Keeping your Rig Rolling: RV Tires Part 1

01 Thursday Feb 2018

Tags

RV Safety, RV tech tip, RV tech tips, RV Tips, RV tire safety, RV Tires, tech tip, tips, tire care, tire pressure, tire safety, Travel Safety, Travel Tips

RV Tire Safety Motorists often neglect to think about the objects that keep their vehicles rolling down the road in comfort and safety. RV owners are no exception to this rule, and in some cases are less likely to pay attention to the tires on their rigs. Even though tires are definitely not “out of sight”, they do tend to be “out of mind” for many people. Yet, the importance of keeping your RV tires in top shape cannot be overstated.

Tire Considerations

There are three main factors to consider when thinking about tires on any vehicle. These are age, condition, and inflation pressure. For passenger vehicles, tires usually wear out before they age out. In other words, most drivers wear out the tread on their tires before the tires wear out due to age. However, for RVs, the reverse is generally true. Because RV owners, even full-timers, generally put far fewer miles on their rigs than passenger vehicles are subject to, tires on RVs usually get old before the tread wears down. This is a significant point, because even when RV owners have the wherewithal to inspect their tires, they often only pay attention to tread depth and condition, rather than also being aware of the age of the tire.

Tire Life

Depending on the manufacturer, the average recommended life for motorhome tires is seven to ten years, and five years for trailer tires. However, it is important to consult your tire manufacturers website or visit your local tire retailer for specific information. All tires have a date code stamp on the sidewall. The DOT National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires that Tire Identification Numbers (TIN) be a combination of the letters “DOT”, followed by eight to thirteen letters and/or numbers that identify the manufacturing location, tire size, and manufacturers code, along with the week and year the tire was manufactured. Tire manufacturer date

Since 2000, the week and year the tire was manufactured has been identified as the last four digits of the TIN, with the first two of those digits being the week of manufacture, and the last two being the year of manufacture. In the example above, the tire was manufactured in week 51 of 2007.

For tires manufactured prior to 2000, it should be noted that there should not be any tires of this vintage running on RVs today. For these tires, it was assumed at the time that they would not be in service for ten years. While they were required to have the same information as the tires produced today, the week and year the tire was manufactured was contained in the last three digits. The first two digits are the week of manufacture, and the last digit was the year. Tire manufacturer date

In the example above, the tire was manufactured in week 40 of the 8^th year of the decade. In this case, that would be 1998, but unfortunately there is no indicator of which decade the tire was manufactured in. Fortunately, as indicated earlier, there should be no tires of this vintage rolling on RVs today.

Tire Inspection

Experiencing a tire blowout can be a terrifying event, especially on an RV. To minimize the risk of this happening, it is important to regularly inspect your tires, and know the exact manufacture date as indicated by the TIN. During your inspection, check for tire damage, especially to the sidewalls. Look for cuts, gouges, severe scuffing, abrasions, foreign objects embedded in them, etc. Based on information from the manufacturer and/or tire retailer, determine the recommended tire life and replace your tires based on that information.

Next month, I will continue the subject of tires and discuss proper inflation pressure and trailer tires.

About the Author:

Steve Froese, an avid RV owner, traveler, and Coach-Net member since 2013, is the principal of “A Word to the Wise Technical Communications”, a published RV author, certified RV technician, and licensed Professional Engineer. He frequently collaborates with the “RV Doctor”, Gary Bunzer, and has worked with the RVIA/RVDA as a technical and training writer and consultant. Professionally, he works as a quality engineer and musician. Watch for more of Steve’s work in upcoming Coach-Net publications.

Aww Shucks!

Karl P. UT~ “Kurt from Quality Tire was exceptional. He came and pulled both sets of back tires. The inside tires on both sides of our motor home had 0 pressure. Both Valve stems had been damaged for some reason. He replaced the valve stems on both tires, checked and filled all 6 tires to correct pressure. He was a pleasant and pleasurable person to work with. We were called by Coach-Net several times to make sure everything went as it was supposed to. Thank you to all the Coach-Net Representatives and to Kurt from Quality tire. It took something that was a pain and made it a pleasure.”

