subject: Motorhome Tires - Selecting The Right Ones And Safety Precautions For Travel [print this page] Many motorhome tire manufacturers have become better at building products that provide comfort, efficiency and durability for their customers. Tires for these homes on wheels bear a lot more responsibility for safety and efficiency than regular car tires.
According to tire professionals, auto tires have a recommended and maximum cold pressure rating, while truck tires have a minimum cold pressure rating to carry maximum loads. This information is very critical to know and can be the determining factor of whether an accident happens or not. On radial truck tires or motorhome tires the number of plies has no meaning, according to him load range and inflation pressure are the determining factors. Truck tires are typically inflated to carry the present load and this can vary at different times depending what the truck is hauling. The highest load appears to be on the right front and can reach 3000 lbs. of pressure. In the case of some motor homes, the load is constantly changing because of the independent front and rear suspension.
According to research a 10 degree drop in air temperature will reduce pressure by 1 psi. The difference between summer and winter can be as much as 8 psi. For truck tires a 10 psi drop in tire pressure will increase tire rolling resistance by 2%. Maintaining proper tire inflation is the most important tire maintenance function. Good pressure control is directly related with the cost of gas per mile. According to legal and liability concerns proper inflation would save 25,000 lives each year.
Tires older than 10 years old should be replaced immediately. According to MotorHome Magazine, the older the tire the greater the need to be replaced. Any tires in service of 10 years or longer from the date of manufacture should be replaced with new ones due to increased safety concerns.
Motorhome owners should be aware of the condition of their tires. Increased air loss, noise and vibrations are all indicators that new ones may be needed. Always make sure that before engaging on a trip with your motorhome you at least have the tires checked within days of leaving.
According to MotorHome magazine pressure of your motorhome tires can be determined by matching the tire-inflation pressure to the load on each corner of your vehicle. First, each individual wheel must be weighed, and then refer to the manufacturer's web site or literature regarding inflation. Each manufacturer provides load and inflation tables for their products to help you determine the correct tire inflation pressure. Check with your local dealer if you need assistance. Your family's safety depends on it.
