Topic: Air down or not?

[LBSlide]

I know I'm a noob but I've heard a lot of different things about airing down tires on the trail. On the few runs I've taken...palm desert...big bear...hungry valley....I haven't aired down my tires. I've felt slipping but popped in 4x4 and no worries. I've been through fist size rocks, sand, hard pack, and a few steep inclines and descents. I know in sand it helps a lot but going on trails sometimes you encounter everything at some point. So my question is how often and in what situations do you air down.......no right or wrong answer

[knightrider]

Everytime I go offroad, I air down.  Its not always about traction, airing down provides a more comfortable ride too.

Not sent with the stupid auto guide app

[Ghost65]

no right or wrong answer

Correct, other than safety once back on the road.

Most of the time, for stock Xterra tires (265's/31") on stock wheels, airing down to 18/20 lbs. off road is both safe and (as knightrider said) makes for a more comfortable ride.  Carrying a mid quality ($100+ with batter alligator clip connectors, not 12V plug in connector) portable air compressor is also a great way to prepare for the end of the trail, so you may "air up" once you have completed your day.

"Airing down" does provide a larger traction patch for the tires, hence better "flotation" across sand and softer soils.  

If you get a chance come out to a trail run and see the different systems that everyone employs and ask questions about how to "air down/up" for your best results.  Also, watching a few videos on YouTube and surfing this Forum as well as other Xterra/off road Forums can help tremendously.

Being prepared for any off road situation is a good thing.

Then you will start the wallet evacuation on cool things like Staun deflators...and on board air...and CO2 fill tanks...etc.  

[Ghost65]

This was the result of running 15 lbs. of air in Moab and trying to climb a shelf obstacle...

Air down or not?

I did it again in Azusa Canyon, but can't seem to find that photo.

[npgtech]

I was actually trying to find those pics from Azusa too, couldn't find them though.

[steve c]

I have a thread similar to this in the camping section.  
(it morphed into a tire pressure thread)

http://www.sccxterra.com/smf/index.php/topic,2042.0.html

I have had one real off road experience since owning my X.  I went up to Santiago Peak via Maple Springs.  At the time I did it, last Saturday, I didn't have the means to air down and then air back up.  It was a bumpy ride.  So, I went amazoning and picked up a few things.  

35psi with E load BFG ATs = bumpy ride!

Air down or not?

ARB EZ deflator
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004LQCDOA/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Air down or not?

[/URL]

Video on how to use it.  



ARB Tire Repair Kit  (Hopefully I never have to use it! )
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004P91FCO/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Air down or not?

ARB Tire inflator
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036ULEV0/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I bought this before I had settled on a 12v compressor.  

Air down or not?

VIAIR 300P Portable Compressor
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000X90YUO/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Air down or not?

Keen eyed observers will notice that the compressor comes with a tire inflator with gauge.  So now I have a bit of redundancy.  BUT, once I install onboard air with lines coming out of the front and rear bumpers I can be doing the front tires and the copilot can be doing the rears!  HA, I'm smart!

I'm going on a Big Bear camping trip this weekend (very excited) and will be doing some of the FS roads up there.  I'll report back and let everyone know how it goes!

Air down or not?

[BrO-J]

I air down to 15psi in the rocks and dirt and 6psi in mud sand and snow.

[Paul]

How low you go depends on the terrain and tires.

The BFG KM and KO's have thick multi-ply sidewalls so I go down to 18 and call it good. The tire's fatten out lengthwise giving more contact with the trail. Aired down you have to remember those sidewalls are doing lots more work so limit your speeds. On trails like the Bradshaw the trail in many places can support cruising at 45-50 mph as it's a hard packed semi-improved road. So even though I feel like I could go faster I'll set the cruise control to 35-40 mph.

[SuperSlideStyle]

I always tell guys to get their first copressor at Pep Boys.  They have a red Tsunami MF-1050 trail compressor for $65.  It comes with battery clips so its pretty strong.

Like they all stated.  Airing down to 15-18 psi makes for a MUCH SMOOOOTHER ride and increased traction.

[MaxPower]

Air down or not?

[/URL]

That looks just like the one I have but mine is from Currie Enterprises.  Currently it's $31.99 and works pretty awesome.  I wonder which came first Currie or ARB? 

http://www.quadratec.com/products/95202_402.htm?sgsc=C6Z06ZR1C6Z06ZR1&utm_medium=compshop&utm_source=googlemerchant&gclid=CKPjmKvK2LkCFak1QgodaQ4Auw

[Ghost65]

I was actually trying to find those pics from Azusa too, couldn't find them though.

I think a little gremlin deleted those pics.