Tips For A Better Driving Experience – Part 2

18 Thursday May 2017

Posted by Coach-Net in RV Information, RV Safety, Tech Tips

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

RV Life, RV Newbie, RV Safety, RV tech tip, RV tech tips, RV travel, tech tip, tire care, tire pressure, tire safety

Better Driving Experience - Part 2 In Part 1 of this discussion, we outlined getting started, getting acquainted with your rig and making a practice run in a parking lot prior to hitting the road. One of the most essential maintenance items you can conduct for a safe and enjoyable road trip is checking your weight ratings and know proper tire inflation and maintenance.

Weight Ratings

Understanding weight ratings and knowing what your rig, tow vehicle, and towed vehicle actually weigh is essential to prevent excess brake wear, axle problems and tire blowouts!

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

This is the maximum weight your rig can weigh with everything inside going down the road including personal items, propane, water, and people the case of a motorhome. Today’s new RVs have a weight sticker that tells what the rig weighs “dry”, and Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) meaning how much you can put inside before hitting GVWR. Most owners have no idea how much weight they are carrying. They see all the huge compartments and think they can fill them up! Not so. Once you get your rig loaded, take it to a CAT Scale and get it weighed.

CAT Scales are available at most major truck stops like Pilot or Flying J, or visit www.catscale.com and find one near you. For $10 you can use the platforms to put the front wheel on the first platform, back wheels on the second, and towed vehicle on the third. This will not only tell us the GVWR when we add the two axles, it will tell us GAWR as well.

2. Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)

The GVWR is the weight the entire rig can weigh, however, each axle has a weight rating that must not be exceeded as well. Usually, the front axle is the lightest and most abused by RV owners. You should have a data plate inside the vehicle or on the tongue of a trailer with the GVWR and GAWR posted. Trucks, cars and trailers should put the front wheels of the tow vehicle on the first platform, the drive or back axle on the second, and the trailer or 5^th wheel on the third. This will give you axle weights on individual axles and tell you if you might have too much weight on the back end of the tow vehicle. This is a common mistake with 5^th wheel trailers as owners tend to fill the large compartment under the bedroom and put items in the bed of the truck as well.

It is also recommended to have your rig weighed by individual wheel position as some rigs will have over 1000 extra pounds of “accessories” on one side or another. The only way to accomplish this is to have individual platforms such as those provided by The Recreational Vehicle Safety and Education Foundation (RVSEF). Visit their site at: www.rvsafety.com to find weighing locations in your area. RV weighing

Tire Maintenance and Proper Inflation

Tires are the most vulnerable component on our rigs and the most neglected. A small percentage of owners actually know how to determine proper inflation. It’s not the marking on the side of the tire – that’s maximum inflation at maximum weight. If you are not fully loaded to GVWR, your tires will be overinflated and have less tread on the road. The only way to find proper inflation is to weigh the coach which we just talked about and refer to the tire manufacturer’s tire chart.

Once you find the weight on the individual tire, refer to the chart, find the tire size, dual or single application, and the weight. That is the proper tire pressure for your tire! My truck tires are a good example which recommend 61 psi at maximum load. During normal driving I don’t have a truck bed full of dirt or drywall so 61 psi would be overinflated and my truck would ride like Fred Flintstone’s car with rock wheels! I drive with about 35 psi.

