How Tire Pressure affects Traction and Suspension (Shock Therapy LIVE 3/2/21)

Tire pressure affects ground clearance and can cause pinch flats if set too low, but did you also know that your tire is a critical part of your suspension?
In the sand, we recommend running 12-16psi. In dirt, we recommend 12-16psi for play and 18-28psi for race.
Shock Therapy is a world-class suspension tuning and component company based in Phoenix, Arizona. We make original products right here in the USA and ship worldwide to all customers. Whether you are a casual owner or a racing enthusiast, Shock Therapy makes sure to place you FIRST. Purchase our sway bars, toe links, shocks, ride improvement systems, and more at www.shocktherapyusa.com
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[@mikeschulik8822]

I’m gonna start doing a shot every time Justin says “typically” 😆

[@ShockTherapyllc]

Now we are talking. Typically

[@aarongonzales5106]

You’ll be hammered in about 10 minutes 😏

[@off-roadingexplained8417]

It actually takes MORE pressure with thicker tires to support the same weight. It's backwards from what you'd assume and while tires are hardly like balloons.... It takes more air pressure to inflate a thicker balloon. That's the way to think about it. On cars and trucks , P rated tires require less pressure (and support less weight and pressure) than LT tires for like example. I totally agree with what you're saying about pressures that are too low causing the shock to do nothing. 100%

[@thebigoutside9623]

great video love! love all the info!

[@johnsharpnack4983]

I appreciate this video, everyone has an opinion and I have been looking for this info from a trusted source and you guys are definitely that. Shirt size XL, red. 😁

[@KAP32DW]

Excellent demonstration. Agreed as we run minimum 14lbs. Never more than 20lbs on hard pack.

[@josephcottone9613]

Thanks for the video! I never considered how the tire psi would change the shock valving effectiveness.

[@1gr8oil]

I have a 2019 MAVERICK SPORT XRC that I use mainly for trail riding. I have been putting 9 PSI in the front tires and 11 PSI in the rear, Liberty tires. I guess I will put more pressure in them from now on. I did install the duel rate "SHOCK THERAPY" springs too.

[@sunnypringle]

Well my next dune trip this weekend im running 12lbs all the way around 👍

[@elroyeolsonjr8729]

Love all the great information you guys give, Thank you

[@solowfrful]

I really appreciate this and all of your videos! As someone who is self employed, I understand the cost of making these videos. I also understand the benefits. With that said, your videos are quality, well done, and very informative. Justin I thank you for taking the time to explain in simple terms each topic for the videos. I find them informative and entertaining. I have a new car coming and can’t wait to put some ST stuff on it.

[@ShockTherapyllc]

Jeff, thank you. It is a lot of effort and expense but it comes back ten fold when I get a comment like yours. Thank you for taking the time to comment abd watch. Can’t wait to see your UTV. 👍

[@maverickx3838]

Imaginary.... well put

[@walkerscott12]

Lol if engineers were right all the time, we wouldn't have to always find specialized operations like yours. Lol experience means alot aswell. Thanks everybody,

[@johngeary8534]

Ohsa approved!!

[@roosteroriginal6458]

My tires recommend 7psi and my 4wheeler recommends 4psi - I run 5psi - it's perfect.

[@ryanhellman651]

Please get into sand tires. I would love that

[@guyplusguitar310]

Thank you! How do I apply to take my test for a doctorate's degree, now that I've watched all of your videos? J/k

[@doc559]

🏆🏆🏆👍🙏 Thank you for sharing

[@mikeschulik8822]

How often should you change the air in the tires? I heard flagstaff air was better for tires.

[@troymcdonald9086]

Chase sounds like a Cereal Killer in the back ground! Lol! Love your show ! As many shows as you You could use a little better mic set up & for the calls! Drowned out #NoChase or DuckTape! Lol! You Have the Most Informative show for Utv's & Racing! Thankyou So Very Much! Ive Learned Alot from watching you! Keep Up the Great Work! & Good Luck Racing! # NoChase!

[@LACURIOSA5]

i run 12PSI on my skats on my YXZ in the sand

[@Alan1michel]

Yep!! I Put new skats at 10psi and it was horrible. 16 psi was incredible better.

[@one_slow_rzr169]

Does balancing the wheel help in anyway ? Thank you

[@dlocomx783]

I run 11.5 psi on my turbo s itp coyotes 32s I had it at 15 psi but it was really un Predictable

[@r23g51r]

What about a tire like rockabillys that has a max psi of 8?

[@lowellcrabb151]

Did this not happen?

[@shonsweet2781]

Can Steve even zip up his sweatshirt? Is just tying the hoodie string from the Coca Cola training videos?

[@dclsxfactory7823]

So what weight shock oil would you recommend we fill the tires with to control the rebound of the sidewall? 🤷🏻‍♂️😂

[@ShockTherapyllc]

🤣🤣

[@csweeney66]

I run in the desert south of Henderson, NV and probably an avg. 30 to 35mph. 2021 Pro XP 4 with Fox Live and Dynamix. Manual says to run 14 front and 24 rear. I run 12 front and 21 rear and have really good comfort, but some rear bottom-outs on landings, and had 2 punctures in the rear. I want the best performance and endurance with these Carnivores without sacrificing too much comfort for this terrain and speed. Would you still agree with 12/21? Thanks guys, love what you're doing.

