Tire Pressure Theory-Compelling or Outlandish?

[Stan H]

Hey everyone-

Wanted to get some thoughts from the more experienced off-roaders and overlanders regarding a very curious approach to tire pressure that I just heard a week ago while wheeling up in Hollister Hills, CA. I was with several guys with multiple decades of experience both driving off road and, more importantly, running training courses in off-road driving and recovery for law enforcement, forest fire crews, and the military. What they told me was really surprising.

They all run their personal off-roading vehicles at very high psi for on-road and highway driving, and then air down to what almost everyone (on this forum and elsewhere) would consider on-road pressures for driving off road. So, for example: one guy driving his Tacoma on 35-inch BFG KO2s runs them at around 50 or 55 psi on the highway, then goes down to about 35 for off-roading. If he's on sand, he'll go down to 15 or 20 psi, and if he's doing serious rock crawling, he might go down to 25 or so.

For my E-rated 35x12.5x17 Toyo Open Country AT/iii's with a max psi rating of 65, he actually suggested I be running these at 50 or 55 for the highway, then airing them down to 35 for off road.

Suffice to say this runs counter to everything I've ever heard or read about tire pressure. But these weren't just any old dudes, they were pros. When I asked about uneven wear on an over-inflated tire, he brushed it off, saying that the steel belting inside the tire keeps the tread squared and in even contact with the road regardless (until you air way down). He said at the higher pressure on the road, you'll not only get better gas mileage, but have better handling and cornering and actually prolong the life of the tire. And he said that off-road, he believed that most people air down way too much, especially those with heavy loads.

I sort of gave things a go last week and just kept my tires at 35 psi while wheeling all day with them up in Hollister (on moderate trails, admittedly) and to be honest, I never felt like I was wanting for traction. But I don't have a ton of off-roading experience so I'm not sure I'm in a position to appreciate the nuances. Certainly, I'm aware of the benefits of airing down when rock-crawling (allowing the tire to squish and wrap around rocks and obstacles). So this all left me a bit stumped.

What are your thoughts? I'd be keen to know if anyone else approaches their tire pressure this way or if this just sounds crazy.

28cold and 18 off road . I am running E-rated Kenda Klevers and I assure you they are square and no cupping and I got 26k on them so far.

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[Sweetums]

I would think the high pressure on the highway would make for a hard ride especially over bumps and potholes. In my limited wheeling experience I never felt the need to air down. I keep the pressure at whatever the door sticker says. Even running 35 inch tires.

And it beats up the vehicle. The tires are the first part of the suspension to absorb bumps; making them rock hard will transmit more shock into the bushings.