Another issue is underinflated tires. If your tires are just 10 psi lower than proper inflation, it reduces carrying capacity by 25%! Your tires should be checked every day you hit the road, not just glanced at or hit with a “trucker’s bat”! Make it part of your pre-trip inspection list or get a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Weather Checking

Check the sidewall of the tire periodically for signs of cracking known as weather checking. Exposure to UV rays will dry out the material and make it crack. If you are letting your rig sit for more than a day exposed to the elements, cover the tires. cover tires

Finally, as you are driving, check the temperature of the tires, the axle, and the brakes. I carry an Infra-red laser temperature tester and when I stop for fuel I test the temperature. It typically will run about 20-30 degrees hotter than ambient temperatures which is normal. However, if I see a spike, then I know something is wrong! Could it be starting to lose pressure and it’s working harder? If the hub is hot, do the bearings on my trailer need to be repacked? If the brake rotor or drum is hotter than normal, are the brakes set too high? Once you get a few readings, you’ll know what is normal and what is excessive. Also, if one side of the rig runs consistently hotter than the other…it’s time to get the coach weighed by individual wheel position as it might be too heavy on that side and everything is working harder. You might need to move some items to the other side. Infra-red laser temperature tester

About the author:

Dave Solberg: Managing Editor, RV Repair Club

For the last 25 years, Dave has conducted RV maintenance and safety seminars, developed dealer and owner training programs, written RV safety and handyman articles, authored an RV handbook reference guide and logged over 100,000 miles on the road in an RV.

RV Repair Club is your go-to online resource for enthusiasts who want quality RV maintenance, repair, and upgrade information – a community where passionate RVers can come together to gather knowledge and share their experiences.

Learn more about RV Repair Club.

Aww Shucks!

Beating the MPG

15 Wednesday Jun 2016

Posted by Coach-Net in Tech Tips

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Fuel Economy, MPG, RV fueling, RV Idling, RV Life, RV Tips, Take it Slower, tire pressure, Travel Safety, Travel Tips

Beating the MPG Even though fuel prices have dropped significantly over the past several years, some RV owners still wonder whether their chosen way of life continues to be affordable. Traveling by RV is a lifestyle choice that is not largely driven by fuel prices, but visiting the pump is a fact of life.

There are a number of things owners of both gas and diesel vehicles can do to combat fuel prices. This is especially important as we head into the summer months; a period of historically higher fuel prices and plenty of travel. Some are fairly widely known, while others require a little more thought. Many drivers, especially those with trailers and motorhomes, are likely aware of some of the ways to improve fuel economy, but they bear repeating here.

One of the best ways to improve fuel economy is to drive slower. As a vehicle increases speed, it takes more energy, and therefore more fuel, to overcome the increasing air resistance. The relationship is approximately three-to-one. What this translates to is that for every 5 m.p.h. over 60 that is driven, the fuel economy drops roughly 8% for an average passenger vehicle. This number is slightly higher for a large gas vehicle, or gas vehicle towing a trailer. It is believed by many that 55 m.p.h. is an appropriate speed to maintain maximum fuel efficiency. This of course depends on the vehicle, but slowing down is a sure way to improve fuel economy. Besides, as RV’ers, we want to slow down and enjoy the sights!

Another sure way to save fuel is to drive shorter distances or spend more time in one place. Why not experience the sights closer to home base rather than heading for your favorite destination out of state? Find a comfortable RV park closer to home and spend some time there.

A lesser recognized method of saving fuel is to ensure correct tire pressure. In my last article I addressed this issue. Don’t carry more weight than necessary or the RV is rated for. Although larger vehicles aren’t as affected by weight, it is still something worth considering. For a medium vehicle pulling a trailer, there is already significant drag due to the weight of the trailer alone. Adding additional weight to the trailer increases the drag, and therefore the fuel consumption.

smoking exhaust Last, but certainly not least, eliminate unnecessary idling. When a vehicle idles, it is getting zero mpg, and it’s bad for the environment. Turn off the engine when stopped or parked.

Although fuel prices have been dropping over the past few years, the cost is still a major contributor to the price of RV travel. RVing continues to be one of the most cost effective and enjoyable forms of travel. According to survey results collected by the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), travel by RV costs a family of 4 between 26% – 71% less than any other form of travel, depending on the size and type of RV used. Also, more than 80% of RV owners report their RV vacations cost less than other methods of vacation.

