Airing Down

[Bob La Londe]

The other day I went out to rescue somebody stuck in the sand. I didn't
of it out of the goodness of my heart. I was headed out to the shop to
work... and I didn't want to when I saw their post on a local fishing
group on social media.

You can read about it if you want to here, but that's not the point of
my post: https://www.tacklemaker.info/index.php?board=12.0

At one point I agreed grudgingly to try a pull from the top of a sand
dune with my 3/4 ton truck, because it was probably the best angle to
get the guy back on the road. I knew I should air down, but I figured I
could make a speed run to the top of the hill with out doing so just to
check it out. Plus I didn't want to. Airing down 37 11.7 tires takes a
while. (I think that's old school size. I know they are 11.7 anyway.)

I bounced up to the top of the sand dune, decided it was to soft, and
buried it as I tried to back off.

The guy I was helping jacked up the truck and filled in the holes while
I aired down. It took substantially longer to air down the tires to 12
PIS (my ideal sand pressure) than it did for him to jack up all 4
corners of the truck one at a time, shovel sand in the holes, and give
me a nice flat run to back out.

I was wondering if there might be a simple screw on regulator I could
preset to desired air down pressure screw one onto each valve stem, and
sit in air conditioned cab of the truck to sip a water while I waited.
If there isn't one, just how hard would it be to make one? Well four...
well eight. I'd like a set in the Jeep too.

For those who want to know how it went without reading my adventure
story at the link above. With the tires aired down I made about 10-12
slingshot pulls with recovery straps from th top of the sand dune, only
stopping when my truck stopped moving as it started to bury itself.
With aired down ties the truck drove right out of its own holes every
time. I took the 3/4 ton crew cab diesel 4x4 instead of the Jeep,
because I figured mass was better than flotation for doing a recovery.
It was.

[Bob La Londe]

The other day I went out to rescue somebody stuck in the sand.  I didn't
of it out of the goodness of my heart.  I was headed out to the shop to
work... and I didn't want to when I saw their post on a local fishing
group on social media.
You can read about it if you want to here, but that's not the point of
my post:  https://www.tacklemaker.info/index.php?board=12.0
At one point I agreed grudgingly to try a pull from the top of a sand
dune with my 3/4 ton truck, because it was probably the best angle to
get the guy back on the road.  I knew I should air down, but I figured I
could make a speed run to the top of the hill with out doing so just to
check it out.  Plus I didn't want to.  Airing down 37 11.7 tires takes a
while.  (I think that's old school size.  I know they are 11.7 anyway.)
I bounced up to the top of the sand dune, decided it was to soft, and
buried it as I tried to back off.
The guy I was helping jacked up the truck and filled in the holes while
I aired down.  It took substantially longer to air down the tires to 12
PIS (my ideal sand pressure) than it did for him to jack up all 4
corners of the truck one at a time, shovel sand in the holes, and give
me a nice flat run to back out.
I was wondering if there might be a simple screw on regulator I could
preset to desired air down pressure screw one onto each valve stem, and
sit in air conditioned cab of the truck to sip a water while I waited.
If there isn't one, just how hard would it be to make one?  Well four...
well eight.  I'd like a set in the Jeep too.
For those who want to know how it went without reading my adventure
story at the link above.  With the tires aired down I made about 10-12
slingshot pulls with recovery straps from th top of the sand dune, only
stopping when my truck stopped moving as it started to bury itself. With
aired down ties the truck drove right out of its own holes every time.
I took the 3/4 ton crew cab diesel 4x4 instead of the Jeep, because I
figured mass was better than flotation for doing a recovery. It was.

... and there are. I just had to look. LOL.
--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff

[Jim Wilkins]

"Bob La Londe" wrote in message news:v3ksno$3vlg0$***@dont-email.me...

The other day I went out to rescue somebody stuck in the sand.

---------------------------

I did all my off road playing on a dirt bike I could (and often did)
manhandle out of mudholes.

