[Kansas_Farmer2]

Morning all,

Question for ya. My F350 has stock 235/85-R16 tires on her. I recently put a LS rear end in it and thought I'd run out to the lake and see if it helped any. Well, it did, but not enough. The tires I have are one step below mudders. They're open shoulder but closed centers. I'm thinking I need something like a 285 on her to spread the weight of that engine around better. Most of my driving is as follows:

80% highway
10% gravel roads
10% sand/mud

I need something that I have a fightin chance at not being stuck with in the sand / mud when I decide to go play, but won't make so much noise or wear out tomrrow from the highway driving.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance..

 

[TurboLark]

For sand you need to lower tire pressure significantly. Helps with flotation. Not too sure, but I think it's the same fer mud. Wider tires and low pressure get you alot farther.

 

[ryanPSD]

I just got back from a four day weekend on the dunes (broke my buggy, AGAIN /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif but that's what I bought it for /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif) and the truck performe flawlessly on my 285's, I was running about 16psi on my BFG AT's.

Even with the stock size tires on her if you air down to 15-20 (if unloaded) it will make a world of difference! I'd try that first...

 

[Kansas_Farmer2]

Yea, I was thinkin about that too. The fronts have 60 in and the backs are at 80. Well, that's no good for driving in the sand. Problem was, I took the generator (280lbs) and the compressor (150lbs) outta the back. I'm already heavy, I figured I didn't want to add more weight to the problem. But, without them, I can't get the pressures back to highway specs, and I've got 20 miles to drive to get home from the lake. I didn't feel like destroying 4 tires on the way home..

 

[ryanPSD]

Ah that shouldn't be too much weight. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I meant unloaded more like nothing big on the back (camper?) or large trailer. If you're concerned about that I'd just go closer to 20psi instead of lower. One of our guys pulls a 40' toy hauler with his F250 on 35's and airs down to I think 20-22 all around.

Yeah that is one concern though, I forgot to mention. You can't really air down if you don't have a way to air back up within a mile or two of road.

 

[BEECHBM69]

I run on the beach with mine all the time. 285/75 Pro Comp ATs. They work very well and I only air them down to about 28 or so. We have the benefit of having a source of air very close to most beach accesses. Perhaps some sort of on board air would solve your problem?

Dan

 

[TCH777]

you can also go to a 265/75/R16 like I did. Wider than stock but about the same height, and you can still get them in load range E if that is important to you. I really like the Yokohama's (load range D)I have one my truck, I have not had them long but they come highly reccomended from a family friend who is a well rigger in southern colorado. A few other friends use them too and have had zero complaints. The local Big O puts more of them on 3/4 to 1 tons in this area than any other tire.

I have to say these are quiet on the road and run really smooth. They seem to get really good milage out of them too.

Tim

 

[thegreg92]

just wondering...would my 2wd do ok in the sand at the dunes? its got 315/75/16 all terrains. i want to go to the dunes but dont want to get stuck. thanks

 

[ryanPSD]

Depending what you want do to in the dunes, iffy. You should be just fine if you air down to like 15-18 in the rear, 20ish up front.

I just wouldn't romp it, and stay off of anything close to steep... You should be golden to doing some easy cruising around. Heck just do it with a cooler of beer in the back, that'll keep ya from driving it hard enough to get stuck. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

When I broke my D50 racing the dunes I was way out there and made it all the way back to camp in 2wd. Of course I let out a ton more air in the rear, was probably well under 10psi.

 

[STurbo90]

[ QUOTE ]
just wondering...would my 2wd do ok in the sand at the dunes? its got 315/75/16 all terrains. i want to go to the dunes but dont want to get stuck. thanks

[/ QUOTE ]

I would only go if there were a couple of buddies with you to pull you out. I take my truck to glamis all the time and pulling into the washes with the enclosed is fine in 2wd, but even if I air it down I still need to put it in 4wd if I take it back into the dunes. The front end is just too heavy.

 

[thegreg92]

which dunes do you go to? i want to drive around doing 30-40 mph on mostly flat areas...kinda like i do here in the desert. sort of like a prerunner i guess. how deep is the sand? if i stop will i just spin em trying to get moving again?

 

[STurbo90]

I only take it to glamis or pismo beach. I actually try not to take my truck out in the dunes at all. I like to keep it regulated to tow duties only and parked in the campsite for the duration of the trip.

Really it all depends. I see tons of 2wd's prerunner style out there all the time. You can usually find a way to make what you got work for you. Things like keeping the speed up 30-40 will help, sand condition will just depend on your area, obviously the softer the sand the worse it will be. The hard packed sand, similar to after a little rain is the best for traction. Starting from a dead stop will be your biggest obstacle in anycase, after that just keep the momentum going.

The 2wd do have one advantage over 4wd, they get sideways a lot easier which = more fun.

 

[MarkEkberg]

If youtaking a 2wd anywhere questionable you need the theory of momentum. Keep it going fast until you get where you want to be, and then make sure your pointed in a good direction when you stop. i spent years taking 2wd's places i should not have. Beat me and the trucks up, but hey I was young.

 

[ryanPSD]

[ QUOTE ]
I only take it to glamis or pismo beach. I actually try not to take my truck out in the dunes at all. I like to keep it regulated to tow duties only and parked in the campsite for the duration of the trip.

Really it all depends. I see tons of 2wd's prerunner style out there all the time. You can usually find a way to make what you got work for you. Things like keeping the speed up 30-40 will help, sand condition will just depend on your area, obviously the softer the sand the worse it will be. The hard packed sand, similar to after a little rain is the best for traction. Starting from a dead stop will be your biggest obstacle in anycase, after that just keep the momentum going.

The 2wd do have one advantage over 4wd, they get sideways a lot easier which = more fun.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey, where do ya live? We go to Pismo about once a month.

The sand at Pismo can get kinda tore up so I don't go too fast, can't put my truck through that kind of beating anymore. I never been to Glamis... kinda far for me.

 

[STurbo90]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I only take it to glamis or pismo beach. I actually try not to take my truck out in the dunes at all. I like to keep it regulated to tow duties only and parked in the campsite for the duration of the trip.

Really it all depends. I see tons of 2wd's prerunner style out there all the time. You can usually find a way to make what you got work for you. Things like keeping the speed up 30-40 will help, sand condition will just depend on your area, obviously the softer the sand the worse it will be. The hard packed sand, similar to after a little rain is the best for traction. Starting from a dead stop will be your biggest obstacle in anycase, after that just keep the momentum going.

The 2wd do have one advantage over 4wd, they get sideways a lot easier which = more fun.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey, where do ya live? We go to Pismo about once a month.

The sand at Pismo can get kinda tore up so I don't go too fast, can't put my truck through that kind of beating anymore. I never been to Glamis... kinda far for me.

[/ QUOTE ]

I live in LA, thats why I only go to Pismo maybe once a year, its about the same distance to glamis for me, and Pismo is (i'm guessing) only about 10% of the size glamis is.

 

[ryanPSD]

Oh cool. Well if you haven't seen it before check out www.socaps.com /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif We have some that go to Glamis on occasion and a pretty large Pismo group now too.


To keep the thread semi on track... yeah the momentum will be important with 2wd. Just watch where you come to a stop. But as said above I think the best thing you can do is have another rig that can give you a little tug if needed. Digging sucks!