I've been told when I go out on sand I will need to defalte my air pressure to about 20psi. I have 31" x 10.5" on 6" rims. Will deflating the tires cause a problem? Will I end up breaking the bead?

Thanx,

Splitz

 

at 20 psi maybe... i had my 31x10.5 on my explorer rims blow all my beads when i wnet wheeling..... my rims are also 15x7 though... and word of advice, dont drive to harsh, and you should be ok.. i wnet and did donuts and drifts in the sand wash i was in, so it extreme loaded the tires and they couldnt handle it with 20 psi

 

i've gone as low as 12psi with stock tires but i dont do donuts and turn too sharp. I've seen 2wd's at 8-9psi do fine on sand. Just dont do anything outrageous and you should be fine.

 

I was just reading about the requirements for driving on the Cape Cod National Seashore and they state they will not let anyone drive on the sand UNLESS they lower their tire pressure to 15 psi. I would advise caution with your rims being so narrow, as well.

 

Well I've got 8" wide rims for the truck but the center caps aren't fitting!!!!

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/rim-help-37534/

 

a search for "sand" turned up this post-

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...highlight=sand

For the best traction in sand, ya gotta go low- down to about 10 PSI should be fine. I run 35 x 12.5-15's on 8" rims (a similar ratio to your setup) at 6 to 8 PSIand as long as you don't hot dog it, they stay seated fine.

 

6" rims will keep the beads on better than 8" rims will.

 

I drove all over the eastern coast of NC this past weekend w/ a full 35 psi in my tires. MOMENTUM is your friend.... that and 4wd... and lockers.. and 12.5" wide tires...

MUD tires SUCK in sand... they dig too much... that said, my MT/R's did ok... I woulda done better w/ some A/T's.

 

i would air down, not run 35 psi... momentum is your friend, however you cant get floatation with tires with 35 psi.... you will get digging.... a/ts normally will prove better in sand as they will offer more floataion due to not having as much bite to the tires

 

I ran 20 psi at the outer banks. My AT's and 8 inch wide rims did okay. There were a couple of times I could have gone lower, didn't get stuck but did worry for a bit. I'm going back in October and will try 15 psi to see how much differece it makes.

 

I've read that before on this forum somewhere, but 6"s and 10.5" tires? Is the difference too much? I guess we'll see when I get out there.

What kind of rims do you have? I got Crager Nomad's but the center hole is too small for the center caps!

 

I go for soft tires in sand myself. I always ran about 16 psi in my 01 Rodeo. I was also at the NC coast in sand on stock 17" rims and Dunlop street tires this past weekend. I agree that a center differential locker is your friend. I know I got some 'good momentum' (35 mph) this past weekend and it sure gets squirrelly in the sand at speed in a stock setup anyway! I would also say that stopping and hard braking are your enemy in the sand. Some momentum is good. But too much is easily suddenly out of control.

 

Splitz, The rims are from Wheelers Offroad. They are 16x8 with 3-3/4 inch backspace, enough to push the tire out even with the flares. They are powdercoat black, steel and heavy! I bought them used from a buddy who sold his Tundra and he had a hell of a time getting round ones! No kidding! He returned several wheels before he (I) got usable ones. Three are perfect and one you have to be careful with the tire mounting. And they have to be balanced with a lug adapter NOT the center cones. But I like them, I think they look sweet, although I don't currently run centers, I could if I'd spring the cash.

 

i have flogged the crap out of my 12.50 on 8 inch rims at about 8 psi and have yet to break a bead and i surf my truck in sand. the general rules are stop facing downhill not up, momentum, and if you get stuck air down more. and never stop in the bottom of a bowl.

 

I'm with Wifesays, we used to do coast runs every other week for years, always went to 8-10 psi with 33s on 8s. Never popped a bead and we too "flogged the crap" outta our rigs. Those general rules are spot on, and add; never drive through wet sand in a "bottom," if there's standing water it's fine, but wet sand is often a trap...

 

Thanx for all the input guys. I'll leave the 15 x 6's on and see what happens!


Jim,

Those do look nice!

I'm guessing "flogged" is the same as airing down?

 

I've driven with both stock rim 265/75-16 BFG at's and beadlocked 315/75-16 MTR's, the bigger and wider tires are definately a huge advantage. With the beadlocks I can easily air down under 10 psi and never worry about breaking a bead. My At's work OK but they dig in more than due to the size more than the tread pattern.

 

I've run my 33x9.50 and 10.50 tires (15x6 rims) as low as about 6 psi in snow, have not had them in deep sand. I have some tips and links on how to determine a good sand tire pressure on my page, below:

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/PismoBea...#DrivingInSand