Blowing out your tires can be one of the most dangerous things that can happen while you are on the road in an RV, especially if you are towing a trailer behind you. Not only will it put you and your passengers in serious danger, but it also puts other drivers and passengers on the road in danger of being hit by your veering RV or trailer if you lose control while driving.
There are several measures that you can take to help reduce the chances of this happening. Here are 5 tips to help keep your RV tires from blowing out, making your time on the road in your RV safer and more comfortable for everyone!
5 Tips to Keep Your RV Tires from Blowing Out
1) Use the right tire pressure
Tire pressure is important for the safety and handling of your vehicle. The recommended tire pressure for most vehicles is between 32-36 PSI. If you’re driving an RV with a trailer, the tires on the trailer should be 10 PSI higher than those on the tow vehicle.
It’s also important that you check your tire pressure at least once a month, and more often during hot weather or when traveling off-road (where the tires are more likely to get damaged). Keep in mind that tires lose air gradually over time, so even if you don’t drive very much, it’s still necessary to check them periodically.
2) Check tire pressure regularly
The most important tip is to check your tire pressure regularly. This will help you avoid slow leaks that can turn into blowouts. Regularly checking your tires will also help you identify any other issues with the tires and the alignment of the vehicle.
Checking your tire pressure should be done at least once a week and if you’re going on a long trip, it should be done every day for peace of mind. You can check your tire pressure by using a tire gauge (normally included in an emergency roadside kit) or using air pump. The air pump is easier to use but if it’s not working well, then use the tire gauge as it works more accurately and won’t put as much stress on the valve stem as pumping does.
3) Don’t drive with low pressure
It’s important to check the pressure in your tires before you head out on a road trip. A low tire can cause the tire bead and wheel assembly to separate, which can result in a blowout. Low pressure also causes excessive heat and even rim damage, which can lead to an accident. Checking your tire pressure at least once per month is recommended.
To find the right psi for your tires, look on your door jamb or inside your driver side door for the manufacturer’s specifications. There should be a sticker that lists what size, brand and type of tire you have installed on each wheel and what the maximum psi is for each tire.
4) Don’t drive on damaged tires
Don’t drive on a damaged tire. Even if it seems that the damage is minimal, you should still have it fixed. Driving on a damaged tire can cause the metal rim of the wheel to poke through and puncture the inside of your tire. A blowout is more likely to occur because there is no rubber for traction between the metal and pavement.
Blowouts can be very dangerous and cause drivers to lose control of their vehicle. It is not worth risking life and limb just because you don’t want to spend money on new tires.
5) Replace worn tires
The most important maintenance routine you can do for your tires is to inspect them regularly and replace them before they get too worn. A tire that is severely under-inflated or has a puncture in it can cause the tire pressure inside the tire to drop below 25 psi, which will cause a blowout.
Inspecting your tires on a regular basis and making sure you keep them inflated will help reduce the risk of a blowout.
Conclusion
So here’s the rundown on how to prevent your tires from blowing out. It starts with checking your tire pressure every time you fill up, and then maintaining that pressure between each stop. Get in the habit of doing this by keeping a tire gauge on board, and if it’s reading low when you check it, add air right away.
If your tires are showing signs of wear or damage, replace them before they blow out. Finally, don’t forget about the spare! The last thing you want is get a flat on the road, only to have no way to fix it.