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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64797
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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10 psi is the magic number for many. Especially true for 3-ply sidewall tires or 2WDs.
The Tacoma generally floats well at 18 psi with the tires I use.
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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I had BFG AT KO tires.
In one of the SF250 races I was helping a class 8 race truck with a broken rear axle and therefore he only had 1 wheel drive. after getting stuck a
couple of times we aired his BFG race tires down to 4 psi. He made it around about 3/4 of the race course but finally got stuck behind a buggy at the
hwy jct of Matomi wash. I was really surprised at how well he went thru the sand. I think he was running 39x12.50 tires.
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Maderita
Senior Nomad
Posts: 667
Registered: 12-14-2008
Location: San Diego
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And I presume beadlock rims??? Without beadlocks, 4 psi combined with significant throttle would either spin the wheel within the tire and/or pop
(disengage) the bead.
The reason I am noting that is to help others from making the mistake of trying that with normal (non-beadlock) wheels.
[Edited on 9-23-2021 by Maderita]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64797
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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The lowest pressure I ever had my tires at to get 'unstuck' was 6 psi! In my first Tacoma around 2002. I was at 15 psi, dropped to 10, then to 8, and
finally 6*. That was it and I drove out of the fluff. It is all about air pressure... Just drop it until you float!
This was on Shell Island during an extremely high tide that forced me to the base of the sand dunes... so powdery blow sand, very hot air temperature
and dry! It worked and the high tide didn't swallow my first Tacoma! There was a dead whale that blocked the typical way and the tide was really high!
*There was an outside chance my gauge was off, but these numbers make a good story! What ever the PSI number is, just find the point that the tires
will float on the sand instead of digging into it.
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steve5555
Nomad
Posts: 204
Registered: 7-9-2008
Location: Jamul, CA
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good one!
Quote: Originally posted by Maderita  |
A couple of observations about this video:
As TMW noted, the truck had locking diffs front and rear. That provides roughly 4x the traction available to a 2WD truck, and 2x more than a typical
4x4 with standard open diffs. That truck engine likely had way more than the average amount of torque.
I've found that at times, turning the steering wheel back and forth can assist; also at times while hunting for traction on loose hill climbs and on
mud. But it is no magic solution as presented. It had more to do with locking diffs, torque at low rpm, and airing down.
Regarding airing down, he recommended 15-20 psi in the video. That is too much air for optimal flotation with those tires and on that truck. The truck
made it out, but it is important to know that it could have done even better. Nearing the end of the video, the truck pulls onto flat sand. The slight
bulge in the BFG AT's is noticeable, but not close to the threshold where there is risk of popping off the wheel bead. He could run dunes at 11-12
psi. To get unstuck, 10 psi. And if that doesn't do it, 8 psi, but only long enough to get out of the hole and unstuck.
That appeared to be a regular cab 1/2 ton truck. Unloaded, approx. 4,500 lbs. A heavier truck (1-ton, quad cab, diesel engine, and/or with a camper)
would need a little more air. Add 2 or 3 psi to the above numbers.
When deflating, keep an eye on the sidewall. Ideally, the tire will make a smooth, uniform rounded bulge. Tires with stiff sidewalls may not bulge
much as you air down until they buckle and form a crease. Crease = bad, so add a little more air to avoid damaging the tire and rim cuts.
I ran dunes (Glamis/Gordon's/Buttercup) with a 3,600 lb. Wrangler for a couple decades, both with rear paddles or on four 33 x 12.50 BFGs, locking
diffs front and rear, bored & stroked I-6 making 260 hp. Keeping up with the buggies, I popped the beads a very few times running hard and
jumping. Overall 10 psi was a good number. If the sand is wet and hard, air up to 14+ psi when deliberately pulling hard sliding turns (don't ask how
I know 
I just noticed that what I had assumed were fake/cosmetic beadlock wheels on that truck may actually be true beadlocks. Beadlock wheels will
accommodate even lower psi.
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Tioloco
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2531
Registered: 7-30-2014
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | The lowest pressure I ever had my tires at to get 'unstuck' was 6 psi! In my first Tacoma around 2002. I was at 15 psi, dropped to 10, then to 8, and
finally 6*. That was it and I drove out of the fluff. It is all about air pressure... Just drop it until you float!
This was on Shell Island during an extremely high tide that forced me to the base of the sand dunes... so powdery blow sand, very hot air temperature
and dry! It worked and the high tide didn't swallow my first Tacoma! There was a dead whale that blocked the typical way and the tide was really high!