Survey results indicate that fuel prices would have to increase several times over to make RV travel more expensive than other forms, so don’t let fuel prices temper the excitement and enthusiasm of travelling the scenic highways of North America.

Blush2 Sheryl R. FL~ “This is the first time we used the service and were very impressed with the attentiveness of the rep on the phone, the service of the rep that came to the site and the follow up.”

RV Tire Essentials – Part 2

07 Tuesday Jun 2016

Posted by Coach-Net in RV Information

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

RV Tire Essentials, tire care, tire pressure, tire safety, tire type, trailer sway, Travel Safety

RV Tire Essentials Part 2 If you own a motorhome, you generally don’t have to worry about whether the correct tires are installed on your unit as long as you are having a certified tire shop do the work. However, it is worth mentioning load range ratings. The load range is a measure of the ply rating, indicating the relative strength of the tire plys and therefore how much load the tires can safely carry. The load rating is indicated on the sidewall by a letter, with higher letters indicating a higher load range. When replacing your tires, always make sure the load rating is the same or higher than manufacturers specification. If in doubt, contact a tire center or the RV manufacturer.

Travel Trailer and Jeep Another important metric for trailer owners is tire type. There are distinctly different requirements for the tires on a towable than for the vehicle doing the towing. The towing vehicle requires a lot of traction, so the tires must be designed to allow for grip, acceleration, cornering, and braking. The sidewalls are quite flexible to contribute to passenger comfort.

On the other hand, trailers are followers. For this function, sidewall flexion is undesirable, especially on trailers with high centers of gravity. Flexing of tire sidewalls is a major contributor to trailer sway. Special Trailer (ST) designated tires should always be used on towable RVs. ST tires are constructed of more heavy-duty materials than standard vehicle tires, have much more rigid sidewalls, and operate at higher inflation pressures. These features help prevent sway. Since both ST and Light Truck (LT) tires are fully rated for trailer use, some owners install LT tires on their trailers, as they are often less expensive. I highly recommend using ST tires on all towable units for the reasons specified above.

In addition to ensuring you have the proper tires and correct inflation pressure, make sure you always have an evenly distributed load. This is essential to proper tire and vehicle performance and also contributes greatly to safety. Proper load distribution can help enhance vehicle handling, improve fuel economy, prevent irregular tire wear, maintain braking ability, extend tire life, and protect major RV components from excessive wear.

Speed limit 55 Most motorhome and trailer tires are designed for a maximum speed of 65 mph. Although many people like to travel at speeds higher than this, it is important to bear in mind that fuel economy suffers significantly at speeds above 55 mph, so slow and steady is never a bad thing when it comes to RV travel. Plus, it allows you to enjoy the scenery more.

Perform regular inspection and maintenance on your RV tires. Have your wheels balanced whenever new tires are mounted or moved to a different position, after a flat repair, or anytime a tire is mounted. Have your tires rotated as per manufacturer recommendations. If you notice uneven or abnormal wear of the tire tread, you should have a wheel alignment done. Perform regular visual inspection of the tires and valves and note that, in general, tires should be replaced when they reach five years from manufacture date or the tread depth reaches the manufacturers specified depth, whichever comes first. Since 2000, the manufacture date is stamped on the sidewall as the last four numbers of the data code. The first two numbers are the week of manufacture, and the last two digits are the year. Replacement recommendations are guidelines, but will be affected by temperature, humidity, storage conditions, etc.

About the Author:

Blush2 Tom W. SC~ “I’d give you a +12 if I could. Coach-Net rep Haley and Coach-Net dispatch rep Leonard were great to work. They explained my options and got me the help I needed. ‘Fleet Service Center’ was dispatched to do the work. Their rep (Dave I think) was fantastic. Professional and very skilled. I couldn’t be happier. I will stay with Coach-Net as long as I RV and recommend it to everyone I have a chance to.”

