Influencer I
Mojave Road trip - March 2017
- Thread starter VCeXpedition
- Start date
Off-Road Ranger I
Is everyone prepared to “air down”?
This trail could be considered a bit of a tough trail for a soft-roader, most of it can be done in 2WD with higher clearance. Why would you need to air down?
The answer to that question is smoothness. Airing down does more than give you better traction with a bigger footprint. It also gives you a smoother ride because the tires at a lower pressure can absorb some of the impact of rough terrain and corrugated road surfaces. And these roads are corrugated like no other!
For me, on a trail where I need more traction, I will typically air down to about 18 psi on my Landcruiser. Lower if it’s extremely difficult.
For this trail, I want a smoother ride, but I plan on traveling at a little bit higher speed than I would on a difficult and rocky or steep trail. I plan to run my tires at about 20 in the front and 24 in the rear. Front/rear difference is because when I’m loaded up, I’m very heavy in the rear and I’ll travel a little faster, so I don’t want to lower it too much.
Part 2 of this question is, are you prepared to air back up? Do you have a way to re-inflate your tires at the end of the trail, or before you hit tarmac for any distance at a higher speed?
There are several ways to do this, on-board air compressor, cheap or expensive one, CO2 tank, etc., I won’t go into that discussion here, but if you plan to or want to air down, be sure to be prepared to air back up when you’re done!
There is a service station near the end of this trail, but may be unreliable for airing your tires back up, it’s better to be self-sufficient on this one.
Next, you might ask, ‘how long and how fast can I go if I’m aired down?’
That is a very subjective question, because no tire manufacturer that I have ever seen will make an official recommendation like that for their tire. Too much liability here. At lower pressure, the tire will heat up due to friction and heat is the enemy of a tire, and could lead to failure.
And do not construe this as a recommendation, but only what I have done and what I have seen others do. If I’m driving on hard surface, and it’s more than a couple of miles, and speed will be higher than 30 or 40 mph, I will go to the trouble of airing back up. And then air back down if I go back to the similar conditions. And remember, the handling of your vehicle will be very different on tires at a lower pressure.
So, take this for whatever it’s worth, but most of all, be prepared!
Dan.
This trail could be considered a bit of a tough trail for a soft-roader, most of it can be done in 2WD with higher clearance. Why would you need to air down?
The answer to that question is smoothness. Airing down does more than give you better traction with a bigger footprint. It also gives you a smoother ride because the tires at a lower pressure can absorb some of the impact of rough terrain and corrugated road surfaces. And these roads are corrugated like no other!
For me, on a trail where I need more traction, I will typically air down to about 18 psi on my Landcruiser. Lower if it’s extremely difficult.
For this trail, I want a smoother ride, but I plan on traveling at a little bit higher speed than I would on a difficult and rocky or steep trail. I plan to run my tires at about 20 in the front and 24 in the rear. Front/rear difference is because when I’m loaded up, I’m very heavy in the rear and I’ll travel a little faster, so I don’t want to lower it too much.
Part 2 of this question is, are you prepared to air back up? Do you have a way to re-inflate your tires at the end of the trail, or before you hit tarmac for any distance at a higher speed?
There are several ways to do this, on-board air compressor, cheap or expensive one, CO2 tank, etc., I won’t go into that discussion here, but if you plan to or want to air down, be sure to be prepared to air back up when you’re done!
There is a service station near the end of this trail, but may be unreliable for airing your tires back up, it’s better to be self-sufficient on this one.
Next, you might ask, ‘how long and how fast can I go if I’m aired down?’
That is a very subjective question, because no tire manufacturer that I have ever seen will make an official recommendation like that for their tire. Too much liability here. At lower pressure, the tire will heat up due to friction and heat is the enemy of a tire, and could lead to failure.
And do not construe this as a recommendation, but only what I have done and what I have seen others do. If I’m driving on hard surface, and it’s more than a couple of miles, and speed will be higher than 30 or 40 mph, I will go to the trouble of airing back up. And then air back down if I go back to the similar conditions. And remember, the handling of your vehicle will be very different on tires at a lower pressure.
So, take this for whatever it’s worth, but most of all, be prepared!
Dan.
Influencer II
I installed a new set of Grabber X3s on Friday, and spoke to General Tire today. For my Ram 2500 they say I should be running at 60PSI and would not recommend any other pressure for any type of off-roading. That being said, I think I'll be running at 35 psi to start. I'll have my onboard compressor hooked up before the trip.
Influencer II
(Not so) Dry Soda lake option.... I spent some time on the phone with Radio at Carli Suspensions today. Turns out he plays out on the Mojave road quite often. He was saying that if we are bypassing the Soda Lake that we might want to go south and play at the dunes instead of going north. Just a bit of following the railroad, and an easy out after. I've never been there so I can't verify.... what do you think?
