Death valley & Racetrack Playa tire pressure question?

[Dancam]

Planning a 4 day Memorial trip to Death valley & Racetrack Playa . What pressure should I run and what mode should I be in? should I stay in 4h ? I'll have 800 - 1k lbs load in track cab (4 adults with minimal camping gear)

 

[GordoJay]

Planning a 4 day Memorial trip to Death valley & Racetrack Playa . What pressure should I run and what mode should I be in? should I stay in 4h ? I'll have 800 - 1k lbs load in track cab (4 adults with minimal camping gear)

With that much weight I usually run 38 all around. If things get sketchy, you can always air down. I drove out there back in the eighties and the road was easy. I don't think I used 4WD. That could have changed, so hopefully someone here has been out there recently.

Edit to add: I'd use mud/sand mode and turn the locker off. Paddle shifter and manual if you don't like how the tranny chooses gears.

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

havent been down there for a few years, but i never aired down for tbe dirt roads out there. you could drop a few psi if you are going to be on some of the rocky stuff

 

[Clockton]

Normal Offroad setup. Baja mode under 25psi

 

[jondle]

I'm with @Clockton. ~25'ish lbs, Baja mode, 2x4. 4x4 is only for getting unstuck. 4A is not good off-road because a lot of times you want the rear to break loose to turn the truck.

Disclaimer: I think the most fun I have is sliding sideways.

 

[RaptorRnr]

I haven't done Death Valley yet but did do Hungry Valley off the Grapevine. I didn't have to air down at all. I left it in Sport Mode with traction control off to slide the rear end out. Lotso pin stripes on that trip.

Just this weekend we did the Pismo Beach dunes. I was lazy and didn't air down and got stuck. Airing down I was able to recover and then helped three other vehicles after enjoying the dunes. I was at 24 psi. A local made a comment that the lack of rain in California has made the sand much less compacted. So you may have a different experience than others have in recent years. Beach sand is completely different, of course. Traction boards, a shovel, shackles and tow strap are always a good idea. Typically, it's to help others out if you're not lazy like me.

 

[Hdscreens]

I aired down to 28 psi with 2x4 Baja on dirt roads when blasting thru there, normal mode when regular driving and 4x4 lockers on rock crawling thru Lippincott rd. Racetrack valley rd will be a rough stretch so be sure things are secured on bed which might be good idea to drop to 25 psi as others suggested. It’s highly possible some of your passengers will be pissed off a couple hours into it. Some spots you may doubt the truck can even make it but it is very capable.