Sand driving psi minimum

[R1TCntrlMaIzzy]

The Cape Cod National Seashore oversand beach driving notes the psi must be at 11 psi.

Is that safe with my Michelin Defender ltx ms2 lt275 50r22 119/116S “E”? I have a G1 Quad. I was thinking 20 psi would be the lowest.

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[Polar]

With 22” and less than spirited driving I’d go 30 minimum. I usually aim for 25-28 PSI but I’m also rocking 20” rims and larger tires sometimes. You have less sidewall so be cautious.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

The Cape Cod National Seashore oversand beach driving notes the psi must be at 11 psi.

Is that safe with my Michelin Defender ltx ms2 lt275 50r22 119/116S “E”? I have a G1 Quad. I was thinking 20 psi would be the lowest.

Being as heavy and having as much torque, 11 psi would be dangerous. The 11 psi rule was probably written before EVs existed and for much lighter recreational vehicles. Unless actively enforced, I'd ignore and go by common sense (and what's recommended in your Owner Guide).

 

[NY_Rob]

Start at 25psi and work your way down to 20 if needed or the vehicle seems to be struggling. I'd be afraid to go below 20psi on such a heavy vehicle that has as much torque as a Rivian.

 

[R1TCntrlMaIzzy]

Thanks to all.

I agree with, “The 11 psi rule was probably written before EVs existed and for much lighter recreational vehicles”.

These are the vehicles in the current safety video

https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=264011BD-A7D2-4BDC-837B-BFA1E0AE88F4

 

[LivingInKaos]

11 is too low. Vehicle weight factors in here a bit. 11psi on a 3500-5000# vehicle is not the same as 11psi on a 7000# vehicle. As for minimum with the Rivian - your sand type/condition plays into this. I personally have run 20-22psi in soft sand on the OEMs without issue multiple times - but if there are obstructions in the sand like parts of branches, gravel, random rocks, etc, you won't want to take it to an extreme low. Also- this is driver experience dependent too. Knowing how to corner without blowing the bead being the biggest thing there. It's better to get stuck than to blow the bead, so if your experience level is low, keep the psi up a little higher. You can always air down more if you find yourself starting to get in a pickle. Hard to air back up when there's a big escape point between the tire and wheel

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Thanks to all.

I agree with, “The 11 psi rule was probably written before EVs existed and for much lighter recreational vehicles”.

These are the vehicles in the current safety video

https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=264011BD-A7D2-4BDC-837B-BFA1E0AE88F4

Haha. Yeah the 80s Bronco's GVWR is 64% of a R1T.

 

[Luke]

Rivian has the following in their guide for off road driving. They recommend only going to 34 psi on 22-inch tires.

 

[Jeff B.]

I have my Staun deflators set at 20 psi and I've never had issues on my R1T. When I used to use my other trail truck more often I had them set at 15 to 18 psi. It was also about 7,000 lbs, but on 38" tires and I never lost a bead, but both trucks run a much stiffer sidewall tire than the factory Pirelli's. I still don't think 20 psi would be an issue for the Pirelli's as long as your not ripping corners at high speed.

31 psi seems conservatively high for the 20" At's. Are the Pirelli's that soft on the sidewall.

 

[CharonPDX]

Thanks to all.

I agree with, “The 11 psi rule was probably written before EVs existed and for much lighter recreational vehicles”.

These are the vehicles in the current safety video

https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=264011BD-A7D2-4BDC-837B-BFA1E0AE88F4

Wow. Even on that pickup with the cabover camper, I wouldn't run 11 on the rears. When I had a similar camper on my mid '90s F-250, I think the lowest I ever put the rears when driving on sand was 15, and that felt like too low. Usually ran 40 on the road.

 

[s4wrxttcs]

Am I the only one who doesn't air down for sand?

Now sure I don't bother driving on the sand if it appears like there is a good chance of getting stuck and where I go if often populated. It's only about a mile from my house near the Oregon coast.

I go there and eat my lunch and then come home.

Airing down is the first thing I'll do if I do get stuck so its good to know the 31psi minimum (I have all-season defenders). It's also a good idea to have a deflator to make it easier like Staun deflators another poster mentioned. That way it takes less time.

 

[LivingInKaos]

Am I the only one who doesn't air down for sand?

Now sure I don't bother driving on the sand if it appears like there is a good chance of getting stuck and where I go if often populated. It's only about a mile from my house near the Oregon coast.

I go there and eat my lunch and then come home.

Airing down is the first thing I'll do if I do get stuck so its good to know the 31psi minimum (I have all-season defenders). It's also a good idea to have a deflator to make it easier like Staun deflators another poster mentioned. That way it takes less time.

You up by Pacific City, Gearhart ?

 

[NY_Rob]

Am I the only one who doesn't air down for sand?

There are different types of sand all around the country. In Daytona beach they drive 2-wheel drive family sedans right on the beach with no issues at all, but here on Long island you'll go maybe 2-3' off the pavement and sink in right to the floorpan if you tried that with a 2-wheel drive vehicle. We always need to air down on our beaches here (unless you have ridiculously huge off-road tires).

 

[Nixapatfan]

The Cape Cod National Seashore oversand beach driving notes the psi must be at 11 psi.

Is that safe with my Michelin Defender ltx ms2 lt275 50r22 119/116S “E”? I have a G1 Quad. I was thinking 20 psi would be the lowest.

If you end up doing this I'd love to hear your feedback back. I have 22s also and was planning to do this once I replace the stock tires.

 

[Webleyaz]

I just told the story about the kids in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico who would charge the gringos $40 to get their stuck trucks and suv's un-stuck. They'd collect the money, let all the air out of the tires, instruct the driver to drive to firmer sand then charge another $40 to pump the tires back up to just enough to drive on top of the sand.
This taught me to air down some heading onto sand but leave them just bulging a bit so if I get stuck I can release air until I get out and onto firmer sand. Air back up with handy on-board compressor, rinse and repeat.

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