That's why rarely put music in my videos, only if the sound is bad or as an introduction to the video. I prefer the sound of the engine, mud, tires, etc.
One more benefit of airing down not mentioned is it's actually easier on the components of your vehicle, just like it's a softer ride for the occupants it's softer on the components. Great video as always.
I take exception to always running lower tire pressures off pavement. I have been driving off pavement since the late 1960's. I also spent 30 years as a Forest Manager and Logging Engineer. I signed off on the checks to pay for road maintenance. For me it makes since to SLOW DOWN and smell the sagebrush. It is not the tire pressure that increases ware and tear on the roads but SPEED. I found that switching from 2 wd to 4 wd off pavement results in better driving, but keep the speeds down. It is not how many miles you travel each day but the quality of the trip that is important to me. In conclusion I live along the Oregon BDR. Please respect those of us that live next to your route. Slow down and reduce the DUST that prevents us from air drying our laundry and enjoying a nice meal on our patio due to the dust generated from others driving past our homes at a high rate of speed.
I totally agree especially if you have good tires. I am a search and rescue person and rarely air down. I do agree that the ride is smoother if you air down, however, I have noticed that releasing the sway bar makes it almost as smooth. I do run a stock Rubicon on my rescues. Many times I have to go into areas where lifted vehicles get stuck. Since I'm not lifted, I can't afford to lose that .5 inch from airing down. Finally, I don't ruin my tires any faster or more often than the folks that do air down. Just buy quality tires and feel comfortable not to air down if you don't want to.
I always air down but, to your point, I don't drive fast and I always slow down when passing residences, hikers or bikers on the trail. Sometimes they give me funny looks when I do but I just tell them why. And for horses, I stop and wait for instructions from the rider.
I love this guy. Brad always has a smile on his face, is just as happy on a simple trail or a trail like the Rubicon. And the little pointers are always welcome.
Does anyone else think Brad does it on purpose to stop and turn off the engine just to start the engine up again and hear the roar of the exhaust and engine! lol, another awesome video! Thanks Brad!
Hey Brad, I had a JK now a 392 😉 with the same load out I’ve noticed I’m running higher pressures due to the increased weight…. I assume you are doing the same?
we would have rissoles in australia, basically the exact same recipe as meatloaf but instead of baking a loaf we'd form them into palm sized balls flatten a bit on two sides but thicker than a burger patty and fry them up. usually eat them along with mash potato and vegetables but extra ones are made to go on sandwiches the next day usually cold and cut in half so yes we eat the same thing just differently.
Once again you nailed the video Brad. You have a way to explain topics that is very easy to follow. I appreciate the GPS coordinates at the beginning too. I hope you continue doing this in the future.
I think this little series you are doing (intentional or not) has been great. In sports we would always take the off season to go back to basics to really help dial in the advanced stuff later. These are great for new and experienced guys to go back and consider what and why they are doing what they are doing. Well done and thank you.
I love the Ramona area. Back in '74 & '75, I lived on Old Julian highway, halfway to Santa Ysabel. I am a water guy for work. When I worked for LA County over 12 years ago. My duties included sampling water in fire department reservoirs accessed on similar roads. I had a lot of access to locked gates. I drove a 2006 Ford F-350 4wd. Not enough time to air down those 275/65-18 tires. Never got stuck. Now with my personal vehicles, I operate quite differently. And everything you coverd in this story usually applies.
Great video, another benefit I would like to mention when aired down is, your vehicle isn't taking a beating either! Less wear and tear on the components
As a fellow veteran, thanks for your service. As a fellow off roader, thanks for your content. You present information in an easily understandable manner. You are very likable. I especially like when you include your wife and son. But the information you include about your vehicles is invaluable. I’ve never seen a better explanation for airing down. Keep up the great videos and I will keep watching. Your enthusiasm for off-roading is infectious.
Another thing to consider with how temperature affects tire pressure - if you camp out somewhere it was warm during the day, but has a strong temp drop at night like the desert in winter, you can wake up to some scary low tires so check that before you just drive off in the morning. Airing down seems scary at first but just do it, it becomes intuitive after a bit. As long as you have all terrains or better and err on the side of higher pressure when in doubt it’s hard to mess it up.
Fun to watch, with great pointers and general info about pros/cons of airing up/down. Only thing I'd add -- which will seem intuitive to longtime wheelers -- is that big tires means extra time and stooping over at the end of the day, and that can get old really quickly, especially when you're "a senior," and/or when you've got to get home quickly in the event of an injury or other unanticipated mishap. Dropping pressures on 37" (and over) tires to, say, 15 psi means double-digit minutes to air back up to 32/34 psi -- at least with my single-line and twin-ARB setup. On my 2019 JLU dropping to 25 psi (with 37" KM3s) is enough to yield a MUCH smoother ride over mild trails (like the one depicted), but not have you hunched over, indefinitely, at days end filling those cavernous tires. The weight of your rig (and suspension mods) will dictate the "sweet spot" for what defines comfort vs. what means unwanted delays at the end of the day.
With the rise of diesel trucks, trail conditions have certainly gone down compared to 20 years ago. And a lot of that is because they run 60-80psi in their tires, and spin on even mild hills. Sure, they make it, but it induces really bad wash board. And then on flat sections, the high pressure causes their tires to bounce which then causes wash board as well. Also, the chalk test doesn't work on newer tires, like the ones you are running. They are designed to have a crown to keep them more quiet (Per milestar).