RV Tire Essentials: Part 1

01 Wednesday Jun 2016

Posted by Coach-Net in RV Information

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Basics of Tires, Inflation Pressure, Overinflate, Overloading Tires, Tire Essentials, tire pressure, tire safety, Travel Safety, Underinflate

RV Tire Essentials Part 1 It’s National Tire Safety Week, so this is a good time to discuss the topic of RV tires. Although I am a professional engineer, my area of expertise is not specifically in materials or road safety. I leave the topic of tire theory to Walter Cannon, executive director of the RV Safety Education Foundation (http://www.rvsafety.com). Walter has written many articles and produced many videos on RV tires and safety, and I highly recommend them to anybody who wishes to further educate themselves. This two-part article serves as a general overview of the basics of tires in order that RV owners may understand tire types, inflation pressure, and general use. In part one of this series, I will discuss the important topics of inflation pressure and loading.

Tire Pressure Gauge Many RV drivers believe that it is appropriate to simply air the tires to the inflation pressure shown on the tire or vehicle ID plate. This is a dodgy oversimplification, as the listed pressure is the maximum design inflation pressure for the tire, and may not be a safe pressure for the RV load. The correct way to determine proper air pressure is to weigh the RV at each tire position and note the highest weight borne by each axle. Most tire manufacturers post recommended inflation pressures based on weight on their websites. Use your data to determine the correct inflation pressure for each axle as determined from the manufacturer tables.
Check the air pressure in each tire at least once a month, before each trip, and each morning before you drive. Tire pressure should be checked cold, as pressure ratings have been determined with typical running heat/pressure build-up in mind. Remember to check the air pressures of the inside tires on dual wheels and inflate all duallies on the same axle to the same pressure. Ensure the valves and caps are free of dirt and moisture.

Most people recognize the risks of overinflation, such as chance of blowout and poor tread wear. However, underinflation also carries significant hazards. Underinflation presents a higher chance of damage due to road hazards, reduces casing durability and fuel economy, and results in uneven or irregular tire wear. Additionally, Severe or prolonged underinflation brings about an increased risk of tread separation.

Tire Pressure Indicator RV owners sometimes lower tire pressure in an attempt to create a smoother ride. This is not only dangerous, it’s relatively ineffective, as the difference in ride quality is not significant. When minimum recommended inflation pressures are not maintained, durability and optimum operating conditions for the tires are compromised. Therefore, tire inflation pressure should always meet at least the minimum guidelines for vehicle weight. It’s important to note that if the pressure in any tire drops by more than 20% of recommended inflation pressure, the tire should be professionally inspected before air is added. Personal injury may result from the tire separating from the rim while under pressure. A professional tire shop will use a cage to inflate the tire.

Overloading tires can have serious consequences for passengers and the RV. Too much weight causes stress on the suspension system, brake failure, shock absorber damage, handling and steering problems, irregular tire wear, and possible tire failure. Excessive load or underinflation can lead to an excessive amount of heat buildup, possibly resulting in tire failure. If you find that your tires cannot handle the load, lighten the load or install tires with a higher carrying capacity. Remember to consult your owner’s manual, tire retailer, or RV manufacturer for information concerning selection and installation of new tires.

In next week’s article, I will discuss RV tire types.

About the Author:

Blush

Tire Pressure Monitoring System

20 Wednesday May 2015

Posted by Coach-Net in RV Information, Tips & Tricks

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

RV Tips, tire care, tire pressure, tire pressure monitoring system, TPMS, Travel Safety, Travel Tips

When I owned a large diesel motorhome I wanted to tow my family vehicle behind it. Since I did not own a car that was flat-towable, it was cost-prohibitive and a potentially logistical nightmare to do so. I ultimately purchased a high-quality and relatively inexpensive tow dolly. It was a luxury for us to finally have our car with us on our travels and a treat not to have to tear down the RV every morning.