Off-Road Ranger I
If we went south, we'd have to agree to miss Afton canyon, and to me that's a fun and very pretty part of the trip. Folks can do what they want to do, because I'm pretty sure soda lake will be impassable, but I think this trip will finish up after Afton canyon.
Let me confirm on a map what that option means to be sure.
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Hey there fj80toyman, I finally joined the forum and look forward to the trip, I think we talked about it back in November. Please put me down as "highly interested but tentative for now."
Influencer I
I usually run the burb at 30 psi when aired down. 50/80PSI is OE I don't run that either...Lol more like 45/55psi.
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Off-Road Ranger I
Hi All, we’re moving right along on the go-list!
The folks on the confirmed list have had 4 days to commit, and it’s time to open it up to everyone so we can decide who will go, by who is willing to commit the $10 to secure one of the spots available.
This is going to be an awesome run in an awesome place.
So here’s the rest of the list for all those that have either “tentatively committed” or just wanted to be on the waitlist.
@Max Hultman
@HammerheadFistpunch
@NetDep
@Jaydub514
@Joey Treadwell
@Bluefox
@Jkroberts
@Clint Hughes
@Saints&Sailors
@JayRock
@hidesertwheelin
@boss324
@Cayenne
@JesseG.
@AdvLR3
@LBCR1
@aaa247
@CC_FJ
@Ryan Matthes
@BoostedFJ
@FireRetiredGFD
@petwhookie
@Mademan925
@Lauroness
@Cavo
@Rugby dad
@SuperSeven
@NorCalCrisp
I will watch the PayPal account and do a countdown if it gets close to 40 and let everyone know, and then I’ll be able to cut it off at the limit.
There’s no real way to open it up one at a time based on those that signed up first, so I hope this works for everyone.
Thanks All!!!
Dan
The folks on the confirmed list have had 4 days to commit, and it’s time to open it up to everyone so we can decide who will go, by who is willing to commit the $10 to secure one of the spots available.
This is going to be an awesome run in an awesome place.
So here’s the rest of the list for all those that have either “tentatively committed” or just wanted to be on the waitlist.
@Max Hultman
@HammerheadFistpunch
@NetDep
@Jaydub514
@Joey Treadwell
@Bluefox
@Jkroberts
@Clint Hughes
@Saints&Sailors
@JayRock
@hidesertwheelin
@boss324
@Cayenne
@JesseG.
@AdvLR3
@LBCR1
@aaa247
@CC_FJ
@Ryan Matthes
@BoostedFJ
@FireRetiredGFD
@petwhookie
@Mademan925
@Lauroness
@Cavo
@Rugby dad
@SuperSeven
@NorCalCrisp
I will watch the PayPal account and do a countdown if it gets close to 40 and let everyone know, and then I’ll be able to cut it off at the limit.
There’s no real way to open it up one at a time based on those that signed up first, so I hope this works for everyone.
Thanks All!!!
Dan
Pathfinder I
Some time ago I let you know that I would not be able to attend...sorry for the confusion but this makes room for someone else.....looks like a great trip!!!
Pathfinder III
- 5,200
- First Name
- Kent
- Last Name
- Reynolds
- Member #
-
1632
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- K6KNT
- Service Branch
- Retired Firefighter
Off-Road Ranger II
Off-Road Ranger I
Thanks! I seem to remember that, it's tough to keep up with all the names.
Explorer I
Money sent through PayPal and email sent as well - let me know if you need anything else. Totally stoked and looking forward to the trip.
Sent from my iPad using OB Talk
Sent from my iPad using OB Talk
Not sure what happened to my name, but money and info has been sent just in case.
Sent from my iPhone using OB Talk
Sent from my iPhone using OB Talk
Just locations. We're only two and I wouldn't want to bogart a good spot for you all.
-M
Influencer II
Pathfinder II
We've been using the Cleanwaste for over 2 years. So easy and clean, and compact (like a briefcase). We always have extra bags and extra poo powder. The two of us can use 1 bag per day after setting up camp (usually!) - just sprinkle a tablespoon of the powder after doing the stinky stuff - it works, no stink. We have a large waterproof "dry bag" for the sealed up poop bags and trash. A trick to stretching the use of 1 WAG bag - guys, find a tree first for #1 so you don't fill the bag with yellow jello!
Amazon $70. We also have a popup shower/toilet tent. We rarely use it (but always carry) because we are by ourselves in the sticks most of the time, but sometimes . . . . Definitely this trip ;-)
