Tyre Pressure for Gibb River Rd

Hi Tony,

To get a reasonable answer or advice please advise if you are going to be heavily loaded and or if you are towing as well - these points can make a big difference to the answers you get.

cheers

There are different opinions out there, but when we did the Gibb last year we were told by a wheel alignment expert at Derby to lower our pressures. But he also said to make sure we slow down on the creeks and dips as that is where most punctures occur. He also said the worst time for tyre punctures on the Gibb is straight after they have graded the road as there are sharp rocks exposed. We usually run about 38 to 40 and I lowered them to about 28. (We carry a fair bit of weight in the back of our 200 series.) The tyre repairer at Drysdale Station also said to lower the pressures. Overall we found the Gibb in good condition until the El Questro Station turnoff, when travelling from Derby. If you are coming from Kununurra then once you get past the El Questro turnoff you should know the worst is behind you. We had our camper trailer with us and the worst part of that section were the caravans. They were travelling very slowly and it was very difficult to get past them. Kevin

Ive traveled the GRR 11 times in 23 years. In some years ill do it both ways on the same trip. My hilux ute is full of camping gear, ( weighs 2.5 tonne loaded) and ive NEVER lowered tyre pressure and never had a puncture. I keep them at Hwy pressure 38psi. Ive traveled it straight after the graders have started grading and late in the season. Like the other people here have answered, you will get differing opinions.

28 front, 32 rear, take it very easy where required, dodge the nastier stones and the BFG's will most likely reward you :-o)......that plan has served me well to date. As mentioned, eastern end of the Gibb is often bad, but the rest commonly ranges from ok to very good.

Tony,

I don't know the condition of the Gibb River Rd. Have never been there so to give you a specific answer would be presumptious. But I have travelled many parts of this country and after getting it wrong many times I came up with a system that works.

Starting with my highway pressures I reduce pressure by 25% for each change in road conditions and I have four broad categories of road.

In my case I start at 40psi on the highway when I go from:
sealed road to good unsealed road I drop 25% ie. down to 30psi.
good unsealed to good fire trail or poor unsealed down 25% to 23psi
fire trail/poor unsealed to beach or desert sand down 25% to 18psi

This is a guide not a rule and only provides a starting point. Sometimes the sand is softer than I thought so on occasion the 18psi for desert sand has become as low as 13psi. The other thing to remember is that when you drop your tyre pressure you drop your speed by about the same amount ie. 25%.

It has worked for me for a long time with different roads and different tyres.

Good luck.
Duncs

I did the Gibb in 2006 in my 2005 Cruiser TD towing a Tvan, I ran 20 in the fronts 26 in the rears and 18 on the trailer did not have any problems and the ride was good.

We ran 25 psi cold all round, with a fairly heavy F250 and Bushtracker caravan. No tyre problems experienced. We ran 27 psi on the Tanami, and i think we would have been better to run 25 psi there too.

Motherhen

Greetings Tony

Did the GRR last August in the same rig as yours and the same tyres towing an off road camper trailer.

We adjusted as we went but generally at 24 front, 28 rear and 28 on the camper with no issues.

Enjoy your trip - cheers.

SCOEY

Some years ago i was talking to a friend who works for Western Power who had traveled the GRR many times for work. He had had many tire problems in the troopies he drove and while having tyres replaced one time, was talking to an old timer about the subject. The guy told him to run with 50psi and that would solve his problem. He took the advice and never had another problem.
I have never done the GRR myself so cannot comment from personal experience.

Did the GRR with 22 front, 26 rear.
No dramas, but kept speed down to approx 70 km/hr
and please steer around rocks on the road.

It's magnificent up there, cant wait to get back

Cheers
Bucky

Did this trip a few years ago in heavy loaded TD 100. Set off with lower tyre pressures about 28 kpi and when we went down to Fitzroy river the road was very rocky with lots of sharp stones. Speared the side wall with a sharp rock. Was running cooper ATs. Brand new tyre.
Called in to the tyre place at Fitzroy river and was advised to put the pressures up to 50. Went back to Derby and bought a new cooper. Was given the same advice by that tyre fitter as well.
Almost shook the car and occupants to bits. Decided that was to tough on the vehicle so
Rang Cooper distributer and he advised to use the same pressures as on road. Running 38 front and 40 back. Have had no more problems.
Have developed the following guide lines now over many years of all sorts of conditions.
Road pressure for most travel. For Corrigations will drop about 4 kpi. Rocky tracks will keep road pressure unless hilly and rough low speed, then will lower pressure to suit.
Sand down to 18 depending on condition of sand.
Get a good compressor and adjust to conditions.