Off road tire pressure (for rocks)

[RuggedH2]

Anybody want to let me in on the off road pressure they feel comfortable with for rocks?

I have Toyo M/T 35's. As you can see, the tires have much "play" left in them. I have run from 20 psi all the way down to 15 for rocks.

I want to go lower pressure for the traction, but obviously don't want the beads popping. Does anybody here run lower pressure than 15 on the stock H3 wheels, with success? My friends with Jeeps routinely run 10-12 psi, but those rigs don't weigh what we weigh.

Thoughts?

[Sewie]

I've gone as low as 12 PSI, but usually run between 15-18.

[blindzebra]

day to day I run 45 psi. the ride is better, and the front wears much slower.

[Sewie]

Originally Posted by NOMOYELLO

BUT WHAT PSI DO U RUN ON THE DAY 2 DAY ?????THAT SEEMS 2 B THE MYSTERY.......

I run 40-42 PSI on the street. Anything over that and the Toyos start to crown.

[RuggedH2]

Thanks Sewie.

I'm thinking I'll run 12 this weekend. If that works ok, I might try 10.

I won't know if it works until I try.

That is unless someone already knows better and speaks up.

[HummBebe]

Originally Posted by 03H3

Thanks Sewie.

I'm thinking I'll run 12 this weekend. If that works ok, I might try 10.

I won't know if it works until I try.

That is unless someone already knows better and speaks up.

I personally wouldn't recommend anything lower than 15 for rocks. For snow or sand maybe. Keep in mind, when going over rocks, not only can you pop a bead, but you can seriously bruise a tire making it useless.

You can do anything you like, but I would advise against it.

[SR1355]

I'd run no lower than 15# on rock, I run 12# on sand but the isn't much to damage a tire on in the dunes...

Have fun this weekend you lucky dog....

[RuggedH2]

The problem with 15 is that there is enough pressure within the tire, that it still doesn't "conform" to the rock much at all.

I realize that even at 10, it isn't gonna "conform" around rocks like a bead locked wheel at 6 (or lower).

I'm looking for a balance here that I can live with. Bruised tires are a real possibility. So are broken parts. I think running less air may also add additional stress to the already weak front axle. The only plan I have to counter this, is limiting wheel spin and hop, (trying the old BTM) and driving it slow. (Good spotting will help, I'll have Neo watching them for me)

I'm gonna give the lower pressures a shot. See if it makes a difference. It might not be worth the gamble, we'll have to see. The H3 is a good rig, it isn't gonna be made into a great rock rig, by just lowering the tire pressure. Just looking for the right balance here, if it turns out to be safe, might make it worth it. I'm glad Toyo strengthened the sidewalls on these.

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it.

[stagger_lee]

I usually just let all the air out, it gives you the most surface area.

[RuggedH2]

Shut it fagger!

that .02 worth 0 on this.

[deserth3]

I ran fins and things with Jerry Seiner Hummer Happenings last month. Left the tires at 35 and didn't have any problems.
This weekend I'll try them at 30psi and see if there's any difference. I'm still running the stock 285's

[Desert Dan]

deserth3

You will notice a difference in traction and ride.

I like the tires to do half the work of the suspension

Lowering psi on harsh high-speed wash board roads makes a heck of difference too.

[usetosellhummer]

I like 18-22, they heat up on the trail. any lower you always risk a slip off the rim. i saw a guy do the lighter fluid trick to put the rubber back on his h1 rim. It was cool.

[RuggedH2]

I have a heavy ratchet strap and a can of brake cleaner if necessary. The compressor is on the truck.

If it does pop a bead it will suck, but shouldn't be anything to start bawlin about. Plenty of high lifts will be along on this trip.

[HummBebe]

Originally Posted by 03H3

Shut it fagger!

that .02 worth 0 on this.

[RuggedH2]

Beebs,

I think stagger lee is OK.

So far he didn't bring much to this discussion, but if I (n)ever wanted an opinion of how the liberal hippy commune community felt about the Bush Administrations handling of foreign policy; he'd be the first deadhead I asked.

Occasionally, threads around here have a way of going straight into the crapper. I was hoping to pull some experience and knowledge out it, before that happened.

[deserth3]

I was just pulling off my side rails and noticed my rear diff is wet. Hopefully I can run it to the dealer before work tomarrow.

When I had the tires at 35 the ride was still pretty good offroad. It'll be interesting to feel the difference at 30. I'm not crazy about going any lower, where I'm staying is about 20 miles from Neocon's house.

[stagger_lee]

Originally Posted by 03H3

Beebs,

I think stagger lee is OK.

So far he didn't bring much to this discussion, but if I (n)ever wanted an opinion of how the liberal hippy commune community felt about the Bush Administrations handling of foreign policy; he'd be the first deadhead I asked.

Occasionally, threads around here have a way of going straight into the crapper. I was hoping to pull some experience and knowledge out it, before that happened.

Hey F you guys! haha j/k. What, like 4 people gave the right answer of 15-18 lbs depending on tires, so instead of of being a parrot and becoming the 5th douche to give the same answer I smart my a$$ off. Im just here for the entertainment and maybe try and get you to chuckle a bit while youre reading.


So here is a straight answer. Experience comes from equally heavy rigs, Scouts, FJ40s, and FJ80s, as I haven't really rockcrawled the H3, but sand and snow yes. I run 15 -18 lbs on rocks and snow. Loose rocks closer to 18lbs, flat slick rock (Moab Stylie) closer to 15lbs. Slow driving in sand a bit lower, but not usually lower then about 13lbs, and if I'm driving fast in the sand I want it no lower than 15lbs. We have run 10lbs in my brothers prerunner in Glamis, be he has beadlocks so it doesn't matter. Our rigs are pretty heavy so anything lower than 15lbs is pushing your luck I think. Hows that for a recap on the previously already perfect answers given. Thanks for givin me crap guys. Keeps me in line.

[RuggedH2]

Hey desert,

I hope everything is fine with your rig. We are planning to run some cool trails. I hope you can still make it. If you are just worried about loaning me your spare tire relax, I'll borrow Neo's.

[RuggedH2]

Stagger,

Have you ever popped a bead? You know that 15-18 is perfect, how? Lower pressure is better for rocks. There are hazards. That's why beadlocks have become so popular off road.

Unless you've gone low enough to pop a bead, I don't think you know the "perfect" answer for the H3. I see the common logic, but it's not so clear for every 4x4, many go as low as they can. Buggies commonly run 3 psi with beadlocks.

Thanks for "dumbing" it down for me.