Buggy Tyre Pressures

When I first bought my buggy, I asked the previous owner what tyre pressures do you use. “Oh, the normal Beetle ones, 19 front & 27 rear”. I ran with these for a year or so, and just accepted that the hard & bumpy ride was another joyful reason for having a buggy….as well as the draft up your legs from the bulkhead (stick a large piece of sponge under it). After joining the London Buggy Club back in the 80’s, I was able to find out more by discussing ideas with fellow members. I was then advised to run with much lower pressures. When you think of it, removing a Beetle body at around 800lbs makes a much lighter vehicle. I find about 10lbs front and 14lbs rear works about right for me on the street. This results in dampening of a jarring ride and gives added traction on the roads. When I drive my mate’s Manx buggy in the Californian desert, tyre pressures on the sand are best about 5 front and 8 rear to give a larger footprint on the ground. Off-road we use 7lbs front & 11 rear. Lowering tyre pressures on your buggy is quite OK because they’re so over-engineered for such a lightweight car. Those in the know will purchase for the lightest weight, most flexible tyres, which are usually radials; along with lightweight aluminium wheels.