MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum

I think this is a survey that needs to happen, I look forward to the result.

'outback roads' can mean a wide variety of things but as a rule if I'm on corrugated or rough roads at speed Ill drop mine to around 20-25psi depending on the weight.

I lowered mine to 30, maybe could have gone to 25..

but the local RACV guy said we southerners etc have it soo wrong and that we should be raising them to 50... arrhhhh  no way.

imagine how uncomfy it would be and the punctures.......


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I should add that I use BFG KM2's so they are a tough tire construction.

Quote from: bodgie on October 06, 2013, 07:40:04 PM
I think this is a survey that needs to happen, I look forward to the result.

Too many variables.. near on a waste of time.

too many different cars and models, too many different tyres sizes, rims weights, trailers and hitches, towball weights, the list goes on....

Quote from: Lost on October 06, 2013, 07:50:13 PM
Too many variables.. near on a waste of time.

too many different cars and models, too many different tyres sizes, rims weights, trailers and hitches, towball weights, the list goes on....

Bingo!

Quote from: Lost on October 06, 2013, 07:50:13 PM
Too many variables.. near on a waste of time.

too many different cars and models, too many different tyres sizes, rims weights, trailers and hitches, towball weights, the list goes on....

I'll agree to disagree! In my experience and observation dropping pressure on every combo makes a difference for the better.

Quote from: Lost on October 06, 2013, 07:50:13 PM
Too many variables.. near on a waste of time.

too many different cars and models, too many different tyres sizes, rims weights, trailers and hitches, towball weights, the list goes on....

You obviously didn't read the options ::)

Quote from: doc evil on October 06, 2013, 08:06:38 PM
Bingo!

Bugger the bingo.

Much more comfortable ride on corrugations and stony roads with lower pressures.  Since becoming a convert, some of the converting input coming from the late Adam Plate, I've not had any punctures, have in my opinion looked after the running gear of my vehicle by not making the springs & shocks work so hard, and might just have helped out a road or two.

I remember when we travelled through Oodnadatta in 05 after 2 punctures running on 25 PSI, the late Adam Plate (roadhouse owner) did a fix and change for us and recommended we travel with tyre pressures at 18 PSI. He said he has always run at that and never got a puncture.

I'm not saying that I dont lower my pressures, im saying that there are too many variables in vehicles and tyre types to lower them to x pressure or by x%

An old bushie told me to lower my pressures enough to carry the load but not enough to bulge the sidewall and expose them to mulga stakes or sharp rocks.
In 10 or so years since and countless km touring outback WA, I'm yet to stake a sidewall. I have had 1 staking where a rock punched thru under a tread block.

Quote from: D4D on October 06, 2013, 08:17:46 PM
You obviously didn't read the options ::)

Sorry, I didn't see one option that said GU with Kaymar twin swings, dual batteries, with 285's and a lifestyle trailer with 1 kid and 1 fat **** driving and all their goodies

Quote from: Lost on October 06, 2013, 10:11:21 PM
Sorry, I didn't see one option that said GU with Kaymar twin swings, dual batteries, with 285's and a lifestyle trailer with 1 kid and 1 fat **** driving and all their goodies

Its the one that says drop tyre pressures on rig and trailer

Quote from: doc evil on October 06, 2013, 10:04:38 PM
I'm not saying that I dont lower my pressures, im saying that there are too many variables in vehicles and tyre types to lower them to x pressure or by x%

An old bushie told me to lower my pressures enough to carry the load but not enough to bulge the sidewall and expose them to mulga stakes or sharp rocks.
In 10 or so years since and countless km touring outback WA, I'm yet to stake a sidewall. I have had 1 staking where a rock punched thru under a tread block.

Have you ever measured the before and after pressures? I'd be keen to see what the difference is as this is pretty much equates to lowering 15% for my wheel/tyre combo.

I usually check the tyre temp after a bit if driving to make sure they aren't to low for the speed we are travelling at. 

Quote from: Woodsie on October 06, 2013, 10:34:13 PM
Its the one that says drop tyre pressures on rig and trailer

Hahaha.....!!!!!

Quote from: bodgie on October 06, 2013, 10:38:19 PM
Have you ever measured the before and after pressures? I'd be keen to see what the difference is as this is pretty much equates to lowering 15% for my wheel/tyre combo.

I usually check the tyre temp after a bit if driving to make sure they aren't to low for the speed we are travelling at.

I drop around 20%-25% for desert travel however, I do run higher highway pressures due to vehicle weight.

Are we talking about roads or tracks? Totally different things. Title suggests gravel roads, but the options talk about tracks(sand, rocks what?)
Pretty pointless poll.

Quote from: whitey1 on October 07, 2013, 08:59:39 AM
Are we talking about roads or tracks? Totally different things. Title suggests gravel roads, but the options talk about tracks(sand, rocks what?)
Pretty pointless poll.

When I say track I'm talking about most dirt/gravel roads in the outback. Perhaps you should select the last option.

Quote from: bodgie on October 07, 2013, 09:06:16 AM
When I say track I'm talking about most dirt/gravel roads in the outback. Perhaps you should select the last option.

Why would I select the last option? What gave you the impression that I don't let my tyres down?

