Best Recovery Boards and placement for trips

[NMhunter]

Mark is right. I aired down my KO2's on my Jeep Liberty and cut a sidewall on a rocky road. But if you're just driving in sand, or are already stuck, it works vey well. I got the 235/65 R17 tires as an option, and my next set will be 235/70R17.

That extra sidewall makes a big difference in ride quality. They are going to short sidewalls for lighter tires and better gas mileage. I'll happily give up a little gas mileage for ground clearance and ride quality.

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[CLR]

IIRC, our instructor at the Off-Rodeo suggested airing down to around 25 psi while on trail, which is how the loaners were set for us. You can go lower but risks increase as noted many times above. We also drove on the street at that pressure and it was noticeably less precise. They didn’t bother airing up and down in order to leave more time for driving.

 

[Me3]

Mark said it better than me, but I’d be leery of airing down too much with the lower profile tires, it may cause more problems than it cures — think I’d just stay out of the deep, soft sand. I, too, have gone off-road for years and think I’ve only aired down a couple of times — but I don’t run the dunes or rock climb, just tour the back country.

There's a giant dune close by here, I got stuck in the parking area many years ago in my XB. Then there's the normal desert sand with larger grains, should be no problem with the Sport

Glad to get all this info. Thanks

 

[DesertRat19]

Mark is right. I aired down my KO2's on my Jeep Liberty and cut a sidewall on a rocky road. But if you're just driving in sand, or are already stuck, it works vey well. I got the 235/65 R17 tires as an option, and my next set will be 235/70R17.

That extra sidewall makes a big difference in ride quality. They are going to short sidewalls for lighter tires and better gas mileage. I'll happily give up a little gas mileage for ground clearance and ride quality.

Would a 245 give better traction than the 235? I was leaning towards getting a 235/70 next tire as well but am wondering if the 245/65 may be better

 

[Bluebaru]

Would a 245 give better traction than the 235? I was leaning towards getting a 235/70 next tire as well but am wondering if the 245/65 may be better

I'll say yes but it depends, on the tires you choose. There is a much better tire selection in 245/65/17 and they will fit in your spare tire well, while a 235/70/17 won't.

 

[NMhunter]

I put a 235/70 R17 in my spare space (with all padding out). It sticks up a bit, but it is workable. To me it is worth the trouble for 1/2" more clearance and a smoother ride. My Falken Wildpeak 235s have performed well for me in mud, snow, and sand.

A 245/65 R17 is a wider tire, which is better on rock and sand. I believe they are worse on snow and mud.

 

[DesertRat19]

I put a 235/70 R17 in my spare space (with all padding out). It sticks up a bit, but it is workable. To me it is worth the trouble for 1/2" more clearance and a smoother ride. My Falken Wildpeak 235s have performed well for me in mud, snow, and sand.

A 245/65 R17 is a wider tire, which is better on rock and sand. I believe they are worse on snow and mud.

I really like the Falken AT3’s I have. Seem to be quite versatile. I read the AT4’s are different though.

 

[Bill G]

From what I’ve read the AT4’s are improved but considerably heavier if unprinted weight concerns you.

 

[DesertRat19]

From what I’ve read the AT4’s are improved but considerably heavier if unprinted weight concerns you.

I thought I read some people complaining of a stiffer ride and reduced mpg. Maybe that's not a consistent issue?

 

[Me3]

Mark is right. I aired down my KO2's on my Jeep Liberty and cut a sidewall on a rocky road. But if you're just driving in sand, or are already stuck, it works vey well. I got the 235/65 R17 tires as an option, and my next set will be 235/70R17.

That extra sidewall makes a big difference in ride quality. They are going to short sidewalls for lighter tires and better gas mileage. I'll happily give up a little gas mileage for ground clearance and ride quality.

Do you know if the 235/70R17 will fit the non Badlands models without rubbing? I know the Badlands have a higher road clearance than my BB, but I’m not sure about the clearance in the wheel well. A little smoother ride would be nice. I assume handling would be somewhat affected as well.

 

[NMhunter]

Do you know if the 235/70R17 will fit the non Badlands models without rubbing?

I don't know about the other models. I've read that a lift doesn't help you fit taller tires, because that isn't where the rub is. Most folks go for the wider tires (for looks, I think), so there aren't a lot of people with taller tires.

 

[DesertRat19]

I have a Viair pump, and it takes less time to pump up the tires than to deflate them. Lowering tire pressure makes a huge difference on rough roads too. That is another reason I like higher profile tires. My buddy's new truck came with low profile tires, and it rides much rougher than his old 15" wheels.

As long as you have the pump, make sure to carry a plug kit. In Mequite country, it is sometimes needed.

As for driving in sand, keeping momentum is critical. Never stop in the deep sand.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/viair-84p-portable-compressor-kit-84-1383885?cid=Shopping-Google-Organic_Feed-Product-1383885&srsltid=AfmBOooZxBRozLGrZ_1ewGSLY8E3l50qbGBDYIE85wGAXtQZsapLNK4MH78&gQT=1

viair 84P pump what you have? 31" tire max which should be good for the 65 and 70 I assume.

 

[jkernitzki]

Contrary to popular belief, wider profiles don't increase the contact patch when aired down as much as a taller profile does. The taller profile will "wrap" around obstacles far better than its lower-profile competitor of the same width.

Also, a rule of thumb when airing down is to not exceed a speed matching your pressure; in other words, if you air down to 25 psi, don't exceed 25 mph. 20 psi/20mph, and so on.

For kPa and km/h (or atmospheres/furlongs per fortnight), you're on your own.

 

[Jmuns]

viair 84P pump what you have? 31" tire max which should be good for the 65 and 70 I assume.

I have the 88p and it’s perfect for the BS. Super quick to inflate.

VIAIR 88P - https://a.co/d/aWKMgRf

 

[Me3]

I don't know about the other models. I've read that a lift doesn't help you fit taller tires, because that isn't where the rub is. Most folks go for the wider tires (for looks, I think), so there aren't a lot of people with taller tires.

Thanks, I'll look into it more when it's time.

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