Taking Care Of Your RV’s Tires
Camping in comfort and luxury with an RV is a great way to relax in nature, but it’s not possible without proper tire maintenance. If you don’t keep your tires in good shape, the only place you’ll be camping is the side of the road or your driveway! But a little preventative maintenance can go a long way and keep you on the road — plus it can save you a lot of time and money. Tire maintenance can also increase your fuel efficiency, saving even more money and letting you travel further.
That’s why we here at Casa Grande RV Sales in Casa Grande, Arizona, have put together this handy guide on tire care. We proudly serve Chandler and Gilbert with every RV need. From finance to trade-ins, from service to parts, we work to make sure you are ready for the camping trip of a lifetime.
Visual Inspection
The first step in any RV maintenance or care process is to examine things visually. Make sure to look at all tires for any signs of low air pressure, low tread, or cracks or damage to the sidewalls. Low air pressure can be fixed relatively easily, but low tread or other visible damage to the tire may require a specialist.
Proper Inflation
Making sure your tires are properly inflated can make all the difference with how your RV travels. Proper inflation helps to optimize the distribution of weight, acceleration, and braking forces on the tread. This results in a smoother ride and better fuel economy. Improper tire inflation, on the other hand, can cause your tire tread to wear out faster than normal.
Check your owner’s manual to see what the proper psi for your tires is, then make use of a tire pressure gauge to check your tire pressure before taking any trips. Try to check the pressure in the morning when your tires are cold for the most accurate information.
If you want to automate things a bit, you can invest in a remote tire pressure monitoring system. These provide real-time information about your tire pressure as you drive, updating you when the pressure gets too low or changes suddenly. That way you can address issues as they develop rather than wait until the next morning for your next check-up.
Tread Lightly
Your tire tread is going to be worn down naturally as you travel with your RV — that can’t be helped. There will be a point where it gets worn down enough that it becomes a safety issue, and you need to keep an eye on it for that reason. Low tread loses the ability to maintain proper traction on the road, making it harder to accelerate, brake, and turn safely. This becomes even more dangerous on roads with poor weather conditions, such as when it’s snowing or wet, or on roads with a lot of dirt, mud, or gravel. Typically speaking, you want tread that is 2/32-inch deep, but verify that with your owner’s manual.
You’ll also want to make sure the tread is being worn down evenly on every tire. If there’s improper inflation or incorrect wheel alignment, some tires may be wearing down faster than others. This can indicate, and cause, larger problems and should be brought to a mechanic’s attention.
Don’t Over-Pack
Avoid overloading your RV. The more it weighs, the more strain is placed on the tires, which can lead to faster wear and tear. Try to pack only the essentials for your trip, and when you’re traveling, try to make sure the weight is distributed evenly throughout the RV.
Proper Tire Storage
If you’re storing your RV for the off-season and don’t intend to use it for a long time, it’s a good idea to store your tires separately when possible. If your motorhome is resting on them all winter long, the tires will have an extended period of pressure with little to no rotation to distribute the force evenly along the surface. If possible, remove the tires and store them in or under a cover that blocks UV rays for optimal protection.
Keeping your tires in good shape is a vital part of proper RV maintenance, but it’s only one aspect. If you have other concerns, or if you need help with your tires, stop on by Casa Grande RV Sales! Our friendly and well-trained staff can help you find any parts you need, and our service department will make sure your RV is in top condition. Stop by today!