Mars Caravan Tyre Pressures: Highway vs Gravel vs Sand (Towing & Off-Road)

Tyre Pressures: Highway vs Gravel vs Sand (Practical Starting Points)

Tyre Pressures: Highway vs Gravel vs Sand (Practical Starting Points)

Tyre pressure is one of the easiest ways to improve towing stability and reduce damage off-road. The “right” pressure depends on load, tyre type, speed, and terrain — but the principles are simple.

Important: Always follow tyre and wheel ratings, and reduce speed when reducing pressure.

The big idea

  • Higher pressures suit sealed roads and lower rolling resistance
  • Lower pressures can improve traction and reduce harsh impacts on corrugations
  • Lower pressure + high speed = heat build-up and tyre damage risk

Practical starting points (adjust to your setup)

Use these as general starting points only — then adjust based on tyre wear, stability, and load. If you’re unsure, consult a tyre professional for your specific tyre size/load rating.

Highway / sealed roads

  • Run pressures suitable for your load and tyre rating.
  • If you feel sway or instability, check loading and ball weight first.

Gravel / corrugations

  • Reducing pressure can help tyres absorb vibration and reduce impacts.
  • Reduce speed to match pressure and conditions.
  • Stop periodically to check tyre temperature and condition.

Sand

  • Lower pressure increases the tyre footprint and helps flotation.
  • Drive smoothly: avoid aggressive steering and harsh braking.
  • Reinflate before returning to higher-speed roads.

Heat checks: your best safety tool

Heat kills tyres. During travel (especially gravel/corrugations), stop and check:

  • Tyre sidewall temperature (should not be excessively hot)
  • Uneven heat across tyres (can indicate pressure or alignment issues)
  • Visible damage: cuts, bulges, cords, sidewall cracking

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Dropping pressure but maintaining high highway speeds
  • Not reinflating after sand/gravel sections
  • Ignoring tyre load ratings
  • Not checking spare tyre condition and pressure
  • Not carrying a reliable gauge and compressor

When to stop and seek help

  • Tyres are repeatedly overheating
  • You notice bulges, sidewall damage, or cords visible
  • Wheels/hubs show abnormal heat
  • Persistent sway/instability even after loading checks

Next in this series: Sway — Why It Happens, What To Do Immediately, How To Prevent It

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