Being relatively new to Jeeping, the 'airing down on an easy trail part' is something that I have been always wondering about. I guess I will air down more often with this info. Interesting about the TrailRecon shop as well. So far I have somehow missed that part and I used to watch out in the video for what equipment is used. Good to know I can find it here and thereby support the channel.
As a former San Diego County resident I used to run Orosco Ridge when it was legal shooting and there were no gates. You could run the ridge and make a loop through Guejito Truck Trail down into Pamo Valley on the north side. The forest service came in around the late 90's and removed Guejito returning it to a natural state. I had many friends in the valley back when Ray Foster owned Pamo but was forced to sell to the City of San Diego for a proposed dam project which never happened because of the projected environmental damage. The city allowed Ray to run cattle until his death in the early 2000's. Fun times back then.
Brad, yes I enjoyed hanging out with you. You go on so many trails that are so scenic and stock Jeep capable. While some offroad challenges are fun, it is also fun to just get out in the country and drive.
I almost always learn something new from watching your videos and reading all the insightful comments, but these last few videos have been packed with so much useful info especially for a beginner like myself. Thanks a ton Brad!
Brad, i know this is an older video. My son and i watch you so often, we both think you are THE best overland influencer out there. Well, that was BEFORE i knew you play in my backyard. Im a 3rd generation Ramona resident, have been in the off road scene my whole life and never knew that trail was there, and i grew up on Haverford rd. Obviously stoked to see this, hope to cross paths and shake hands one day! Thanks for being out there and for all you share and how you share it.
Thank you for the kind words! We're lucky to live in an area where there are so many opportunities to get off road. Be sure to stop me and say hi if you see me out on the trails.
You can tell by the comments that, like Brad, off road raiders are happy, decent intelligent people + No profanity. That’s a breath of fresh air in itself.
Great super-debated topic, much like “what gearset to re-gear to when going to a larger tire”….all kinds of input and opinions, all of which ultimately comes down to you and your specific setup. Thanks Brad for covering and your input, it’s highly valued and appreciated, stay safe!
My next question is when do I use my sway bar disconnect. I have a '17 JKU Rubicon Recon. And let's talk about when to use front, rear or both lockers. This is a great and very helpful video!
I’ve enjoyed following alongside you and your adventures. You do a GREAT job at telling your story. You said a key word that I think needs a follow-up, Ranger Station. Could you take a trip to the Ranger Station and possibly spend a day with them showing us all the great work that is done in the background so everyone can enjoy the work that is done? Thanks and one day Ill love to see you on the dirt road.
I need to find one of those tire pressure calculators. Been guessing with my gladiator & think I’m close to knowing my sweet spot but would love to see what the calculator says. ❤ As always great video & info Brad.
Sidewall temperature is a good way to know if the pressure is too low for the weight and speed. If the pressure is too low the sidewalls will get hot because the tires are flexing too much. At my 'general purpose wheeling' pressure of 15psi sidewall temp tells me I can go 40mph for about five miles or 35mph continuously on pavement. At 12psi 20mph is the maximum sustained speed. (4500 pound early Pathfinder on 33x10.5 Super Swamper TSL Radials.) If your sidewalls aren't smooth and are getting 'lumpy' you've run them too fast for the pressure/load.
I almost always air down. I have an older Jeep with leaf springs all the way around. I had them custom made, so they work well but they are still leaf springs and old technology. Even on my ZR2 I will drop it from street pressure to about 20ish or so, it takes the edge off on the washboards and such.
Not everyone has a 4x4 with coil spring comfort. I drive a 1993 YJ that's still got leaf springs. Airing down allows for a much nicer ride over chuck holes, ruts, and small rocks . Even a pressure drop of 10 pounds can make a big improvement.
Thanks Brad for another relaxing, informative and well shot off-road video. My air down methods and pressures are similar to yours and agree with your advice.
I run on an air down pickup truck on the highway by default. It absorbs small potholes flawlessly. And it reduce the rattle at rough concrete pavements. It consumes a little more diesel, but it's negligible for the comfort I get.
I learned to appreciate airing down on light stuff when I spent hours on mountain gravel roads with unreal washboards during a trip to New Mexico. I got weird looks when I was airing down on the side of the road. Just 10 lbs down made the washboards nearly smooth.
Good video. I learned the hard way. My non-offroad stock tires got a flat on an easy dirt 2wd road. My KO2s aired down to 22-25 psi have been great for the last 5 years. I also learned my 1st cheap compressor was not worth it. A better compressor airs me back up 3-4 times faster.
What I tend to do is to use different psi depending on the trail... easy would be 22 - 25, getting harder gets lower (JLUR with 37s), another thing is that for example, dunes or lose sand... no beadlocks is normal to go 10 psi
My thoughts are that you don't "need" to air down on easy trails, but it makes the ride smoother on driver and passengers. I'll air down on an easier trail not because I need every molecule of performance. Just that I'm 43 years old and my back is 65. As an aside, I'm still mad I didn't know about the Nomad wheels when I bought my last set of wheels. I honestly may sell the ones I have just to get the air down convenience.
Check out the apex valve stems from apex design usa. Makes airing down quicker and it seems like I can air up faster with them. You don't need new wheels (as long as the wheels you have aren't AEV and a few others like them) just replaces the normal rubber valve stems.
I used to not air down at all on plain dirt roads but as I got older and my back started to hurt with age, I now air down all the time. Washboard roads are practically smooth when you air down.