An uncle in Colorado showed me how he had modified an old A/C compressor
pump into an engine driven air pump to reinflate the tires.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/car-a-c-compressor-used-as-an-air-compressor.361016/

"A car compressor like an old York used on AMCs, Fords, etc. are piston
positive displacement pumps with a sump containing oil. They will work as an
air compressor. Newer swash plate type compressors or rotary compressors
circulate oil and are not as good as an air compressor."

If you put tire valve male and female fittings on an air hose you could
deflate and reinflate from inside the cab. The thread is close enough to
5/16-32, a standard if uncommon tap size.

You are suggesting a pressure relief valve. I suspect a commercial valve
would need the spring changed to a softer one to make adjustment less fussy.
They aren't hard to make, the used control valve I bought for my tractor
bucket loader had a fixed setting relief that I modified to be
user-adjustable according to an added gauge. The actuator plunger consisted
of a tap bolt with the hex head turned round and grooved for an O ring,
which sealed the low pressure drain side. It compresses a spring that
presses the original valve disk against the orifice. Originally the relief
pressure had been set with shims.

Usually I make thumbscrews and control knobs from knurled aluminum. Recently
I tried knurling acetal which turned out very well, clean and sharp.

I mentioned converting a pull ring pressure relief to a cam handle. The cam
lever is a sheet aluminum rectangle bent into a channel over stock a little
thicker than the valve stem diameter, and mostly filed to a rounded cam
profile to lift the valve and hold it open.

[Snag]

Post by Bob La Londe
The other day I went out to rescue somebody stuck in the sand.
---------------------------
I did all my off road playing on a dirt bike I could (and often did)
manhandle out of mudholes.
An uncle in Colorado showed me how he had modified an old A/C compressor
pump into an engine driven air pump to reinflate the tires.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/car-a-c-compressor-used-as-an-air-compressor.361016/
"A car compressor like an old York used on AMCs, Fords, etc. are piston
positive displacement pumps with a sump containing oil. They will work
as an air compressor. Newer swash plate type compressors or rotary
compressors circulate oil and are not as good as an air compressor."
If you put tire valve male and female fittings on an air hose you could
deflate and reinflate from inside the cab. The thread is close enough to
5/16-32, a standard if uncommon tap size.
You are suggesting a pressure relief valve. I suspect a commercial valve
would need the spring changed to a softer one to make adjustment less
fussy. They aren't hard to make, the used control valve I bought for my
tractor bucket loader had a fixed setting relief that I modified to be
user-adjustable according to an added gauge. The actuator plunger
consisted of a tap bolt with the hex head turned round and grooved for
an O ring, which sealed the low pressure drain side. It compresses a
spring that presses the original valve disk against the orifice.
Originally the relief pressure had been set with shims.
Usually I make thumbscrews and control knobs from knurled aluminum.
Recently I tried knurling acetal which turned out very well, clean and
sharp.
I mentioned converting a pull ring pressure relief to a cam handle. The
cam lever is a sheet aluminum rectangle bent into a channel over stock a
little thicker than the valve stem diameter, and mostly filed to a
rounded cam profile to lift the valve and hold it open.

This is the kind of stuff that made the USA great !

[Jim Wilkins]

Post by Jim Wilkins
I mentioned converting a pull ring pressure relief to a cam handle. The
cam lever is a sheet aluminum rectangle bent into a channel over stock a
little thicker than the valve stem diameter, and mostly filed to a rounded
cam profile to lift the valve and hold it open.

This is the kind of stuff that made the USA great !

[Bob La Londe]

