Do you lower your tire pressure every time you drive in the sand?

[Cheezus]

I know it is a rule of thumb and, in some places, the law. Are enough features equipped in the Braptor that I am least likely to get stuck?

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[Happycampinman]

I don’t think it has much do with features, it’s all about the footprint of the tire. Give it a try and if you get stuck then you know to air down. The only time we really spent time on the sand at Silver Lake I aired down to 15psi and had a blast. Airing down let’s you take advantage of your features.

 

[Wyo]

I don't have a Braptor but we always used 20 psi in our F150 Raptors and I use the same in my Sasquatch Bronco. Sand mode in our Broncos are pretty darn fun and easy!

 

[jzweedyk]

Yes.

 

[Cheezus]

Yes.

As an introvert, I love and hate your answer at the same time. Thanks for sharing your experiences. lol

 

[jzweedyk]

I answered you question. OK, I admit it may have lacked some detail. I do always air down, in sand or on trails. The small amount of time it takes to air down and air up is offset by better traction, more comfortable ride, and a less chance of getting stuck or not climbing an obstacle. I don't go off road to get stuck, and if I am on a trail I want to finish it and enjoy it as I go. I have seen people get stuck in sand or not be able to do an obstacle and then hold up everyone as they air down or keep trying to do it without airing down. That is not me.

 

[ejsbronco]

Have been driving on sand regularly for the last 15 years in 4 different vehicles, the latest of which is a Bronco. For the sole purpose of learning how to best handle my vehicle, with each one I would try no reduction in psi and various different reductions. Airing down is always a better situation (imo) but nor did I get stuck in most of the other occasions. When I did, it was at higher psi and airing down (with rare shoveling of some sand when high-centered) allowed me to get back on course. I never had to be towed. That said, I never experimented in a location where I’d adversely impact others—my problem alone.
Absolutely agree with the statement, though, that it’s not difficult to air down and up, so why not.

 

[Huntsetter1]

What’s approximate top speed when aired down to 20?

 

[bradcd]

 

[woodysfj40]

What’s approximate top speed when aired down to 20?

Top speed doesn't change. The risk of losing a bead increases. Hard cornering multiplies that potential problem since lower pressure causes the sidewall to shift and increases the likelihood of the bead coming off ie: low pressure and a hard LEFT turn puts the most pressure on the RIGHT front tire.

 

[Huntsetter1]

Yeah that’s my concern

 

[mj63]

Historically, it is usually hard to pull a bead off at 25 or higher PSI - but that isn't always low enough for deep sand... so my personal rule of thumb is 20-25 psi you don't have to worry much as long as you are not doing doughnuts in wet sand or sliding sideways into rocks. 15-20 psi you have to try not to sideload the tires, and <15 psi I would want real beadlocks. These are all pretty conservative pressures, but I also like having vehicles sideways (it is literally my day job).

 

[slews]

It depends on the sand, to be honest. There are certainly beaches here in Washington with damp, hard-packed sand where it's definitely not necessary, especially if you're just driving a couple hundred feet out onto the beach to set up your beach chairs or whatever.

But if the sand was soft at all, or if I was planning to drive any substantial distances or at high speeds, I would always air down.

 

[JD11937]

I live on the east end of Long Island and drive on the beach regularly with my badlands non-squatch and do not air down at all, haven’t had an issue yet.

 

[swami37]

Never

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