Alaska/Canada tundra thumpers... tire pressure question

[Rusty-Gunn]

I have a Max IV with 26 inch Super TerraGrips and would like to know what tire pressure you guys run when thumping over the tundra. Whats recommended? What pressure rides best? Do you occasionally dump a tire bead? Thanks.

[Buzz]

I like 2 pounds when on tires, but even then you just have to go....s-l-o-w-
I'm assuming you have good rims, so no worries going lower I would think. Just when you think you can speed up to maybe 5 or 6 mph (sometimes you can for a bit), you'll start getting your butt kicked again. Too much inconsistency in the ground. Tracks help a lot with the bumps, but running on tundra causes a lot of problems for some track styles. It depends on whether or not you have other difficult terrain on your route as to whether tracks are needed. That's an entirely separate subject though

[Rusty-Gunn]

Buzz... Thank you. I seem to have misplaced my tire guage so I currently don't know the pressure in my tires.
We did ride for twelve hours today, riding on the tundra. Very bumpy to say the least. Go too fast and the Max hops all over, bottoming out the seat cushion. Painful!
So, we ended up going slow. Which made me think of the tire pressure. I figured I'd ask once we got back.
Once I locate my tire guage I'll check the pressure. I figure I might try five pounds of pressure then lower as needed. I don't want to dump a bead out there. Rims are Kawasaki beadlock rims I think. I heard these are good ones.
Anyhoo... I want a good ride but don't want to lose a bead. Advise is good to have.

[ARGOJIM]

If you have k-lock rims I would try 2 as suggested, an air pump with you is a good thing though they shouldn't throw the bead.
5 psi in a 26 is like 5 psi in a 21 and make the IV's miserable to ride. If you do not have k locks then you don't have much choice, the are identified by having a flat surface where the lugs go on and lug nuts are flat or reversed.

[akranger72]

Rusty-Gunn I ran 2 to 3 psi in those tires so they should all still be in the ball park.

[Rusty-Gunn]

Jim... Thank you.

Eric.. Thanks. I'll check the pressure before our next ride. I woke up sore today. Twelve hour ride over tundra does beat the living daylights out of a body not used to doing it. Obviously I will eventually get stronger.
Then I will go with 2-3 pounds. Thanks guys.

[akranger72]

Rusty tracks would be the way to go as far as a lot of cross tundra riding. You will get bounced all over running tires over tundra I tried it myself once (a long tundra crossing) very rough. Maybe think of tracks down the road?

[msafi65]

I have run the 26" tires on the k lock rims like your machine has at 1 psi unless heavely loaded then 2 is enough. They are very difficult to break a bead on the k locks. If you can't step on the tire and push a dent into it it's to hard.

[Rusty-Gunn]

Eric... Riding over the tundra the other day is actually going to be quite rare. Once the coast line melts we will ride on the beach. We were eager to go down the Baldwin Peninsula a bit early and had to go over the tundra. I won't need tracks for beach rides. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Rusty-Gunn]

Thanks for the info. I do appreciate it.