Hi Brad, First and foremost before my question/comment. You and Regena no doubt are very proud parents. That said please give your boys a big ole high five from a fan in Arizona. They have been producing great content over on the StoryRecon channel. Thank you guys! Ok here's my 2 cents. Airing down is the best way to make the ride of almost any rig more comfortable out on the trail and increase traction. What I ponder is this. Not only does an air compressor pump air it also condenses water depending on the humidity where you are located. I.E. Last year we were in Telluride Colorado with afternoon rain storms. My portable air pump was really putting out the water when airing up. When I would disconnect the chuck from the wheel and 37" Nitto's I'd get a big spray of water all around. So was everyone else. I'm thinking that couldn't be good having moisture build up inside the tire with no way of ever drying out. Your thoughts please?
As a fellow veteran,thank you for what you do, you are the best Off-Road channel by far. I'll follow you on anything you do.I know it will be the best and the most entertaining video. You are getting better everyday, God bless you and your family.
One thing that I noticed when you're off-roading in your videos is that you never seem to run your headlights. I always turn them on myself. Reason, safety. You can be seen further away by others driving in the opposite direction. Many off-road roads are barely wide enough for by one vehicle, so it's best to have people see each other further away so to not only slow down, but to carefully pass each other. Also too, there are always people driving fast out there, especially young people on ATV's and trail bikes. Just my two cents. 👍
You got my attention with meatloaf sandwich! Started eating those after I got married as an E4 in the Marines. (3/4 at Lejeune in the 80's.) I enjoy them just as much today, which my wife still doesn't understand lol. Love the channel Brad! I'm new to Jeeps/offroading and have learned so so much from your content. I have a '21 Rubicon that I love, and have so much respect for the Jeep community. My only regret is not buying one sooner. Thanks again and Semper Fi.
Heat is built up due to the sidewall flexing, not from the larger contact patch. Except is extreme circumstances, the ground will be cooler than the tires. A larger contact patch will actually help dissipate the heat by having a larger surface contacting the cooler surface. Small but important point. If your tires are getting hot, you need to stop working the sidewalls so much. Air them up a little or slow down.
I run my E Load Hankook Dynapro AT3 RF11 at 38. Off road 17. I have driven them at 17 on the highway at 60 mph as I didn't have time to air up. No issues. I have 49k on them now and looks like I'll get at least 60k out of them.
The jeep group I ride with often airs down and will maintain speeds of 45mph on long sections of dirt roads. Just more comfortable to ride with less air.
This is really cool and he's got the right vehicle with all the right equipment... Back in my day it was air down to drive on the beach with 4X4... Other than that, too much trouble to air back up just to drive on a dirt road... You decide...
My max psi on the CJ7's 33x15.50 15 TSL/SX bias ply I run 17 after doing the chalk test. Without beadlocks I run 10 psi on the lower side. Learned from Lite Brite that the Milestar Patagonia, the chalk test doesn't apply because it was designed with a crown in the center.
Great content as always Brad. It's nice seeing some of the old scenery again. Lived in Escondido for years and would go up to Romona and Julien quite a bit.
13:00 AMEN! Bottom line. Every vehicle, every driver, every tire size will be different. Glad to finally see a YT'er get it right. So many YT'ers say "You need to run XX Psi" just like you said about the manufacturers. So nice to see that little bulge on your tires as you go over the irregular terrain. Everyone should be careful though, auto manufacturers dont know their back side from a hole in the ground when it comes to air pressure. They have liability to consider and I'd bet 99.995% of all new vehicles built today have the TPS set to the wrong pressure. 37 in a JL with 37's Load range E? I can almost guarantee 37 psi is too high, esp for the Patagonias, but that's another story all by itself. Watching how your tires react and squat with 21 as a 20 year tire tech vet I'd bet you really need to only run 25 on the road. Do a chalk test and find out, be curious to see if I am right. General rule the lighter the vehicle, the bigger the tire, the wider the wheel, and the softer the terrain the lower you go. I ran an old 1967 V6 CJ-5 with 33x12.50s on 10" wide wheels and only ran 6 psi in the city, 8 on the highway, 5 in the rocks and 2-3 in the sand. Not once in the 30 years of running that config did I ever take a tire off the bead, and the silly thing climbed like a goat and put even a lot of sand rails to shame in the dunes. Heck, I started wheeling as an infant in the mid-60's and was very active until recently and cant remember one time where anyone in the groups I ran with took a tire off the bead. I had sand in one once but I think the 2psi I had it at seeped down some right before.
The people I wheel with won't air down because they do not have a way to air up, or they don't have a quick way to air up. A power tank and a 4 way hose is such a hot setup for that.
The defence department conducted a study in Afghanistan with their armoured vehicles with a weight between 12t and 17t. That airing down tyres increased sidewall punctures. Out of 24 vehicles over 6 months, all vehicles had 4 or more tyres changes compared to only 3 vehicles recieving only 1 change with staying airred up. Sand excluded. Essentially, gaining a tread puncture with a rock was extremely rare compared to exposing your sidewall. Tyres used were aggressive AT tyres.
Great video with lots of beautiful scenery!! In my area of Minden, NV I always air down any time I hit the dirt...lots of easy roads to explore but lots of sharp rocks and I got bit one time I didn't drop the PSI....airing down is easy enough and I always carry a compressor so I'd rather spend a few extra minutes doing that than the changing or plugging a tire.