Post by Bob La Londe
The other day I went out to rescue somebody stuck in the sand.
---------------------------
I did all my off road playing on a dirt bike I could (and often did)
manhandle out of mudholes.
An uncle in Colorado showed me how he had modified an old A/C compressor
pump into an engine driven air pump to reinflate the tires.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/car-a-c-compressor-used-as-an-air-compressor.361016/
"A car compressor like an old York used on AMCs, Fords, etc. are piston
positive displacement pumps with a sump containing oil. They will work
as an air compressor. Newer swash plate type compressors or rotary
compressors circulate oil and are not as good as an air compressor."
If you put tire valve male and female fittings on an air hose you could
deflate and reinflate from inside the cab. The thread is close enough to
5/16-32, a standard if uncommon tap size.
You are suggesting a pressure relief valve. I suspect a commercial valve
would need the spring changed to a softer one to make adjustment less
fussy. They aren't hard to make, the used control valve I bought for my
tractor bucket loader had a fixed setting relief that I modified to be
user-adjustable according to an added gauge. The actuator plunger
consisted of a tap bolt with the hex head turned round and grooved for
an O ring, which sealed the low pressure drain side. It compresses a
spring that presses the original valve disk against the orifice.
Originally the relief pressure had been set with shims.
Usually I make thumbscrews and control knobs from knurled aluminum.
Recently I tried knurling acetal which turned out very well, clean and
sharp.
I mentioned converting a pull ring pressure relief to a cam handle. The
cam lever is a sheet aluminum rectangle bent into a channel over stock a
little thicker than the valve stem diameter, and mostly filed to a
rounded cam profile to lift the valve and hold it open.

No, this is a "simple" pressure let off regulator. You set the desired
pressure, screw it on to the valve stem, and go sit in the air
conditioned cab of the truck sipping on a cold water while your tires
flatten to sand running pressure.



More like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016ILINO4?ref=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_apin_dp_06AR55XD3HSPS958482R&ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_apin_dp_06AR55XD3HSPS958482R&social_share=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_apin_dp_06AR55XD3HSPS958482R&starsLeft=1&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0kl3Z6d89F5TVdWLixJE1l19s_GCHnOEw4TK_pj3kLvf_5ZJZthPOeHv0_aem_Ab3I6Qbo2C6PoOKrPiH2XXickK33aX97ZtLKs3TVcn7rWynoy-mjolR3Y-_CO6vJVxVzGTxPxdYSCEvTUrA_vXQk&th=1


Or like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Australian-Original-Deflator-Staunies-Automatically/dp/B00QBPBLWY/ref=asc_df_B00QBPBLWY?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80814156492541&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584413744788973&psc=1

[Jim Wilkins]

"Bob La Londe" wrote in message news:v3lg9v$2qgm$***@dont-email.me...

I was wondering if there might be a simple screw on regulator I could
preset to desired air down pressure screw one onto each valve stem, and
sit in air conditioned cab of the truck to sip a water while I waited.
If there isn't one, just how hard would it be to make one? Well four...
well eight. I'd like a set in the Jeep too.
////////////////////
More like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016ILINO4?ref=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_apin_dp_06AR55XD3HSPS958482R&ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_apin_dp_06AR55XD3HSPS958482R&social_share=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_apin_dp_06AR55XD3HSPS958482R&starsLeft=1&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0kl3Z6d89F5TVdWLixJE1l19s_GCHnOEw4TK_pj3kLvf_5ZJZthPOeHv0_aem_Ab3I6Qbo2C6PoOKrPiH2XXickK33aX97ZtLKs3TVcn7rWynoy-mjolR3Y-_CO6vJVxVzGTxPxdYSCEvTUrA_vXQk&th=1

Or like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Australian-Original-Deflator-Staunies-Automatically/dp/B00QBPBLWY/ref=asc_df_B00QBPBLWY?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80814156492541&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584413744788973&psc=1

Bob La Londe

------------------------
Good, you found your answer.

And prompted me to find a right angle tire valve extension, instead of
making one.

[Richard Smith]

Hi all

Back in about February I pulled some folk out of where they had sunk
into the grass. Has rained so much here and we had no clearly
identifiable Spring.
Was funny walking along inventing a "Wurzels like" song about taking my
rope for a walk (cider-drinking world - including famous "I am a cider
drinker" song).
Want to find a light block can attach to vehicle being towed, end of
rope to fixed object, so getting 2:1 advantage with rope attached to
towing-point of towing car.
Only had 1:1 then - but mercifully I had a long coil of rope so I could
tow from the tarmac some distance away.

Was at an event where the booked venue had fallen-through and an
enterprise at an airfield had stepped in - bless them.

