How To Prevent RV Tire Blowouts?

 

Milstead Service Center Shares Tips To Avoid RV Tire Blowouts

Conroe, United States - November 8, 2022 /Milstead Service Center/

Regular RV maintenance and repair are required whether you live or travel in an RV. Taking care of the vehicle is essential for safety to make each travel meaningful and memorable. Tires need the care to avoid RV tire blowouts, which can lead to accidents, upset time schedules, and disrupt travel plans. When they blow out, RV tires can destroy electric lines, damage propane tanks, and spoil the rig's underside.

Milstead Service Center, in Conroe, TX, is an auto repair shop that provides RV repair. This service center provides honest and courteous service in Conroe and neighboring areas. Milstead Service Center performs all minor and significant mechanical, electrical, and body repairs. 

Tips to avoid RV tire blowouts

1. Replace RV Tires Regularly

To reduce the risk of RV tire blowout, RV owners should replace the tires regularly to keep the vehicle and occupants safer. Replacing tires every 3 to 6 years is advisable, depending on the use of the RV.

RVs in full-time use might need RV tire replacement before six years. It is good to check tires before every trip, with attention to tread depth, cracking, sun damage, sidewall damage, and uneven wear. RV owners must also check tire pressure and tighten the lug nuts before each trip.

2. Regular Tire Maintenance

Regular tire maintenance is essential to prevent tire blowouts. A physical check before heading out on the RV is integral to tire maintenance. Tire pressure, wear of the tires, and tread depth are all part of the check. Check the wheel alignment and balance and ensure tire rotation during regular RV service. 

Parking RVs on grass or dirt for a long time exposes the tires to moisture that can rot the tires. If parking on dirt is the only option, raise the RV off the ground with jack pads to keep them away from moisture and reduce the risk of flat spots developing. Parking on asphalt is better unless it is in a hot climate. If the RV is parked long-term, it is good to drive it a bit at least once a month, which helps to prevent flat spots that develop when pressure is exerted on the same spot on tires for long periods. 

3. Keep Away From Excessive Heat

Applying brakes frequently, driving at high speed, and excessive cornering can cause extreme heat on tires. Heat makes the rubber of tires weak and leads to the expansion of the tires. It is better to avoid speeding in an RV so that the tires are not heated up, and the journey is more enjoyable. Taking breaks during long rides in hot climates will also reduce the risk of the tires heating up. 

4. Stick To An RV-Friendly Route

RV tires can blow out because of debris or nails and screws on the roads that damage them. It is prudent to avoid taking routes through construction areas and where there is loose debris that may damage RV tires. If this is not practical, the RV owner or driver can inspect the tires whenever they stop for a fuel refill or break. 

5. Avoid Carrying Too Much Weight

More weight can exert more pressure on the tires, causing tire blowouts. Such blowouts can make the vehicle flip over or lead to difficulty with braking. The more weight the RV carries, the longer it will take to stop it. The driver or RV owner must know how much the trailer weighs and the maximum weight rating of the vehicle. Insurance claims may be denied citing the extra weight if the RV weighs more than the recommended weight and meets with an accident.

6. Tire Pressure Monitoring

Using a tire pressure monitor can help avoid RV tire blowouts. Low or high tire pressure is dangerous. The pressure of the RV tire must be the maximum cold inflation pressure listed on the tire's sidewall. Some monitors provide alerts with readings. Checking these alerts will help to take the  RV off the road when a blowout is imminent. 

7. Choose Tires of The Correct Size

RV tires have an "ST" code on the sidewall. RV tires have thicker sidewalls and narrower tread widths than car tires. So, car tires cannot be used for RVs. RV tires need to be able to bear more load and tow weight, and so are designed for stress caused by weight and towing. All the RV tires must be the same size to manage the vehicle's weight. Their combined capacity must be 20 percent more than the loaded trailer weight. 

8. Do Not Use Old Tires

Older tires that are worn out and in poor condition are more likely to blow out. The RV tire has a date that is usually on the inside of the tire. To check the date, crawl under the rig after ensuring the wheels are chocked and emergency brakes are applied.  After the letters DOT, there is a 4-digit number, of which the first two numbers are the week, and the following two numbers are the year of manufacture.

Ensuring RV tires are in good condition and less likely to blow out will help increase the safety of RV rides and save time and money. An RV Service Center will help check the tires' safety and provide maintenance. Milstead Service Center provides RV Service in Conroe, TX, including wheel and tire maintenance (rotation, balancing, alignments). The experienced technicians at Milstead Service Center understand the importance of multi-point inspections and manufacturer-recommended services. This RV repair expert is committed to providing excellent customer service with honesty and has been doing just that for over three decades. For the most dependable and affordable RV repair in Conroe, TX, contact Milstead Service Center at (936) 441-3500.