I think it's an important point. Lots of people I know say they don't need to air down an easy trail, but there are other benefits to consider than just comfort.
Tough topic indeed. Sooooo many variables. You just have to get out on the trail with a gauge and compressor and see what works on your vehicle. For my light Bronco with it's current tires, that's 9 psi.
Great video! As for the meatloaf, I can say it is 100% NOT a thing in Spain. We lived there for a year, and our friends were absolutely blown away when we made them meatloaf. They don't have anything even similar, but they all loved it. It was our go-to American food to share with people, and they always wanted the recipe.
Excellent video, especially for beginners like myself. I personally run 25psi all day long on 37’ Yokohamas. On and off-road. Seems to be the sweet spot for my vehicle. Safe travels ….
airing down works well for tires with relatively large sidewalls that give more space to flex. narrow sidewall tires generally should not be aired down. narrow sidewall tires are much more sensitive to tire pressure and if underinflated can overheat quickly, wear out the sidewall, and get the tire pinched between the wheel and the ground or obstacle (or bend the wheel).
Awesome Videos man! Very well made and your narration is very laid back, warm, and welcoming. They are also a wealth of information and relaxing to watch.
Great informational video. Heading into the off season, it is things like this that we all need to refresh ourselves with. Thanks for the info. Until next time... Travel safe.
New to jeeping and looking for feedback from others. What’s critical for when to air back up? Obviously don’t drive on freeways when aired down, but what about residential pavement? Is 10 miles too far? Is 5 miles at 55 too far? Just asking so I have a better idea about limits. Airing down is easy, airing up gets tricky.
Toyo tires actually has a chart on their website that shows tire pressure vs vehicle weight. For instance the proper “street pressure” for a 37x12.50x17 for proper wear on an average 5000lbs wrangler is actually under 25psi. I do understand the Patagonia is the exception to the rule.
If you can afford the setup, space and weight I would highly recommend something like Power Tank. I started out with their gear and when it broke I went to a welding supply shop and got new components for 1/3 of the price. Not as nice or fast but still about 50/75% faster air up then any compressor I have ever tried. Also, don't buy the power tank CO2 bottle. Any 5,10 or 20 lb tank will work just as well. And something to consider is, a lot of shops won't fill your tank on site. They want to swap you out for a prefilled tank so you will have to give up that pretty tank unless you are lucky enough to know anyplace that fills.
Finally I am convinced. Great video! All the pros and cons. Btw will you do a video about your lighting and why you changed from the Flex Era 4s back to the Pro 6. Also love your new KC fog lights. Will you ever change out your headlights to something like diode dynamic elites?
Thanks! My change in lighting was strictly for aesthetics. The Flex Era 4's probably outperform the Pro6, but I like their look better and they meet my needs.
Great info Brad! Like we always say in our small group of wheelers WWBD?! (What Would Brad Do) I do have a question for you Brad. Commonly say for instance in Big Bear, I will be aired down to 20 psi in my 4Runner on trail. Occasionally we will hit the pavement for a bit to another trail head or occasionally go into town for lunch. We exceed 20 MPH at perhaps 45 MPH. Is this dangerous?
Thanks!
Wow! Thank you so much! I truly appreciate your support!
This is the one off roading channel where the music is always on point, it's never too loud or corny.
Thank you! Sometimes choosing the music is the hardest part of the edit.
Dude 99% of off-road RUclipsrs use the goofiest music I’ve ever heard, doesn’t make any sense or have anything to do with the video
@@TrailReconis it AI generated?
That's why rarely put music in my videos, only if the sound is bad or as an introduction to the video. I prefer the sound of the engine, mud, tires, etc.
Agreed. I generally prefer videos without music, just the recorded sound (apart from wind noise!) will do just fine.
One more benefit of airing down not mentioned is it's actually easier on the components of your vehicle, just like it's a softer ride for the occupants it's softer on the components. Great video as always.
Exactly. On easy ones I do 25psi or so hard ones 18-20psi.
Yup 👍🏼
This trail is better than any of regular roads in my country
I take exception to always running lower tire pressures off pavement. I have been driving off pavement since the late 1960's. I also spent 30 years as a Forest Manager and Logging Engineer. I signed off on the checks to pay for road maintenance. For me it makes since to SLOW DOWN and smell the sagebrush. It is not the tire pressure that increases ware and tear on the roads but SPEED. I found that switching from 2 wd to 4 wd off pavement results in better driving, but keep the speeds down. It is not how many miles you travel each day but the quality of the trip that is important to me. In conclusion I live along the Oregon BDR. Please respect those of us that live next to your route. Slow down and reduce the DUST that prevents us from air drying our laundry and enjoying a nice meal on our patio due to the dust generated from others driving past our homes at a high rate of speed.
Interesting insights, thanks for sharing.
lower tyre pressure less wheelspin = less dust less track damage.
I totally agree especially if you have good tires. I am a search and rescue person and rarely air down. I do agree that the ride is smoother if you air down, however, I have noticed that releasing the sway bar makes it almost as smooth. I do run a stock Rubicon on my rescues. Many times I have to go into areas where lifted vehicles get stuck. Since I'm not lifted, I can't afford to lose that .5 inch from airing down. Finally, I don't ruin my tires any faster or more often than the folks that do air down. Just buy quality tires and feel comfortable not to air down if you don't want to.
