From experience going down to about 15 pounds will probably give the best improvement. You need to understand that the reason this works is that you are adding the tire sidewalls to the floatation effect to keep from sinking. This action can damage the tires internally. If going in sandy areas is part of your routine besides really needing a Syncro you should at least re-evaluate your tire and wheel choices. Also, sand also contains salt and other nasty stuff and the silica will easily get into the engine. With all you putting into your van why do you wish to destroy it?

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Rocket J Squirrel
Sent: Saturday, July 02, 2011 1:06 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Minimum tire pressure?

Still outfitting myself to get unstuck from sand and stuff if I ever get stuck again. Looking at the various techniques. Now have sundry recovery
tackle: traction mats, chains, hi lift jack, tree savers, d shackles and other assorted and all very heavy bits. My son and I have been practicing using this stuff so we don't kill ourselves or break anything if/when we need to use it.

So, I read on plenty of sites that reducing the air pressure in the tires can increase traction. But without bead lock rims, one cannot reduce the pressure too much else a tire comes loose.

Does anyone have any clue about how low one can safely go with stock 14'' rims and your basic 185R14 road tire?

(Of course, after lowering air pressure and presumably getting unstuck, one must re-pressurize the tires before doing much more driving. That's a given.)

--
Rocky J Squirrel (Jack Elliott)
'84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
'74 Westrailia: (Ladybug Trailer company, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) Bend, OR KG6RCR