Q: As long as I have been running trails, I have never been on a beach trail like this. I have been through sand before in short stretches and just sort of maneuver my way through it without getting real fancy. But, I can "feel" it when the tires are not in synch and some slipping is going on, and then I am just happy to be done with the strip of sand... So, now that I am gearing up for a trip that will take me through nothing but sand, I figure I should pay more attention to what I have normally avoided, how to address sand... I drive a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with 33" Nitto Trail Grapplers on 18" wheels. The Jeep, rooftop tent, gear, me and the dog will come in around 5,000 pounds. Normally, I keep my PSI between 38-42, higher end of range when Im surfing highways to get to trails, and lower end for off-roading. I have read numerous times about this "air down" concept for navigating through sand. What I can't really seem to find is how much I should "air down" to give me the proper traction. Is there a rule of thumb for this, like a simple formula based on weight and tire size, etc? I know the tire will take up to 80, I run half of that, but what should I target for my trip to the sand? Any suggestions appreciated.
–Matt Charles (02/01/2021)