I always air down but, to your point, I don't drive fast and I always slow down when passing residences, hikers or bikers on the trail. Sometimes they give me funny looks when I do but I just tell them why. And for horses, I stop and wait for instructions from the rider.
👍🏼
I love this guy. Brad always has a smile on his face, is just as happy on a simple trail or a trail like the Rubicon. And the little pointers are always welcome.
Thank you! I'm just happy to be outside!
Does anyone else think Brad does it on purpose to stop and turn off the engine just to start the engine up again and hear the roar of the exhaust and engine! lol, another awesome video! Thanks Brad!
LOL! The sounds doesn't get old!
I have a 392…..I do that 😉
Hey Brad, I had a JK now a 392 😉 with the same load out I’ve noticed I’m running higher pressures due to the increased weight…. I assume you are doing the same?
Who cares, I'd be doing it too...sounds really good!
we would have rissoles in australia, basically the exact same recipe as meatloaf but instead of baking a loaf we'd form them into palm sized balls flatten a bit on two sides but thicker than a burger patty and fry them up. usually eat them along with mash potato and vegetables but extra ones are made to go on sandwiches the next day usually cold and cut in half so yes we eat the same thing just differently.
Once again you nailed the video Brad. You have a way to explain topics that is very easy to follow. I appreciate the GPS coordinates at the beginning too. I hope you continue doing this in the future.
Glad to help!
I think this little series you are doing (intentional or not) has been great. In sports we would always take the off season to go back to basics to really help dial in the advanced stuff later. These are great for new and experienced guys to go back and consider what and why they are doing what they are doing. Well done and thank you.
I love the Ramona area. Back in '74 & '75, I lived on Old Julian highway, halfway to Santa Ysabel. I am a water guy for work. When I worked for LA County over 12 years ago. My duties included sampling water in fire department reservoirs accessed on similar roads. I had a lot of access to locked gates. I drove a 2006 Ford F-350 4wd. Not enough time to air down those 275/65-18 tires. Never got stuck.
Now with my personal vehicles, I operate quite differently. And everything you coverd in this story usually applies.
Great video, another benefit I would like to mention when aired down is, your vehicle isn't taking a beating either! Less wear and tear on the components
Here on the beaches in Delaware the state parks have air stations at each beach ramp. Free air!!! I do have a Viair for backup.
If for any reason at all, airing down for comfort is a must. Having a quality portable or on-board air up system is a must!
As a fellow veteran, thanks for your service. As a fellow off roader, thanks for your content. You present information in an easily understandable manner. You are very likable.
I especially like when you include your wife and son. But the information you include about your vehicles is invaluable. I’ve never seen a better explanation for airing down.
Keep up the great videos and I will keep watching. Your enthusiasm for off-roading is infectious.
Thank you and than you for your service! Oorah!
What wheels are you running love the Easy way to air down and the Clean Setup for the quad hoses
Love the easy aor down Twist Valves on your wheels that is slick were you get that setup from 1:41
Envious of the people out west... East coast does not have easy access to public land.... So you are stuck with long drives to off-road parks....
We are fortunate for sure!
Another thing to consider with how temperature affects tire pressure - if you camp out somewhere it was warm during the day, but has a strong temp drop at night like the desert in winter, you can wake up to some scary low tires so check that before you just drive off in the morning. Airing down seems scary at first but just do it, it becomes intuitive after a bit. As long as you have all terrains or better and err on the side of higher pressure when in doubt it’s hard to mess it up.
Fun to watch, with great pointers and general info about pros/cons of airing up/down. Only thing I'd add -- which will seem intuitive to longtime wheelers -- is that big tires means extra time and stooping over at the end of the day, and that can get old really quickly, especially when you're "a senior," and/or when you've got to get home quickly in the event of an injury or other unanticipated mishap. Dropping pressures on 37" (and over) tires to, say, 15 psi means double-digit minutes to air back up to 32/34 psi -- at least with my single-line and twin-ARB setup. On my 2019 JLU dropping to 25 psi (with 37" KM3s) is enough to yield a MUCH smoother ride over mild trails (like the one depicted), but not have you hunched over, indefinitely, at days end filling those cavernous tires. The weight of your rig (and suspension mods) will dictate the "sweet spot" for what defines comfort vs. what means unwanted delays at the end of the day.
My 10 year old daughter loves to help air down and totally understands the benefits, not the least of which is comfort.
Love the exhaust tip skid you have pretty sweet
Love your wheel Setup for your hoses as well as where you plug in your Quad hose System under each seat that is slick
With the rise of diesel trucks, trail conditions have certainly gone down compared to 20 years ago. And a lot of that is because they run 60-80psi in their tires, and spin on even mild hills. Sure, they make it, but it induces really bad wash board. And then on flat sections, the high pressure causes their tires to bounce which then causes wash board as well. Also, the chalk test doesn't work on newer tires, like the ones you are running. They are designed to have a crown to keep them more quiet (Per milestar).
Being relatively new to Jeeping, the 'airing down on an easy trail part' is something that I have been always wondering about. I guess I will air down more often with this info. Interesting about the TrailRecon shop as well. So far I have somehow missed that part and I used to watch out in the video for what equipment is used. Good to know I can find it here and thereby support the channel.
We've had trailrecon.com up for almost 2 years now, appreciate the support!
I just love that sound every time you start the engine.
I totally agree at 11:09 it’s the worst when the holes are large, especially from extensive use from past owners.