My Prius and tow dolly together weighed only around 2,000 pounds, and therefore I literally did not notice the small amount of added weight behind the RV. The only way I could tell my car was still there was to look in my backup camera. If a tire blowout occurred on the dolly or toad it would be difficult, if not impossible, for me to recognize it from the driver’s seat or feel it in the handling. Even before I hooked up my dolly for the first time I recognized the importance of installing a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). A tire failure was a highly possible and even likely scenario, since my dolly utilized ten inch wheels, which is very small by towing standards. Aftermarket TPMS systems incorporate small pressure transducers that thread onto the tire valve stems, as well as a receiving unit that is programmed for each transducer. This allows the receiver, mounted near the driver, to communicate tire pressure and temperature data in real time for each sensor location. In my case, I purchased extra sensors and installed one on each tire on the RV and dolly, as well as the rear wheels of the toad. I did not need them on the front tires of my Prius, since they were off the ground on the dolly.

A few years ago we were climbing the grapevine out of Los Angeles, heading north on Interstate 5. If you are not familiar with this stretch of road, it’s very long and steep. It’s one of those passes where there is a sign advising drivers to turn off their air-conditioners to avoid overheating. As we were climbing, my TPMS started to buzz. It was indicating that my right dolly tire was quickly losing pressure. Fortunately there was a pull-out there, so I was able to react quickly and stop the vehicle. Upon inspecting the dolly, it was obvious that there had been a blowout, as the tire was almost flat and had an audible leak. We carried a spare for the dolly, so were quickly on the road again. Had I not had the TPMS, it is unlikely I would have noticed the blowout in time to avoid serious damage and possible injury. It is not likely another driver would have noticed and signaled me, since the blowout occurred on the curb-side.

I highly recommend a TPMS system regardless of whether you are towing or not. TPMS systems provide great peace-of-mind and I can certainly attest to the fact that they work well and potentially prevent serious damage, and even injury, in the case of a blowout.

About the Author:

Tire Pressure 101

20 Wednesday May 2015

Posted by Coach-Net in RV Information, Tech Tips

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

RV tech tip, tech tip, tips, tire care, tire pressure, tire safety, Travel Safety

Most RV owners find out when they’re stranded that their RV doesn’t have a spare tire, and it’s estimated that 40% of RV owners have never checked their tire’s air pressure. On most trips over 200 miles, you will come across the carcass of a tire that failed usually due to incorrect tire pressure.

In addition to preventing tire failure there are other reasons to ensure correct tire pressure, including:

Wear on wheel wells, tire flaps, wiring and fluid lines
Poor handling
Decreased fuel economy

So, when should you check your RV or trailer tire pressure?

When tires are cold. If you have driven your RV one mile or more, let the tires cool for 3-4 hours prior to checking the air pressure
Before or after storing your vehicle
On long trips, every morning
On short trips, before you leave and when you return
At least once per month while the vehicle is in storage

Tires will lose 1-2 pounds per month. They are not perfectly sealed and it is natural for air loss to occur.

Do not exceed the tire pressure or weight capacity listed on the sidewall of the tire. RV manufacturers will list a recommended tire pressure on the door of the unit, but keep in mind this is their recommended tire inflation based on the vehicles weight when new. If you add extra tanks, accessories, racks, motorcycles, towing equipment or anything that adds weight to the RV, tire inflation will be affected.

A small amount of tire maintenance will go a long way. To help bring awareness to the importance of tire safety, Coach-Net is reminding RV owners to follow tire safety best practices. Proper care and maintenance of your vehicle’s tires can improve vehicle handling, fuel economy, increase the life of your tires and help protect you from avoidable breakdowns and accidents.