[@ShockTherapyllc]

Personally I would run 12-16 front and 16-18 rear. If you get punctures that is typically not air pressure. Tire pinch, sidewall damage and wheel damage are air pressure. If your bottoming out with 21 in the rear it isn't because of air pressure. Your ride height could be low. You might have too much weight in it for the spring kit or you need valving to fix your bottoming out. Spring kits and shock internals are magic in this area.

[@csweeney66]

@@ShockTherapyllc thanks! I do have a spare tire, Polaris tire carrier, and 2 bins of tools/supplies I’ve added. So I’m sure weight is a factor. I always firm up with the oh s*** button on big landings, but will often scrape. I’ll take your advice and look to improve the shocks in the rear.

[@chief4343]

I have a 2021 Polaris Ranger 1000 non-xp crew, my shocks are on the outboard holes for maximum height gain, the stock shocks are adjusted to the harder ride position for more height gain, I have switched tires to the tusk aramid 10 ply bead to bead, max tire pressure is 28psi. I mainly ride asphalt and gravel, I like the ride at 28psi. I have noticed at 28psi the tires' contact patch appeared to be smaller, here is my question; how does the contact patch play into the equation? at the higher pressure, I am afraid the tires will wear the middle at a much higher rate than the rest of the tire. Thanks for all the knowledge you all share with us, It is appreciated. :)

[@ShockTherapyllc]

We run high pressures to save the wheel from damage hitting things at high speed. For your use I think you can drop it down a bit to save wear on the street buoy may have to test it a bit. Down 2 lbs at a time till you like it. Good luck

[@SpeeeedyG]

Krx stock maxxis carnivores what do y’all recommend for tire pressures? Factory says 12 front 17 rear which is strange. Used to all corners having the same pressure

[@ShockTherapyllc]

We run 13-14 psi when trail riding and 18 when running faster desert. We run 24 with a 33" Tensor and running it as hard as we possibly can.

[@WeekendWarriors87]

Would you say the same applies to utility ATVs? I have a can am renegade and run the recommended 7 psi, but after watching this I am debating running closer to 10

[@ShockTherapyllc]

Absolutely. Remember that pressure can be personal. Your style of driving and where you drive. If you don’t get flats or bottom out a lot then leave it.

[@WeekendWarriors87]

@@ShockTherapyllc Thank you for the reply. I have not noticed bottoming and have not gotten a flat, but I might hook up my gopro and watch in slow motion to see if I would benefit from increasing the pressure. You guys provide great information on this channel!

[@ShockTherapyllc]

@@WeekendWarriors87 thank you. Glad to help!

[@keshajohnson4403]

I run 20lbs

[@jayjobes5344]

According to Boyle's gas law, and my 20 year experience designing and building tire pressure monitoring systems, there is NO DIFFERENCE in the rate that a tire increases in pressure due to temperature in nitrogen vs just air (which is 79 % nitrogen anyway).

[@ShockTherapyllc]

great input. Thank you

[@jayjobes5344]

@@ShockTherapyllc It is a very commonly believed misconception. We did a lot of testing on straight nitrogen vs. just air and we never saw a difference. Commercial tires raised pressure about 1.5 psi with every 10 degrees in tire temperature change (up or down). Just a bit of trivia, when a tire lists "cold inflation pressure", the industry standard is 65 degrees F. If it is 100 degrees outside, you need to put in 4-5 psi more than what "cold inflation pressure" states in order for it to be accurate.

[@ShockTherapyllc]

@@jayjobes5344 I love trivia. I love engineering. Thank you so much fir your input. I love it. Bring more advice in the future. Thank you.

[@coreyjones673]

@@ShockTherapyllc wheel setup on demo vehicle 🤔

[@ShockTherapyllc]

@@coreyjones673 we made the wheels. One off. The paddles are sand tires unlimited 33s

[@josephoverstreet5584]

What about with the pro xp calling for 10psi on the front and 20 in the rear. Would you run more in the front?

[@ShockTherapyllc]

I would even them up. That’s to pass the J turn test for government.

[@josephoverstreet5584]

@@ShockTherapyllc okay awesome. I will do that. Also on walkers, do you keep the settings the same on the front and the rear or should they differ

[@ShockTherapyllc]

@@josephoverstreet5584 we change them all the time. If you by yourself you may have more in the front than the rear. Just depends on you and your driving style.

[@nickm5278]

Looks like the rear end and bottom of the chassis has a reinforcement plate. Who makes that?

[@ShockTherapyllc]

The plate welded to the frame is TMW. The radius rod pull plate is Geiser and the floor or skid plate is stock

[@nickm5278]

@@ShockTherapyllc I just checked TMWoffroad.com and I can't find the welded plate. Can you please share a link?

[@ShockTherapyllc]

@@nickm5278 My bad. It was actually Lonestar racing. if they don't make them any more then I don't have any other options.

[@nickm5278]

@@ShockTherapyllc Thanks for the quick reply! Found it.

[@mikemiller9119]

Am I the only one that hears the pervert breathing in the video?

[@jadoctor]

FB is done...Chase knows. CIA....he knows all.

[@samuelcinq2258]

Are 32” paddles too big for an x3

[@ShockTherapyllc]

Nope. We run 33s