As a former San Diego County resident I used to run Orosco Ridge when it was legal shooting and there were no gates. You could run the ridge and make a loop through Guejito Truck Trail down into Pamo Valley on the north side. The forest service came in around the late 90's and removed Guejito returning it to a natural state. I had many friends in the valley back when Ray Foster owned Pamo but was forced to sell to the City of San Diego for a proposed dam project which never happened because of the projected environmental damage. The city allowed Ray to run cattle until his death in the early 2000's. Fun times back then.
The aerial views are stunning
Brad, yes I enjoyed hanging out with you. You go on so many trails that are so scenic and stock Jeep capable. While some offroad challenges are fun, it is also fun to just get out in the country and drive.
I almost always learn something new from watching your videos and reading all the insightful comments, but these last few videos have been packed with so much useful info especially for a beginner like myself. Thanks a ton Brad!
You're welcome!
Brad, i know this is an older video. My son and i watch you so often, we both think you are THE best overland influencer out there. Well, that was BEFORE i knew you play in my backyard. Im a 3rd generation Ramona resident, have been in the off road scene my whole life and never knew that trail was there, and i grew up on Haverford rd. Obviously stoked to see this, hope to cross paths and shake hands one day! Thanks for being out there and for all you share and how you share it.
Thank you for the kind words! We're lucky to live in an area where there are so many opportunities to get off road. Be sure to stop me and say hi if you see me out on the trails.
I love how you edit your clips, from the air and near the ground, some effort you put into it.
You can tell by the comments that, like Brad, off road raiders are happy, decent intelligent people + No profanity. That’s a breath of fresh air in itself.
Great super-debated topic, much like “what gearset to re-gear to when going to a larger tire”….all kinds of input and opinions, all of which ultimately comes down to you and your specific setup. Thanks Brad for covering and your input, it’s highly valued and appreciated, stay safe!
Ran all these roads and trails back in the mid 80's while stationed at NSBSD, great to see them again.
My next question is when do I use my sway bar disconnect. I have a '17 JKU Rubicon Recon. And let's talk about when to use front, rear or both lockers. This is a great and very helpful video!
I’ve enjoyed following alongside you and your adventures. You do a GREAT job at telling your story. You said a key word that I think needs a follow-up, Ranger Station. Could you take a trip to the Ranger Station and possibly spend a day with them showing us all the great work that is done in the background so everyone can enjoy the work that is done? Thanks and one day Ill love to see you on the dirt road.
I love that you are putting coordinates in your videos again. Thank you.
I need to find one of those tire pressure calculators. Been guessing with my gladiator & think I’m close to knowing my sweet spot but would love to see what the calculator says. ❤
As always great video & info Brad.
Sidewall temperature is a good way to know if the pressure is too low for the weight and speed. If the pressure is too low the sidewalls will get hot because the tires are flexing too much. At my 'general purpose wheeling' pressure of 15psi sidewall temp tells me I can go 40mph for about five miles or 35mph continuously on pavement. At 12psi 20mph is the maximum sustained speed. (4500 pound early Pathfinder on 33x10.5 Super Swamper TSL Radials.) If your sidewalls aren't smooth and are getting 'lumpy' you've run them too fast for the pressure/load.
I almost always air down. I have an older Jeep with leaf springs all the way around. I had them custom made, so they work well but they are still leaf springs and old technology. Even on my ZR2 I will drop it from street pressure to about 20ish or so, it takes the edge off on the washboards and such.
Always enjoy your videos, Brad. 😊
Not everyone has a 4x4 with coil spring comfort.
I drive a 1993 YJ that's still got leaf springs. Airing down allows for a much nicer ride over chuck holes, ruts, and small rocks . Even a pressure drop of 10 pounds can make a big improvement.
Even just a little deflation helps a lot on the lumps and bumps. 👍
Thanks Brad for another relaxing, informative and well shot off-road video. My air down methods and pressures are similar to yours and agree with your advice.
I run on an air down pickup truck on the highway by default. It absorbs small potholes flawlessly. And it reduce the rattle at rough concrete pavements. It consumes a little more diesel, but it's negligible for the comfort I get.
I learned to appreciate airing down on light stuff when I spent hours on mountain gravel roads with unreal washboards during a trip to New Mexico. I got weird looks when I was airing down on the side of the road. Just 10 lbs down made the washboards nearly smooth.
Good video. I learned the hard way. My non-offroad stock tires got a flat on an easy dirt 2wd road. My KO2s aired down to 22-25 psi have been great for the last 5 years. I also learned my 1st cheap compressor was not worth it. A better compressor airs me back up 3-4 times faster.
Learned that lesson the hard way myself!
Sweet jeep love the red
What I tend to do is to use different psi depending on the trail... easy would be 22 - 25, getting harder gets lower (JLUR with 37s), another thing is that for example, dunes or lose sand... no beadlocks is normal to go 10 psi
My thoughts are that you don't "need" to air down on easy trails, but it makes the ride smoother on driver and passengers. I'll air down on an easier trail not because I need every molecule of performance. Just that I'm 43 years old and my back is 65.
As an aside, I'm still mad I didn't know about the Nomad wheels when I bought my last set of wheels. I honestly may sell the ones I have just to get the air down convenience.
Check out the apex valve stems from apex design usa. Makes airing down quicker and it seems like I can air up faster with them. You don't need new wheels (as long as the wheels you have aren't AEV and a few others like them) just replaces the normal rubber valve stems.
I used to not air down at all on plain dirt roads but as I got older and my back started to hurt with age, I now air down all the time. Washboard roads are practically smooth when you air down.