Proper RV Tire Inflation

13 Friday Mar 2015

Posted by Coach-Net in RV Information, Tech Tips

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

RV tech tip, RV Tips, RV Tires, tech tip, Tire Inflation, tire pressure

The most important factor in maintaining the life of your RV tires is making sure they are always properly inflated. There’s a reason why the tires you bought came with specific recommendations for proper inflation, so it’s important to get to know your tires and your owner’s manual.

Seven Basic Tire Inflation Tips

Check your tire pressure at least once a month
Check tire inflation before a trip, while your tires are cold
Check tires before and after storage
On short trips of a day or less driving each way, check before you leave and before you return home
Use a truck tire gauge with a dual-angled head to check inner and outer wheels together
Under inflation causes poor handling, excessive wear, poor gas mileage, and structural damage
Over inflation reduces traction and makes your rig harder to handle

Maximum Load Limit and Air Pressure

The amount of pressure required in each tire depends on the weight of the fully loaded vehicle. So you cannot determine the tire’s correct pressure unless you know your vehicle’s actual weight. The maximum load capacity allowed for the tire’s size and load rating and the minimum cold inflation pressure needed to carry that maximum load are located on the tire’s sidewall. (For example: “635 kg [1400 lbs] at 300 kPa [44 psi]). The lower the pressure, the lighter the load that tire can carry. Be sure to check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommended inflation and proper air pressure of your vehicle’s tires.

Weigh Your Coach

Know your RV’s load rating, otherwise known as GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating = the amount your unit is designed to carry), which also affects the pressure you put in your tires. You can find this information either on your door edge or near the driver’s seat. You can easily get your RV weighed for a fee at a truck stop; they’ll even give you a weight slip that shows the front axle and total weight. Ultimately, you should take your RV to a professional weighing agency to make sure it isn’t overweight on the corners or axles. Overloading your RV can be disastrous, and it has major affects on tires, wheels, springs and axles.

Remember:

Weigh your RV fully loaded (with passengers, food, water, propane, and any vehicles being towed by your RV)
Get axle-end specific weights when you weigh your RV
You won’t get equal loads at both ends of the same axle — just get the best possible balance
Find the heaviest end of each axle and use that load to select inflation for all tires on that axle
Use a weight distribution system for trailers over 5000 lbs

Tire Care – Your Guide to Safety

30 Friday May 2014

Posted by Coach-Net in Roadside Assistance

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

tire failure, tire maintenance, tire pressure, tire safety, tires

Vacations and RV travel season is upon us. Because of the cost of RV tires and the risk associated with blowouts on a large vehicle or towable, routinely maintaining your RV’s tires is essential. To help bring awareness to the importance of tire safety, Coach-Net is reminding RV owners to follow tire safety best practices. Proper care and maintenance of your vehicle’s tires can improve vehicle handling, fuel economy, increase the life of your tires and help protect you from avoidable breakdowns and accidents. The following tips outline the fundamentals of tire maintenance in your RV care routine:

Tread. The days of measuring tread with a coin are long gone. All modern “P,” “LT” and medium commercial tires have integral wear indicators built into the tread. These indicators are molded into several locations around the tread grooves. When the tread ribs become worn to the point where they’re adjacent to an indicator, it’s time for a new tire.

Pressure. There’s no need for expensive digital readers. Use a simple rotary gauge at least once a month when the tires are cold (even a one-mile drive can result in an inaccurate reading). If you find you’re regularly losing pressure from a tire, it’s time to call in professional help to locate and rectify the problem. Your tire’s pressure should math the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle.

Load Weight. A tire’s ply rating describes the maximum load the manufacturer recommends the tire be used to carry (at a specified pressure). It is imperative that you calculate the correct minimum ply rating suitable for the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of your RV, and this should be done by a professional. Also, never overload your RV. Exceeding the GVWR is one of the leading causes of RV tire failure.

Balancing. New tires are balanced by the installer, using the perhaps familiar semi-circular lead weights that can often be seen clamped to wheel rims. Tire balancing eliminates vibration that would otherwise contribute to driver fatigue, premature tire wear and suspension failure. Missing weights should be replaced immediately.

