One of the most important components of your RV and probably the most neglected are your RV tires. We all tend to take tires for granted. You know what I mean when was the last time you checked the inflation pressure in your tires?

The two leading causes for tire failure are over inflated tires and under inflated tires. Let’s take a look at some simple things we can do to prevent tire failure on our RV tires.

Ideally you should check tire inflation, and adjust it if required, every day that you drive or tow your RV. Use a quality inflation pressure gauge to check tire pressure. Inflate tire pressure to the tire manufacturers recommended pressure, or according to the federal data plate on the RV. Always check and inflate tire pressure when tires are cold, before traveling. Hot air expands and will give you a false reading.

RV 101 Tip: Try to find a tire pressure gauge that can read double what the inflation pressure is set at. This isn’t always possible, especially with tires inflated to 100 psi, so find a gauge rated for high pressure, like 160 psi.

If you have dual wheels, you should have valve extenders installed to make checking tire pressure easier. If the gauge will be used for checking dual wheels on a motorhome the chuck end of the gauge should have a dual foot design to make the job much easier.

Inspect all tires for signs of uneven wear and for checking or cracking on the tire sidewalls. If one tire shows signs of wear faster than another it may be a signal of something other than normal wear. Have it inspected by an authorized tire dealer.

Do not operate the RV with tires that show any signs of damage. Do not overload the tires. Distribute weight evenly throughout the RV. Have your RV weighed when it is fully loaded for travel. It is quite possible to be within all weight ratings and still overload a tire. When you weigh the RV at the scales, weigh each tire position individually, if possible, to verify that a tire is not overloaded. If not, weigh the axles individually. If a tire is overloaded correct the problem immediately.

Keep the tires covered with covers that will block out the sunlight when you’re not using your RV. Ozone in the air causes tires to dry rot and deteriorate. UV rays from the sun make it happen quicker. Tire covers should be made of a material that can block the sun out.

Tires are designed and built to be used. The rubber used in tires ages faster when they are not used, so more use results in longer tire life. The problem is, lots of RV’s don’t get used that often. This faster aging and weather cracking are why some tire manufacturers recommend replacing the tires on RV’s when they are 6 years old, especially if the RV isn’t used that much. If your tires are 6 years old, but still look okay, have the tires inspected by a tire professional.

Have the tires rotated on a regular basis. Follow the tire manufacturer recommendations or talk to your tire dealer about rotation interval.

Happy Camping,
Mark Polk
RV Education 101
http://rveducation101.com/

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