*There was an outside chance my gauge was off, but these numbers make a good story! What ever the PSI number is, just find the point that the tires
will float on the sand instead of digging into it. |
4-6psi on a jeep jk has been great for cruising the beach and the dunes. (35” tire 16” wheel)
15 psi on diesel superduty has provided great results in the beach with no worries. (35” tire 17” wheel)
[Edited on 9-23-2021 by Tioloco]
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geoffff
Senior Nomad
Posts: 674
Registered: 1-15-2009
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I like to talk fractions (half pressure, ⅓ pressure, etc.) as heavier vehicles generally need higher pressures - like my van (10k lbs). I run
roughly 50 highway, ⅔ of that on washboard, and ⅓ of full pressure on dry loose sand. I never go below that (about 16 PSI).
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DouglasP
Nomad
Posts: 321
Registered: 6-23-2018
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Mood: Goat hunter.
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| Quote: Originally posted by geoffff | | Quote: Originally posted by David K | As Geoffff, Pappy Jon, Mike Younghusband, etc. know... I am happy to relay your inReach or Spot device help messages, sent to me, on to Nomads or
friends of yours. We will get it figured out so you are not without assistance!
While I was driving all over Baja alone doing the guide and map research for Baja Bound, several amigos here were following me because I had a DeLorme
(now Garmin) inReach device. We could also exchange messages, sometimes almost instantly. It was a relief! My wife and I could also communicate.
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| Quote: Originally posted by aburruss | Does it make sense to put together a "region by region" contact list for us nomads?
Friends of DavidK, 4x4abc, JZ, PaulW, Stucksucks, mtgoat666(even though we know he never goes to baja.. hahah! jk) etc, etc, etc,..
People that we actually KNOW down there that would be good resources for any of us when we run into problems, are stuck, are broken, etc? I think that
would be a fantastic use of our combined resources!
[Edited on 9-20-2021 by aburruss] |
Yes! That would be super great! I don't like imposing on people, but in a real emergency I could. I am happy to compile and forward on phone # info
via PM if we want to make a list! |
This is an idea that needs to happen. I would gladly put my information in the list.
I do a lot of way off the beaten path stuff. I carry an inreach unit, but have often wondered how that would work out if needed for a broken rig type
of situation.
I have contacts that could get a hold of contacts, who could then get a hold of contacts, lol.
A dedicated group of folks with a region of Baja associated with them would be invaluable.
If this comes to fruition, count me in for a very large area in and around Punta Chivato and beyond.
Geoff, let me know if the list is a thing and I will get you my contact info.
I like beer, better than most people.
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: Originally posted by Maderita |
And I presume beadlock rims??? Without beadlocks, 4 psi combined with significant throttle would either spin the wheel within the tire and/or pop
(disengage) the bead.
The reason I am noting that is to help others from making the mistake of trying that with normal (non-beadlock) wheels.
[Edited on 9-23-2021 by Maderita] |
Yes he had beadlocks.
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bajatrailrider
Super Nomad
Posts: 2431
Registered: 1-24-2015
Location: Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy
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All of my friends from states when in Mexico. If break down call me one thing I learned off road. Exhample if you have a Toyota badly stuck . When I
got another buddy with Toyota to pull me out 😂. Now both Toyotas stuck with me having so many toys off road. I hardly use my Dodge turbo diesel 4x4
. It has been the truck to get all the others out .
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pacificobob
Super Nomad
Posts: 2304
Registered: 4-23-2006
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But,but,but.....I've been told an aired down Toyota is unstoppable.
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bajatrailrider
Super Nomad
Posts: 2431
Registered: 1-24-2015
Location: Mexico
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Mood: Happy
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Anything with 4 wheels does not get far in difficult places . I even got my sxs stuck last week. I prefer my dirt bike now that is unstoppable.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64797
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Driver's knowledge has a lot to do with it along with making good decisions on where to try and drive. Put an unskilled driver in the best off road
truck, and getting stuck is very possible!
In my nearly 50 years of driving off road, the Off Road TRD Tacoma 4x4 has been the most amazing (and never stuck) vehicle. The only mechanical fail
in 120,000 miles was when my rear brake drum broke, near Rancho el Coyote. Fortunately, bajatrailrider was there and loaned me a tool and knowledge
that allowed me to drive home!
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bajatrailrider
Super Nomad
Posts: 2431
Registered: 1-24-2015
Location: Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy
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Yes David that route very nasty when you tried to it . 😂 When you took off we all said he will be back soon . We here surprised you broke brake
line. as most normal 4x4s turn back . Same on misadventure motos I always tell them don't even think of it . 😂. In less then 30 min they return .
Broken moto broken body I don't say I told you so there too beat up. It's not even a fun route on real dirt bike . We only do it to get to nice trails
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64797
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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The rear drum assembly mount broke from the axle The brake jammed and dragged wheel rotation. The hydraulic piston seals failed, allowing brake fluid
to leak, which happened after I limped back to El Coyote. The road was rough, but the brake fail is what turned me back. With your vise grips and
Mike's rubber tube piece, we squeezed the brake line, halting fluid loss. I now have a can of brake fluid in my truck!
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