Rich S

[Bob La Londe]

Post by Richard Smith
Hi all
Back in about February I pulled some folk out of where they had sunk
into the grass. Has rained so much here and we had no clearly
identifiable Spring.
Was funny walking along inventing a "Wurzels like" song about taking my
rope for a walk (cider-drinking world - including famous "I am a cider
drinker" song).
Want to find a light block can attach to vehicle being towed, end of
rope to fixed object, so getting 2:1 advantage with rope attached to
towing-point of towing car.
Only had 1:1 then - but mercifully I had a long coil of rope so I could
tow from the tarmac some distance away.
Was at an event where the booked venue had fallen-through and an
enterprise at an airfield had stepped in - bless them.
Rich S

As a designer from Bulgaria I sometimes work with told me, "The more off
road capable is your truck the further you need to walk to find a
tractor." I guess rednecks are the same all over the world.

Glad you were able to get them out.

On my recent recovery effort, after airing down, I used four recovery
straps linked together with soft shackles to slam them out and back onto
the road with my truck about 2-3 feet at a time. I was rather proud of
my heavy Chevy and how it managed the sand after I aired down. I never
really used that technique before (shock loading recovery straps), but
it was uphill, sideways, in bottomless dry river sand. On "level"
ground I can usually just pull somebody straight out with steady
pressure. I rather learned a bit from the experience and I like to
think I am a fairly experienced desert/offroad driver. I did have a 120
winch cable and another 400-500 feet of heavy nylon rope, but I'd never
have recovered them that way.

Sometime I'll tell the story of the night I caught 21 fox in 18 traps...
and why I was able to do that.

[pyotr filipivich]

Post by Bob La Londe
As a designer from Bulgaria I sometimes work with told me, "The more off
road capable is your truck the further you need to walk to find a
tractor." I guess rednecks are the same all over the world.

Friends comment is "4x4 just means a longer walk once you're
stuck."

[Snag]

Post by pyotr filipivich

Post by Bob La Londe
As a designer from Bulgaria I sometimes work with told me, "The more off
road capable is your truck the further you need to walk to find a
tractor." I guess rednecks are the same all over the world.

Friends comment is "4x4 just means a longer walk once you're
stuck."

My idea of 4 wheelin' is to go in 2 wheel drive until you get stuck .
Put it in 4 wheel and get unstuck and go home . We have a 4 wheel drive
and chains because without we could end up stuck down here unable to get
out in an emergency in winter . I haven't needed the chains yet .

[Jim Wilkins]

"Snag" wrote in message news:v48f1p$s3h2$***@dont-email.me...

My idea of 4 wheelin' is to go in 2 wheel drive until you get stuck .
Put it in 4 wheel and get unstuck and go home . We have a 4 wheel drive
and chains because without we could end up stuck down here unable to get
out in an emergency in winter . I haven't needed the chains yet .
--
Snag
It's great to be straight !
--------------------------------
Here in New England there's no lack of mud and boulders, but the most
challenging off-roading can be driving home from work an inch or two -above-
the pavement during an ice storm. Traffic almost never completely disappears
and the few times it did a friend and I would slide around on the iced roads
on our dirt bikes. The nearly empty roads became playgrounds for drivers
with vehicles that could handle them, mainly small foreign cars capable of
controlled sliding. Full time all wheel drive is somewhat disappointing
because it doesn't allow locking only the rear axle with the handbrake to
enter a spin or a J (bootlegger) turn. I could spin and recover my Ranger on
ice though I didn't see much stunting with full sized trucks.

[pyotr filipivich]

Post by Jim Wilkins
Here in New England there's no lack of mud and boulders, but the most
challenging off-roading can be driving home from work an inch or two -above-
the pavement during an ice storm. Traffic almost never completely disappears
and the few times it did a friend and I would slide around on the iced roads
on our dirt bikes. The nearly empty roads became playgrounds for drivers
with vehicles that could handle them, mainly small foreign cars capable of
controlled sliding. Full time all wheel drive is somewhat disappointing
because it doesn't allow locking only the rear axle with the handbrake to
enter a spin or a J (bootlegger) turn. I could spin and recover my Ranger on
ice though I didn't see much stunting with full sized trucks.

At the cost of trucks these days ... no surprise.

