Your RV Tires.

[Lakota Wolf]

Whether its a trailer or a motor home,,, Your tires are right up there in the safety factor. I have come across several RV'ers who go screaming down the highway 75 mph 80 mph etc..In the last 3 trips from Waco to Padre Island, I have come across 3 RV'ers,, 1 motorhome and 2 travel trailers will tire failures.The motor home driver said his tires were only 11 yrs old and looked *fine. He was also fighting the lug nuts due to them being rusted on, (he bent his cheater bar on one lug nut).  Road service finally showed up and got it off with an air chisel. One RV trailer was less then 3 yrs old and after investigating the tire ratings, specifically tire rated speed. (the particular tire speed rating was 65 mph MAX.  The driver was cruising 75 plus. Hmmmmm,, No wonder he had tire failure.   When buying NEW tires,, get the approved *WEIGHT, SPEED and SIDE WALL rating... ( D and E's Are Heavy duty rated).

ALWAYS,, after storing the RV and before hitting the road,, Check the tire pressure,,, Under-inflated tires will overheat and blow the side walls out,, Over-inflated will blow out the tread. All in all, pretty much blow the tire apart either way. Which if you have ever had a highway speed blow out,, it does quite a number on the body panels and fender skirts.

 I am at times a little OVER cautious. I check my tires prior to the trip, and if I pull off for the night,,, the following morning I will take the 10 minutes to do a *walk around and re-check tire pressure before hitting the road again,,, This includes checking the lug nuts and any play in the wheel, ( checking for wheel bearing play).  Before each trip, this should be done, and don't forget to check your spare,, (condition and tire pressure). Nothing is more heart breaking then having a flat and getting your spare out and its in worse condition then the blown tire.

Another point,,,,,, While the RV is stored and you happen to notice a tire sitting low,,,,,,, Don't let it go,,, a deflating tire will crack along the side wall as it goes flat.

QUICK TIP *** Apply a good coat of WAX to your rims before storing,, will help keep rust from accumilating on the rims.And tire covers help.

Don't fall for the old gimmick,,,, to change the summer air for winter air and vice versa in your tires. Thats right up there with deluting your blinker fluid.

[david craft]

Date codes are 4 digit in a kind of crude stamp by the bead on one side only. Week and year example 2412: 24th week of 2012. No more than six years max...less if they look deteriorated. I got some "black friday" tires at Walmart with no warranty, but hey, they were goodyear eagles!...delamed in 6 monthes. Went to the NHTSA site...they had a bulletin on eagles for ply separation..too light of glue in between plys. Moral of story...dont buy tires without a warranty...they should not be sold!

[Lakota Wolf]

Or,,,,,As the blonde was saying.... But it should still be ok,,, Its only flat on the bottom. (My appologies to any blondes)..