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marty75
X-TRAIL NEWBIE
Date Registered: 03-2010
Location: Port Macquarie
TOTAL POSTS: 50
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Tyre pressures for off-raod driving (trails)
Hi all,
I've recently purchased a set of 225/60 17 Yokohama GO12s for my Exxy and plan on doing some light 4Wd'ing in the Snowy Mountains over Easter. On the road the tyre dealer recommended 38 PSI front and rear but I also want to find out about the recommended pressures for light 4WD trails, e.g. fire trails.
I know for driving on sand they should be around 18 PSI but what about the harder/sharper stuff like rocks, gravel etc.
Thanks in advance
Marty
--- 2008 ST-L (Grey) - RhinoRack Aero Roof Racks, Ilana seat covers, tinted bonnet protector, headlight protectors, nudge bar, tinted windows, tow bar, cargo barrier, Yokohama 225/60 17 GO12 tyres.
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26/Mar/2012, 4:18 pm
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johnsey
X-TRAIL FANATIC
Date Registered: 01-2007
Location: Melbourne, Wantirna
TOTAL POSTS: 435
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Re: Tyre pressures for off-raod driving (trails)
Depending on the type of gravel and trail driving it would determine the pressures to drop the tyres to. For fine gravel and relatively small hilly conditions around 30 psi would be a starting point, then for coarser gravel and or muddy / slippery areas and steeper slopes a figure around 25 psi would widen the footprint and provide extra traction.
I usually start at a higher pressure and then see how it goes, it's easier to let a bit more out of the tyres if conditions require a lower pressure. If you carry a small compressor it's easy to air up again before you hit the blacktop.
--- Xcited Touring
Series 2 2005 ST Auto, nudge bar, driving lights, spoiler, GME 3100 UHF, towbar , bashplate, Yokohama Geolander AT-S and Kings Springs lift X495 (c)
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26/Mar/2012, 7:01 pm
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Toddyh03
X-TRAIL HOLIC
Date Registered: 08-2011
Location: Lalor Park, NSW
TOTAL POSTS: 1663
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Re: Tyre pressures for off-raod driving (trails)
Marty looks like you are in the same sort of area as me so I'd imagine you would be visiting many of the same locations. For mountain trails out towards Blue Mountains/Lithgow and up around Watagans I usually run 26-28psi in the dry. You may need to drop further on wet days. For Stockton Beach I run between 13-15psi but have had to drop lower than that on soft days. You might get away with 18psi on some firmer beaches but not on Stockton.
--- Toddyh X-2048 (c)
New: Challenger
Old: 2010 T31 Diesel modified
My XTrail
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24/Oct/2012, 6:20 am
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Revhead Kev
Date Registered: 10-2006
Location: Mona Vale, Sydney, AUSTRALIA
TOTAL POSTS: 6355
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Re: Tyre pressures for off-raod driving (trails)
Guys,
It would be nicer to also include the tyre size and profile to your replies as Marty has 225/60 tyres which may probably be different from yours.
Last edited by Revhead Kev, 24/Oct/2012, 6:52 am
--- Kev X450(c) T30 Guru
03 Titanium Ti T30 Series 1 **MODIFIED**
My Blog
My CarPC Worklog
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24/Oct/2012, 6:35 am
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Toddyh03
X-TRAIL HOLIC
Date Registered: 08-2011
Location: Lalor Park, NSW
TOTAL POSTS: 1663
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Re: Tyre pressures for off-raod driving (trails)
Fair point Kev. Marty my tyres are 225/65/17 Yoko Geolander ATs. I would imagine they behave very similar to your Yoko's.
--- Toddyh X-2048 (c)
New: Challenger
Old: 2010 T31 Diesel modified
My XTrail
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24/Oct/2012, 7:36 am
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Revhead Kev
Date Registered: 10-2006
Location: Mona Vale, Sydney, AUSTRALIA
TOTAL POSTS: 6355
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Re: Tyre pressures for off-raod driving (trails)
I'd be interested in the sidewall height differences between the 65 profile and the 60 profile of the 225 tyres.
As you all should know, the lower the sidewall the more susceptable they are to having cuts when pinched against the rim going too fast over large rocks with lowered pressures or not "bagging out" as much on sand and possibly rolling off the rim if turned too fast at extra-low pressures.
--- Kev X450(c) T30 Guru
03 Titanium Ti T30 Series 1 **MODIFIED**
My Blog
My CarPC Worklog
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24/Oct/2012, 9:09 am
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Toddyh03
X-TRAIL HOLIC
Date Registered: 08-2011
Location: Lalor Park, NSW
TOTAL POSTS: 1663
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Re: Tyre pressures for off-raod driving (trails)
It's around an 11mm difference in the sidewall height. As far as pressures on sand go, I used very similar pressure on Stockton with my old T30 and it had only small road tyres. You do need to be careful at lower pressures not to accelerate/stop too quickly or turn too sharp as the tyres will run off the rim if you are not.
--- Toddyh X-2048 (c)
New: Challenger
Old: 2010 T31 Diesel modified
My XTrail
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24/Oct/2012, 9:34 am
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konazz
X-TRAIL FANATIC
Date Registered: 08-2012
Location: Canberra, ACT
TOTAL POSTS: 479
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Re:
A while ago, I read an interesting rule of thumb to roughly get the right tyre pressure... 25% rule.
On hwy's, i start with 38-40psi.
When conditions start deteriorating, and you're on gravel, drop by 25% to 30psi
When it comes rougher/rockier, another 25% to around 23.
If really wet or beginning of sand, then consider 18 PSI.
If softer sand, then 13 PSI...
From there, you'll need to see what works - might be 1 or 2 PSI up or down.
--- Michael K
2012 X-Trail Series IV Diesel TS
Member X-2600 (C)
Mods: Pedders Lift Kit, Bash Plates, 16" X-trail Steel Rims, 235/70/16 A/T Tyres, Heavy Duty shock absorbers
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17/Dec/2012, 7:10 am
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