[Bob La Londe]

Post by pyotr filipivich

Post by Jim Wilkins
Here in New England there's no lack of mud and boulders, but the most
challenging off-roading can be driving home from work an inch or two -above-
the pavement during an ice storm. Traffic almost never completely disappears
and the few times it did a friend and I would slide around on the iced roads
on our dirt bikes. The nearly empty roads became playgrounds for drivers
with vehicles that could handle them, mainly small foreign cars capable of
controlled sliding. Full time all wheel drive is somewhat disappointing
because it doesn't allow locking only the rear axle with the handbrake to
enter a spin or a J (bootlegger) turn. I could spin and recover my Ranger on
ice though I didn't see much stunting with full sized trucks.

At the cost of trucks these days ... no surprise.

... and yet the money some folks spend on their off road rigs just to go
out and try the hardest trails and beat them up is crazy.

[Jim Wilkins]

... and yet the money some folks spend on their off road rigs just to go
out and try the hardest trails and beat them up is crazy.

Bob La Londe
----------------------------------------
The craziest vehicle misuse I've watched was snowmobiles on water. Powerful
ones can stay on plane at sufficient speed but none turn very well.
Surprisingly the failures could eventually be started again after being
dragged out of the water.

[Bob La Londe]

Post by Bob La Londe
... and yet the money some folks spend on their off road rigs just to go
out and try the hardest trails and beat them up is crazy.
Bob La Londe
----------------------------------------
The craziest vehicle misuse I've watched was snowmobiles on water.
Powerful ones can stay on plane at sufficient speed but none turn very
well. Surprisingly the failures could eventually be started again after
being dragged out of the water.

I think the biggest reason snowmobiles manage to "ski" on water so well
is not just the ski, but also the track can get a grip on the water to
keep it going fast enough.

I seem to recall dirt bikes with some types of tires can also
hydroplane/ski across water, and I think Mythbusters did some short
tests with cars.

If you lose "traction" and slow down its all over.

You do the same thing with a fast (ish) boat, but you have the advantage
of floating when you fall off plane in most boats. LOL.

[Jim Wilkins]

"Bob La Londe" wrote in message news:v4d79f$1s32r$***@dont-email.me...

I seem to recall dirt bikes with some types of tires can also
hydroplane/ski across water, and I think Mythbusters did some short
tests with cars.

------------------------------
I helped rescue a VW Beetle floating in a pond in a sandpit. The water line
was almost at the top of the rear fender opening. We were on dirt bikes
without much equipment, fortunately someone had line to pull it to shore and
the VW didn't weigh much.

I skidded my VW off an icy road in the Black Forest while trying to slow
down at a garage. The husky owner came out and lifted the rear end back onto
the pavement by himself, then sold me tires.

[pyotr filipivich]

Post by Snag

Post by pyotr filipivich

Post by Bob La Londe
As a designer from Bulgaria I sometimes work with told me, "The more off
road capable is your truck the further you need to walk to find a
tractor." I guess rednecks are the same all over the world.

Friends comment is "4x4 just means a longer walk once you're
stuck."

My idea of 4 wheelin' is to go in 2 wheel drive until you get stuck .
Put it in 4 wheel and get unstuck and go home . We have a 4 wheel drive
and chains because without we could end up stuck down here unable to get
out in an emergency in winter . I haven't needed the chains yet .

Smart.

[Clare Snyder]

On Wed, 12 Jun 2024 11:14:33 -0700, pyotr filipivich

Post by pyotr filipivich

Post by Snag

Post by pyotr filipivich

Post by Bob La Londe
As a designer from Bulgaria I sometimes work with told me, "The more off
road capable is your truck the further you need to walk to find a
tractor." I guess rednecks are the same all over the world.

Friends comment is "4x4 just means a longer walk once you're
stuck."

My idea of 4 wheelin' is to go in 2 wheel drive until you get stuck .
Put it in 4 wheel and get unstuck and go home . We have a 4 wheel drive
and chains because without we could end up stuck down here unable to get
out in an emergency in winter . I haven't needed the chains yet .

Smart.

We used to say 4wd just means you need to carry a longer chain - or it
just gets you stuch THAT MUCH farther from help