Tire pressure at Parashant National Monument

[JTorrence]

Heading to Parashant National Monument from FL next month and I know I will need to lower the tire pressure for the terrain…just not sure how much. Running 37’s on my Gladiator Sport.
Ideal psi? Any advice is appreciated

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[Sweetums]

It depends on a lot of things:
How rough is the terrain, how much weight are you carrying, what is your wheel diameter? It's not that scientific, assuming you are on 37"s and 17" wheels you can lower pressure until you get a decent bulge around the tire sidewall; drive it and see if you need it to be softer and let out more if needed.

 

[JTorrence]

It depends on a lot of things:
How rough is the terrain, how much weight are you carrying, what is your wheel diameter? It's not that scientific, assuming you are on 37"s and 17" wheels you can lower pressure until you get a decent bulge around the tire sidewall; drive it and see if you need it to be softer and let out more if needed.

Tires are 37 x 12.5 on 22s…the terrain is rocky and old lava ( I will have two spares with me as well). Appreciate the advice very much.

 

[Sweetums]

Tires are 37 x 12.5 on 22s…the terrain is rocky and old lava ( I will have two spares with me as well). Appreciate the advice very much.

On 22"?!

No. Just, no, not on volcanic rock. You are asking for wheel damage and multiple punctures. Sorry man, but if you build it to look cool on the street you are giving up off road capability.

 

[JTorrence]

Understood…bought it used with the current set up, but with that being said I do have a 2nd set on stock 20’s that I can switch out and use the 22’s as my spares. It’s only lime rock in Florida and I am not familiar with that area which is why I asked.

 

[Overland_Dreamrz]

Are you able to air back up on your own (ie, portable compressor)? If so, I would air down to about 17-18 pounds, that will provide a bit of added comfort.

 

[JTorrence]

Yes, we will have a portable ac. Just wasn’t sure how low to go. Not going to be doing anything too crazy out there lol! Appreciate the feedback!

 

[fourfa]

I ran the hardest roads in Parashant in an old Tacoma on 32s at ~20psi with no flats. There are miles long stretches of pumpkin sized basalt boulders, gets old and it's very slow going. My current JTRD on 37s, I would start at 18psi and evaluate from there.

Not for nothing but this is very deep backcountry and no one is going to drive by to help you out. Proper off-road rated tires, spare tire (or two) of equal quality, good compressor (possibly a spare), tire patch kit (gluetread etc), lots of extra food and water and warmth, sat comm or HF ham radio. This is a place that can legit kill you

That said - have fun, it's an extraordinary place. Exceedingly dark skies if you do any astronomy things. Hope you're going at new moon.

 

[JTorrence]

Thanks for the input! We have a satellite phone, air compressor, 2 spares, patch kit, extra fuel, and plenty of MRE’s/ water. We’ve been researching for this trip but just couldn’t find anything on psi so I posted here and the responses have been very helpful. Really looking forward to this trip and I will definitely be checking the moon phase!

 

[fourfa]

Great! you sound properly informed. I remember looking at the NPS guidance on Parashant roads and thinking, 1: this has to be the most detailed guidance for any NPS unit including DVNP, and 2: this is a decent guide to building a backcountry overland rig from scratch, just check off everything they list

Have fun! I can't wait to get back out there with a couple astrophotography rigs for a few nights

 

[JTorrence]

As prepared as we can be and I agree with you on the NPS info…very detailed! Tried to research as much as I could. I will try to post pics and update this thread with my thoughts on road conditions etc… Y’all have been very helpful! April can’t get here soon enough…been waiting on this trip forever!

 

[Mash5]

How did your trip go?

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