...

There is alot to be said about "recommended" tire pressure.

There are a couple things that will determine "ideal" tire pressure. The width of the wheel, and the weight of the vehicle play a HUGE role in what the tire pressure should be for optimal mileage and wear resistance. The easiest way to get the correct tire pressure is to do a "wet test". You basically will spray the tire with water and then drive over a piece of paper and then adjust tire pressure until you have the full contact pattern of the tread on the paper. If you plan on towing then go up with the pressure, if you plan on wheeling then go down with the pressure.

I run 35-38psi in my BFG's and i get 50-60K out of a set of tires.
 
4X4HIGH said:
There is alot to be said about "recommended" tire pressure.

There are a couple things that will determine "ideal" tire pressure. The width of the wheel, and the weight of the vehicle play a HUGE role in what the tire pressure should be for optimal mileage and wear resistance. The easiest way to get the correct tire pressure is to do a "wet test". You basically will spray the tire with water and then drive over a piece of paper and then adjust tire pressure until you have the full contact pattern of the tread on the paper. If you plan on towing then go up with the pressure, if you plan on wheeling then go down with the pressure.

I run 35-38psi in my BFG's and i get 50-60K out of a set of tires.
Click to expand...


Yep screw what they recommend. You inflate/deflate until you have a full footprint at loaded weight.
 
I run my 43s on 16.5s around 4 psi and air up to 15 psi..... on h1 locks :)
Honestly if I were you I would run like 15 in front and 10 in back. Anyone got OBA?
 
OBA is available to air back up. I will drop to 35psi for the drive to the trail just to see how it feels on the road. It's only a 5 or so mile drive to the trail. I won't go much below 20-25, just for my own peace of mind, on the trail.:o

I definitely need to be rid of the 16.5's, but I don't have the cash to do it now.:(

Thanks for all the replies and help.:bow:

I've been running the 50psi for milage and handling. The tires have worn well with little to no cupping in the front, but I do rotate them every oil change.

Thanks again to all. I will have pictures up later today.:D
 
If you have OBA there then take a good ratchet strap and if you blow a bead just put the strap around the tire, tighten up and air up. I would still run 15/10. Also I would run 20 or so on the way there to break in your tires some. I had to tun my new 43s around 5psi for a day on 2 track trails to get them to sart flexing and working good.
 
Just got back!! Had some good fun, not so hot on the steep hills. It was a little loose and I didn't want to rut up the trails, but I got around fine.

I ran 20psi on the trails and mud. Didn't get too abusive, but still got dirty.

I will post up some pics on a separate thread.

Thanks again for all the help. Fun was had!!
 
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