Rotation. Rotating the tires on your vehicle is important to keep wear patterns even. If your operator’s manual doesn’t give a specific guidance, it’s a good idea to do this once every six to ten thousand miles. This may not be practical while on an extended RV vacation, and may in fact be unnecessary so long as your inspections aren’t revealing conspicuous wear on one corner.

Mixing Tires. To ensure good driver control, and to encourage vehicle stability, tires with different tread patterns, different sizes and mismatched internal constructions should never be mixed.

To help take the sting out of those unexpected expenses, Coach-Net’s Hazard Protect product provides comprehensive tire and wheel hazard protection. With terms available from one to seven years, Hazard Protect covers all types of new and used recreational vehicles from common road hazards such as metal, nails, screws, potholes, glass and debris.

Most Common Reasons for Tire Failure

23 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by Coach-Net in Roadside Assistance

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

recreational vehicle, RV, tire failure, tire pressure

It’s a good news/bad news scenario concerning tires. First, let’s break the bad news: tires depreciate as soon as they roll out of the factory. A bleak thought, especially when you consider the substantial expense of purchasing tires for your recreational vehicle.

But now for the good news: as a responsible RV owner, you can extend the life of your tires, combat the deterioration process that’s been set in motion from the birth of a tire, and make sure your RV is safely ready to roll whenever you are. Tire failure does occur, and the common causes behind that failure are as varied as the scenery you’ve encountered on your many RV road trips. Ensuring that you have a robust roadside assistance program in place well before you venture out on the open road is prudent. Your personal safety and the safety of your passengers is priority number one.

Why Tires Fail Before Their Time

Most RV owners can expect about five years from a new set of tires. Proper tire care, regular inspection and periodic maintenance may eke another year or two of tire life. When a tire fails, it can not only cause extensive damage to the body of an RV, or shocks, etc., but it can also pose a life-threatening situation to you and your passengers if a blowout causes the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Additionally, bits of tire from a blowout create a hazard to other drivers who are sharing the road with you. Invaluable roadside assistance programs enable you to get back on the road by arranging to have a flat changed, providing you with a comparable new tire, or towing you to a repair facility. It can’t, however, undo damage done to you, your loved ones or other travelers. Take precautions against tire failure to avoid disastrous trip scenarios.

The main offenders behind untimely tire failure include:

Overheating due to under-inflated tires — It’s a given that tires lose air over time. Temperature fluctuations and road use impact tire pressure, so it’s extremely important to check tire pressure periodically. Under-inflated tires generate a lot of heat while they’re rolling down the road. More rubber comes into contact with the road surface, causing excess friction and, therefore, overheating.
Loading your RV to the hilt and improper weight distribution — An overloaded motor coach or other recreational vehicle leads to under-inflated tires. Too much stress on one or more tires can mean premature tire failure on the open road.
Dry rot from sun (UV) damage — The sun is notorious for setting physical or chemical changes in motion. Your RV tires are no exception. Destructive UV rays affect a tire in such a way that damage to the integrity of the tire’s rubber may be nearly invisible. If you detect any cracking or splitting, especially on the tire’s sidewalls, the tire is unsafe.
Old tires that appear hale and hearty — A ten-year-old tire may have excellent tread, look good and appear road-worthy. But tires are meant for rolling down the open road, not for standing still. Over time, the material that makes up a tire begins to deteriorate.

Preventive Measures

Here are a few tips that can prevent the potential tire problems listed above:

Check tire pressure with a trusted tire gauge every day you’re on the road, and every month when you’re not.
Have your RV weighed to ensure proper weight distribution
Cover tires to protect against damaging UV rays
Examine tires for defects
Read the DOT’s sidewall information to determine tire age
Have a reliable roadside assistance plan in place before your RV adventure

Coach-Net

~ Travel and Adventure Blog

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