Good video as always. Thank you for bringing up driving at a higher speed at low air pressure!
Thank you! Yes, I think talking about being aired down at speed was an important point.
Stunning Views wow 0:30
Hi Brad, First and foremost before my question/comment. You and Regena no doubt are very proud parents. That said please give your boys a big ole high five from a fan in Arizona. They have been producing great content over on the StoryRecon channel. Thank you guys! Ok here's my 2 cents. Airing down is the best way to make the ride of almost any rig more comfortable out on the trail and increase traction. What I ponder is this. Not only does an air compressor pump air it also condenses water depending on the humidity where you are located. I.E. Last year we were in Telluride Colorado with afternoon rain storms. My portable air pump was really putting out the water when airing up. When I would disconnect the chuck from the wheel and 37" Nitto's I'd get a big spray of water all around. So was everyone else. I'm thinking that couldn't be good having moisture build up inside the tire with no way of ever drying out. Your thoughts please?
Thank you! Very proud of the boys and more content to come on StoryRecon. Not sure about the moisture build up, haven't experience that myself.
As a fellow veteran,thank you for what you do, you are the best Off-Road channel by far. I'll follow you on anything you do.I know it will be the best and the most entertaining video. You are getting better everyday, God bless you and your family.
Wow! Thank you so much and I truly appreciate you feedback. And thank you for your service!
One thing that I noticed when you're off-roading in your videos is that you never seem to run your headlights.
I always turn them on myself. Reason, safety. You can be seen further away by others driving in the opposite direction.
Many off-road roads are barely wide enough for by one vehicle, so it's best to have people see each other further away so to not only slow down, but to carefully pass each other.
Also too, there are always people driving fast out there, especially young people on ATV's and trail bikes.
Just my two cents. 👍
I love your channel!! The editing is perfect too!! I’m going on my first off road trail in about two weeks so these are really helpful! Thank you!
started following after your k'gari-fraser trip with patriot. glad i did. will definately be keeping an eye out for new videos
Thank you! Having Justin show us around K'gari was such an epic trip!
You got my attention with meatloaf sandwich! Started eating those after I got married as an E4 in the Marines. (3/4 at Lejeune in the 80's.) I enjoy them just as much today, which my wife still doesn't understand lol. Love the channel Brad! I'm new to Jeeps/offroading and have learned so so much from your content. I have a '21 Rubicon that I love, and have so much respect for the Jeep community. My only regret is not buying one sooner. Thanks again and Semper Fi.
Thank you and thanks for your service motivator! Oorah!
Meatloaf sandwiches are the best! I grew up eating them. 😄
Heat is built up due to the sidewall flexing, not from the larger contact patch. Except is extreme circumstances, the ground will be cooler than the tires. A larger contact patch will actually help dissipate the heat by having a larger surface contacting the cooler surface. Small but important point. If your tires are getting hot, you need to stop working the sidewalls so much. Air them up a little or slow down.
I am enjoying all of these educational videos lately. Thanks for sharing your knowledge! We appreciate you!
As a Brit, I can tell you that meatloaf isn’t a thing, but I certainly love it since living in the States!
I run my E Load Hankook Dynapro AT3 RF11 at 38. Off road 17. I have driven them at 17 on the highway at 60 mph as I didn't have time to air up. No issues. I have 49k on them now and looks like I'll get at least 60k out of them.
The jeep group I ride with often airs down and will maintain speeds of 45mph on long sections of dirt roads. Just more comfortable to ride with less air.
@@John-uo1qf Stoney Pass is a good example. Air down as soon as you turn off the highway from Creede. Makes washboard so much easier.
This is really cool and he's got the right vehicle with all the right equipment... Back in my day it was air down to drive on the beach with 4X4... Other than that, too much trouble to air back up just to drive on a dirt road... You decide...
New Jeep owner here. luv this channel's easy throttle, fun infused vibe :)
My max psi on the CJ7's 33x15.50 15 TSL/SX bias ply I run 17 after doing the chalk test.
Without beadlocks I run 10 psi on the lower side.
Learned from Lite Brite that the Milestar Patagonia, the chalk test doesn't apply because it was designed with a crown in the center.
Great topic
Perfect video as always! Btw, your Jeep has never looked better. That is one sexy beast!
Thank you!
Great Episode and yes we enjoy Meatloaf in Australia 🇦🇺
Great content as always Brad. It's nice seeing some of the old scenery again. Lived in Escondido for years and would go up to Romona and Julien quite a bit.
13:00 AMEN! Bottom line. Every vehicle, every driver, every tire size will be different. Glad to finally see a YT'er get it right. So many YT'ers say "You need to run XX Psi" just like you said about the manufacturers. So nice to see that little bulge on your tires as you go over the irregular terrain. Everyone should be careful though, auto manufacturers dont know their back side from a hole in the ground when it comes to air pressure. They have liability to consider and I'd bet 99.995% of all new vehicles built today have the TPS set to the wrong pressure. 37 in a JL with 37's Load range E? I can almost guarantee 37 psi is too high, esp for the Patagonias, but that's another story all by itself. Watching how your tires react and squat with 21 as a 20 year tire tech vet I'd bet you really need to only run 25 on the road. Do a chalk test and find out, be curious to see if I am right.
