Before you get stuck

Airing down your tyres — how much and how

The cheapest way to not need the boards at all. ActionTrax devotes a good deal of its own instructions to this, and rightly so: lower pressure solves the problem before it happens.

Why lower pressure works at all

A tyre at lower pressure spreads out along a longer footprint. The contact patch grows and the pressure per square centimetre drops. In sand and snow that is the difference between a wheel that rolls over the surface and a wheel that starts digging into it.

It is the cheapest off-road modification there is — it costs nothing but a few minutes and a compressor for the way back.

How much to let out

ActionTrax does not tell you to watch the gauge but the tyre: let air out until the sidewalls start to noticeably bulge. On typical rims without beadlocks that lands around 12 psi.

The limit is on the other side: at too low a pressure the tyre can come off the rim, especially when turning on hard ground. Beadlocks let you go lower, but that is a different category of kit.

Doing it without a gauge

Press the valve pin and count. The manufacturer says 30–45 seconds is usually enough, until the sidewall starts to bulge.

Then repeat exactly the same count on the other wheels. This will not set pressure to a tenth of a bar, but it will give roughly equal pressure on all four — which matters more off-road than a round number.

The mandatory step back

Before returning to tarmac the tyres have to be inflated. The manufacturer says so in capital letters and is right: on low pressure the vehicle wallows in corners, the tyre heats up from flexing, and a sharper manoeuvre can unseat the bead.

The practical conclusion: an on-board compressor, or even a small 12 V one, is as much a part of the kit as the boards themselves.

Video

What it actually looks like — footage from owners

A compilation of real recoveries: sand, mud, snow. Watch how low the tyre pressure is on the ones who get out on the first try.

Overview

Best Of ActionTrax Customer Videos

A compilation of real recoveries sent in by owners — sand, mud, snow, from cars to heavy pickups. The single best film to watch if you only watch one.

Channel: ActionTrax

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All the films

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What pressure should I air down to?

ActionTrax gives a simple rule: let air out until the sidewalls just start to noticeably bulge. On wheels without beadlocks that usually lands around 12 psi. Going lower is not worth it — the tyre can separate from the rim.

How do I air down without a gauge?

Press the valve pin and count. The manufacturer says it usually takes 30–45 seconds, until the sidewall starts to bulge. Repeat with the same count on the other wheels — equal time gives roughly equal pressure.

Do I have to re-inflate after leaving the trail?

Yes, and it is not a suggestion. The manufacturer states plainly that tyres have to be aired back up before returning to paved roads or driving at speed. On low pressure the vehicle feels mushy, the tyres overheat and wear fast, and the risk of unseating a bead during a manoeuvre is real.

Does airing down replace recovery boards?

It does not replace them, but it very often means you will not need them. A larger contact patch means lower ground pressure and less chance of the wheel digging a hole. The best combination is lower pressure plus boards in the car just in case.

What else helps avoid getting stuck?

Terrain awareness and pace. The manufacturer advises slowing down on slippery surfaces but keeping momentum through deep sand, snow and mud — and listening to how the vehicle is working before the wheels start spinning.

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