Recommend tire pressure for logging roads?

[allagash24]

Our 2 door with Mickey Thompson Baja AT that are E rated, do excellent at 29 psi.
We live on the equivalent of logging roads. We have to drive rock.dirt every day to get to a paved road.

Look up "tire chalk test". That will let you know at what PSI you get full thread contact with your tires.. From there you can drop down 5 psi or so and get a little better comfort if the roads are really rough. But that chalk test will get you to full thread contact.

Thanks I have seen the chalk test but haven’t experimented with it. Was mostly trying to figure out what would be best on the logging road without rattling my teeth out!

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[allagash24]

How fast are you going?

I just run stock pressure, and I might do anywhere from 10-15 miles of gravel on a typical round trip commute that also involves freeways.

I believe the speed limit is 45. Depending on conditions I don’t think I’d be going that fast but maybe I’ll try out Baja mode!

 

[bassist]

I believe the speed limit is 45. Depending on conditions I don’t think I’d be going that fast but maybe I’ll try out Baja mode!

If the limit is 45, just keep the tires at their normal pressure.

What I’ve found is the only harshness I get is from either big pothole (several inches deep) or sustained washboard - but the washboard doesn’t really change too much with tire pressure, it seems like a study in finding the right speed.

 

[RoseLane4]

For 70 miles of dirt road I would not hesitate to drop to 15-20 psi. If it's a washboard road you'll be be glad you did! Just make sure you have a means to air up - compressor or CO2 tank - before you make the return trip on pavement.

Yes, Scoop has it!
Unless you’re running a lot of weight (4-door, payload..)
Enjoy!

 

[Num Num]

It has been almost 2 years but I would swear they run 18 at the off-rodeo in New Hampshire. Sorry I have slept since then, but would go back in a minute!! Very pretty country up there!

 

[allagash24]

It has been almost 2 years but I would swear they run 18 at the off-rodeo in New Hampshire. Sorry I have slept since then, but would go back in a minute!! Very pretty country up there!

Cool! I am going to try and go this fall. It is only a couple hours from me and sounds like an awesome time

 

[Roger123]

I’ve got a small electric one but not sure if the outlet on the Bronco will handle it. Thank you for the tips

A lot of people will come along and tell you that you need a mega compressor with a 4 tire inflation system or special adapters to thread onto your valve stems, or CO2 tanks, etc, etc.

The only thing I will say is that I would not use a 12v outlet compressor, get one that connects to your battery directly with alligator clamps.

There are several out there, I've had really good luck with Viair, they have several models to choose from, this is a good one for your occasional use case.

https://viaircorp.com/products/evc88p-digital-portable-compressor

Once you decide you like going off-road you can upgrade later to whatever you feel meets your needs.

For airing down just pull the valve core and watch the Bronco dash for the pressure you're looking for and pop the core back in.

 

[Num Num]

A big Sooner shout out to Jason! He was our guide. We had a blast and got to see quite a bit of New Hampshire and a little Maine. But in a rental car, the first and only time I have ever gotten brakes hot enough to smell. Mt Washington was awesome! We couldn’t get the rental into a lower gear. We even read the manual and dr google. Embarrassing…..we plan to go back up that way maybe even in the Bronco!

 

[Scoop]

A lot of people will come along and tell you that you need a mega compressor with a 4 tire inflation system or special adapters to thread onto your valve stems, or CO2 tanks, etc, etc.

The only thing I will say is that I would not use a 12v outlet compressor, get one that connects to your battery directly with alligator clamps.

There are several out there, I've had really good luck with Viair, they have several models to choose from, this is a good one for your occasional use case.

https://viaircorp.com/products/evc88p-digital-portable-compressor

Once you decide you like going off-road you can upgrade later to whatever you feel meets your needs.

For airing down just pull the valve core and watch the Bronco dash for the pressure you're looking for and pop the core back in.

Agree on the the compressor recommendations. I use a Viair compressor with clips to the battery.

Uhhh, NO on pulling the valve core! They are small and you'll be airing down over dirt or gravel and they are easily lost. If you do this you need to carry multiple spares. Get a proper air-down tool and good gauge. Don't relay on the dash readout.

 

[BlueWaffle]

Another mainer here... All the logging roads are generally nice enough to not need to air down in all reality.. They're literal highways. Spent a lot of time hooning around all those roads my entire life. The only thing to worry about is after grading.. careful to not slice up them sidewalls with all the shale.

 

[Brian_B]

The only thing I will say is that I would not use a 12v outlet compressor, get one that connects to your battery directly with alligator clamps.

The Milwaukee battery powered ones are pretty nice and can usually find a deal on them or the batteries. Even the smaller m12 will get the job done without melting down.

That said - totally agree on the small 12v ones and the vast majority of the battery powered ones. I started with a Ryobi that I had for years - it took over an hour to air up and I went and got a Milwaukee. Now it takes less than 10 minutes

 

[DALOLA]

I'm new to the Bronco world, but I love my 18V Makita, surprisingly powerful. I use it for everything, including my compact tractor, which has pretty big tires, and it works great.

 

[allagash24]

I never did respond back here but around 30 psi was great. Ride was very smooth and we had an awesome time exploring. Will be going back for an extended trip but my dad is nearing 70 and wasn’t up for roughing it.

 

[HolidayDog]

I don’t know if this was mentioned above but a rule of thumb I use and abide by is double your air pressure to get your max speed.

18psi = 36mph
20psi = 40mph
25psi = 50mph

Low pressure (<18) at 50mph will build a lot of heat /friction to your sidewalls. Think of bending a piece of metal back and fourth really fast for hours.

But lower pressure definitely smooths out the ride, provides
traction and reduces the chances of punctures.

Just take the time to air up when you get onto a highway or pick up speed.

sounds like you had a good trip.

 

[Pops]

In short, like others say, try a few pressures until you like it.

OEM 35 inch GoodYear

My most recent logging road adventure (yesterday), which I cut short after encountering a full logging truck rampaging from the opposite direction (the side hill I put my passenger tires 2 feet up wasn't too steep), was followed by long drive of gravel and packed forest roads with some short rutty up-hills.

These had me airing down just a little several times until I felt an improved ride. Washboard, rutty rocks, and the speed I was going (slow and relaxing).

'dropped from 39 psi (best street handling and MPG for me right now) to an incredible ... 35 psi .

My lazy ass didn't want to have to stop and get the MORRFlate out before the drive home, so I kept it a little higher than I had planned.

Costco has free Nitrogen gas, which I did this morning.

Edit: ah, late to the "decision-has-been-made" party again.

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