Arthur
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Registered: 10-2-2003
Location: San Anselmo, CA
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What's the right setup for washboards?
Adjustable shocks, set to soft? More or less air in the tires? Driving fast? Driving slow? I like the places where you can veer off the road and
drive along parallel to it for awhile, but I'd appreciate any advice on this.
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jrbaja
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Air down your tires to about 20 lbs
it makes all the difference! And, those side roads are fine, until you hit a berm or washout in one and go flying! Cuidado!
Those roads are known for going 5 or 45, either way it takes a toll on the vehicle, and passengers.
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The Wonderer
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Registered: 10-30-2003
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I agree air down to 18-20 lbs. slow down and crack open a cold one. Works every time! 
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John M
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Registered: 9-3-2003
Location: California High Desert
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16 lbs of air is even better
One of our buddies goes as low as 14, fortunately we have onboard air to air up when we need to.
I figure if we average 15 miles an hour we are doing about as good as we can.
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jrbaja
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Depends on the roads
and the speed. When you air down too much, you have a good chance of bending a rim on the rocks. This is from lot's of tire experience off road in
Baja and elsewhere.
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David K
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20 PSI, fast speed (40+), in 4WD (better steering and vehicle control).
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comitan
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I agree with David K, if you lower the pressure to much you increase the chances of puncture in the sidewalls, and bending the rims.
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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surfer jim
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don't think there is an answer.....air down is somewhat helpful but takes a bunch of time and then you must air up.... somewhere/somehow....not easy
to do .....usually not worth the time/trouble in my opinion....
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Anonymous
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Ditto on the air down. Makes a world of difference. FWIW I air down my 50 psi Toyos to 30 psi and they ride nice on washboard. Not great but good
enough.
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pokey
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Posts: 199
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Whoops, that was me. Forgot to log in. 
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Anonymous
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I find the best setup is a shot or two of Centenario, followed by ice cold Corona in hand.
Nice tunes on stereo.
I wouldn't do it on the highway nowadays, but I'm still not that worried on certain dirt roads.
Basic set of hand tools for all the loose screws/nuts/bolts.
Going fast enough to "get on top" works with a Very rugged vehicle with not much in it; on a road straight and wide enough to make it somewhat safe.
Not me, brother. There is a certain speed you'll go through to get to that "planing" condition that is just MURDER on your vehicle.
I'd also recommend Hard braking just before any major bumps, and releasing the brakes as you go through it. When you hold the brakes going into a
bump, you astronomically increase the stress on your axles. Cross dips wider than your car at an angle...
I apologize if these pretty basic tips are already known, but sometimes you see how people drive and really wonder.
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pokey
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Location: ensenada
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^^^ has Hunter S. Thompson come back from the dead?
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Packoderm
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"What's the right setup for washboards?"
An airplane?
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Neal Johns
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On my Tacoma with cabover Pop-top camper, I run 20 lbs. (32 in. BFGs) and 45 - 50 mph on serious washboard. Back on pavement, I air up. Works for me.
Worst washboard ever seen is the road straight south out of San Ignacio. 
My motto:
Never let a Dragon pass by without pulling its tail!
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pokey
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Registered: 5-20-2005
Location: ensenada
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Every once in awhile I'll grab a six pack of Pacificos and drive out to the Ensenada back country (past the reservoir). There are some great roads
with cool scenery but serious washboard. I'll air down to deal with the washboard and air up at the closest Pemex. 
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Sharksbaja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by whistler
Proper suspension makes all the difference.I don't air down. |
Ditto, unless it's deep, soft sand.
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thebajarunner
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3718
Registered: 9-8-2003
Location: Arizona....."Free at last from crumbling Cali
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Mood: muy amable
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Don't air down too far or you will roll the tire off the rim in a hard turn. (been there, done that on a pre-run)
As to speed..... fast, FASTER, REALLY FASTER!!!!
Good advice on no brakes in a dip or a bad bump... release and fly.
Also, if you do get airborne, be very certain that your steering wheel and fronts wheels are pointed straight ahead before landing...
Baja Arriba!!
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