Tires and Tire Pressure

Tires

A good radial AT (all terrain) or radial MS (mud and snow) tire is sufficient for most off-highway driving circumstances. Radial tires are ideal since they provide a larger footprint than other tires of the same size. This larger area of contact will provide more traction on rough terrain.

Recommend a tire with a “C” or “D” load range. These load ranges indicate a stronger sidewall construction, which are recommended for driving in rough terrain.

Tire Pressure

For on-highway conditions, always follow the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressures. When you venture off-road, however, you may want to lower the tire pressure. Letting some air out of the tires makes them softer and expands the tire footprint for greater flotation, resulting in more traction when driving over rocks or in sand. Lower tire pressure will also cushion the vehicle’s ride.

Different conditions may require different tire pressures depending on your vehicle. Ideal air down situations for rough, off road travel:

Trail Condition	Ideal Pressure	Extreme Air Down for Emergency Conditions Only
Rocky terrain (Rubicon)	22 to 26 lbs.	22 to 26 lbs.
Loose desert sand	22 to 26 lbs.	8 to 10 lbs.
Deep mud	22 to 24 lbs.	10 to 12 lbs.
Deep snow	26 to 28 lbs.	8 to 10 lbs.

Remember that too little tire pressure, especially with stock tires, can result in the tire being pushed off of the rim, causing it to go flat.

As soon as you get back on surfaced roads, return your tires to normal air pressures. Don’t guess; carry a good quality pressure gauge with you. Under inflated tires can influence vehicle handling, traction and tread wear. Correct air inflation is vital to a tire’s long service life.

Source: Mark A. Smith’s Guide to Safe, Common Sense, Off-Road Driving by Mark A. Smith

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