General rule the lighter the vehicle, the bigger the tire, the wider the wheel, and the softer the terrain the lower you go. I ran an old 1967 V6 CJ-5 with 33x12.50s on 10" wide wheels and only ran 6 psi in the city, 8 on the highway, 5 in the rocks and 2-3 in the sand. Not once in the 30 years of running that config did I ever take a tire off the bead, and the silly thing climbed like a goat and put even a lot of sand rails to shame in the dunes. Heck, I started wheeling as an infant in the mid-60's and was very active until recently and cant remember one time where anyone in the groups I ran with took a tire off the bead. I had sand in one once but I think the 2psi I had it at seeped down some right before.
Beautiful scenery and great info. So much to learn!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
The people I wheel with won't air down because they do not have a way to air up, or they don't have a quick way to air up. A power tank and a 4 way hose is such a hot setup for that.
I grew up in Ramona. I hiked Iron Mtn every weekend in the summers. I love this area
Comfort, comfort, comfort. Even on easy trails. I typically run 10 to 15 psi.
The defence department conducted a study in Afghanistan with their armoured vehicles with a weight between 12t and 17t. That airing down tyres increased sidewall punctures. Out of 24 vehicles over 6 months, all vehicles had 4 or more tyres changes compared to only 3 vehicles recieving only 1 change with staying airred up. Sand excluded.
Essentially, gaining a tread puncture with a rock was extremely rare compared to exposing your sidewall.
Tyres used were aggressive AT tyres.
Great video with lots of beautiful scenery!! In my area of Minden, NV I always air down any time I hit the dirt...lots of easy roads to explore but lots of sharp rocks and I got bit one time I didn't drop the PSI....airing down is easy enough and I always carry a compressor so I'd rather spend a few extra minutes doing that than the changing or plugging a tire.
Brad's got his 392 lookin' pretty darn clean!
Great vid, agreed, always air down unless it’s way too short of a trail..
Thanks for answering the questions I didn't know to ask.
Awesome as always.Thanks for sharing and taking us along
I never considered that airing down is better for preserving the trail. Good point!
I think it's an important point. Lots of people I know say they don't need to air down an easy trail, but there are other benefits to consider than just comfort.
Tough topic indeed. Sooooo many variables. You just have to get out on the trail with a gauge and compressor and see what works on your vehicle. For my light Bronco with it's current tires, that's 9 psi.
Lots of variable!
Great information, Great Scenery, great b-roll, and great music (even the exhaust music).
Great video! As for the meatloaf, I can say it is 100% NOT a thing in Spain. We lived there for a year, and our friends were absolutely blown away when we made them meatloaf. They don't have anything even similar, but they all loved it. It was our go-to American food to share with people, and they always wanted the recipe.
Excellent video, especially for beginners like myself. I personally run 25psi all day long on 37’ Yokohamas. On and off-road. Seems to be the sweet spot for my vehicle. Safe travels ….
airing down works well for tires with relatively large sidewalls that give more space to flex. narrow sidewall tires generally should not be aired down. narrow sidewall tires are much more sensitive to tire pressure and if underinflated can overheat quickly, wear out the sidewall, and get the tire pinched between the wheel and the ground or obstacle (or bend the wheel).
Awesome Videos man! Very well made and your narration is very laid back, warm, and welcoming. They are also a wealth of information and relaxing to watch.
Thank you!
Thanks for this air down vid! I've learned so much from you!
You are so welcome!
Great informational video. Heading into the off season, it is things like this that we all need to refresh ourselves with. Thanks for the info. Until next time... Travel safe.
Well done! Whether expert or beginner, this is info that benefits all. Thank you!
New to jeeping and looking for feedback from others. What’s critical for when to air back up? Obviously don’t drive on freeways when aired down, but what about residential pavement? Is 10 miles too far? Is 5 miles at 55 too far? Just asking so I have a better idea about limits. Airing down is easy, airing up gets tricky.
Your obviously a person that never has to take a dump after eating a wonderful meatloaf sandwich.
Toyo tires actually has a chart on their website that shows tire pressure vs vehicle weight. For instance the proper “street pressure” for a 37x12.50x17 for proper wear on an average 5000lbs wrangler is actually under 25psi. I do understand the Patagonia is the exception to the rule.
If you can afford the setup, space and weight I would highly recommend something like Power Tank. I started out with their gear and when it broke I went to a welding supply shop and got new components for 1/3 of the price. Not as nice or fast but still about 50/75% faster air up then any compressor I have ever tried. Also, don't buy the power tank CO2 bottle. Any 5,10 or 20 lb tank will work just as well. And something to consider is, a lot of shops won't fill your tank on site. They want to swap you out for a prefilled tank so you will have to give up that pretty tank unless you are lucky enough to know anyplace that fills.
Finally I am convinced. Great video! All the pros and cons. Btw will you do a video about your lighting and why you changed from the Flex Era 4s back to the Pro 6. Also love your new KC fog lights. Will you ever change out your headlights to something like diode dynamic elites?
Thanks! My change in lighting was strictly for aesthetics. The Flex Era 4's probably outperform the Pro6, but I like their look better and they meet my needs.
Great info Brad! Like we always say in our small group of wheelers WWBD?! (What Would Brad Do) I do have a question for you Brad. Commonly say for instance in Big Bear, I will be aired down to 20 psi in my 4Runner on trail. Occasionally we will hit the pavement for a bit to another trail head or occasionally go into town for lunch. We exceed 20 MPH at perhaps 45 MPH. Is this dangerous?
Shoes are on point, Brad. 😂