Hang on a second, I'm just getting some supplies(http://www.smileyvault.com/albums/forum/smileyvault-popcorn.gif) (http://www.smileyvault.com/)

Quote from: xcvator on October 14, 2013, 10:12:16 AM
Hang on a second, I'm just getting some supplies(http://www.smileyvault.com/albums/forum/smileyvault-popcorn.gif) (http://www.smileyvault.com/)

move over :D

I don't so much let my tyres down when I hit the dirt, it would be more accurate to say I pump them up when I get to the bitumen  ;D

Cheers Andrew

Recently did 2500k on outback dirt roads/and tracks, I normally run 40/41psi (bitumen) in Bridgestone LT 964 and always did  lower to  around 26psi on dirt roads but on last trip (tug loaded weight was 3T& towing a 1.3T camper) only lowered to 36psi and no punctures, while others had numerous when running between 25-30psi. So who has any idea !    ???

Quote from: just startin on October 14, 2013, 05:56:20 PM
Recently did 2500k on outback dirt roads/and tracks, I normally run 40/41psi (bitumen) in Bridgestone LT 964 and always did  lower to  around 26psi on dirt roads but on last trip (tug loaded weight was 3T& towing a 1.3T camper) only lowered to 36psi and no punctures, while others had numerous when running between 25-30psi. So who has any idea !    ???

I don't think a 4 psi drop is worth worrying about. If you check your pressures after driving for a while, you will easily see an 8 psi increase. People say use the 4 psi rule but in practice I think this is very hard to pick on a long trip. I have tried. I run about 18-22 psi on dirt. No punctures after 2500 km last trip. Next trip I might bump to about 26 as I got a flat well after I got back (couple of months) which was a leak around the seam which was probably related to the low pressure for so long.

One tip I picked up from an experienced traveller, when you stop, instantly walk up and feel the trailer tyres.. if they are very hot, your pressures are very wrong..

Quote from: just startin on October 14, 2013, 05:56:20 PM
Recently did 2500k on outback dirt roads/and tracks, I normally run 40/41psi (bitumen) in Bridgestone LT 964 and always did  lower to  around 26psi on dirt roads but on last trip (tug loaded weight was 3T& towing a 1.3T camper) only lowered to 36psi and no punctures, while others had numerous when running between 25-30psi. So who has any idea !    ???

I did the GRR, Mitchell Falls, Bungles and Duncan/Buntine/Buchanan Halls Ck to Dunmarra in 2010 with 21 psi front, 23 or 25 psi rear, and had no punctures but a far more comfortable ride than pressures in the 30s or 40s.

I drive a hell of a lot on dirt roads, I was raised in the bush and learnt to drive on dirt roads. Regardless of dirt roads or black top I have a starting pressure of 28 pound front and rear. When loaded I may increase the front to 30 pounds and rear to 32 pounds.

I cant remember when I last got a flat tyre, and my tyre wear is even across the surface of both front and rear tyres and when checking the tyres for heat they are never hot to touch.

Too many people play with their tyre pressures when on dirt roads trying to get a smooth ride across corrugations, instead of pulling the thing into high four wheel drive and getting up to a speed that allows the vehicle to sit on top of the corrugations.

By driving dirt roads in high four you get safer drive-ability, better grip on the road surface, even tyre wear and can maintain a speed that allows for a smoother ride.

Don't mock it, next time your are on a dirt road and half way through a corner, reach down and pull the thing into high four, you will be amazed at the difference. As for diff wear , it does not hurt anything as there is always enough slippage to allow for the diff's. Why do you think manufactures are producing constant four wheel drives ?

cheers and safe travels, duggie

Quote from: duggie on October 15, 2013, 12:29:47 PM
I drive a hell of a lot on dirt roads, I was raised in the bush and learnt to drive on dirt roads. Regardless of dirt roads or black top I have a starting pressure of 28 pound front and rear. When loaded I may increase the front to 30 pounds and rear to 32 pounds.

I cant remember when I last got a flat tyre, and my tyre wear is even across the surface of both front and rear tyres and when checking the tyres for heat they are never hot to touch.

Too many people play with their tyre pressures when on dirt roads trying to get a smooth ride across corrugations, instead of pulling the thing into high four wheel drive and getting up to a speed that allows the vehicle to sit on top of the corrugations.

By driving dirt roads in high four you get safer drive-ability, better grip on the road surface, even tyre wear and can maintain a speed that allows for a smoother ride.

Don't mock it, next time your are on a dirt road and half way through a corner, reach down and pull the thing into high four, you will be amazed at the difference. As for diff wear , it does not hurt anything as there is always enough slippage to allow for the diff's. Why do you think manufactures are producing constant four wheel drives ?

cheers and safe travels, duggie

gotta agree....as soon as i hot dirt or san i engage centre diff lock

Me three .... centre diff lock for corrugations or anytime I am off road :D I lower the front's to where I am comfortable 20-30 PSI and then the backs to the same amount of sidewall bagging then the trailer. No issues and have done a bit of outback / off road driving like this.

yogi

me four for high 4wd, and lowering tyre pressures, but haven't worked out a perfect pressure for corrugations at 80kph or thereabouts yet. I guess time and experience with our vehicle in those situations will work that out.  And yes I have always driven gravel roads, grown up on a farm, but this is my first 4wd.

Quote from: Lost on October 15, 2013, 10:07:45 AM
One tip I picked up from an experienced traveller, when you stop, instantly walk up and feel the trailer tyres.. if they are very hot, your pressures are very wrong..

And while you are at it check the hubs for excess heat - first sign of bearing failure.