Keep An Eye on Your RV Tires
Having a tire blowout from under your RV while on the road is one of the worst things that can happen while traveling to or from your destination. Obviously, losing a tire while moving at freeway speed can lead to very serious consequences, so the best thing that you can do when it comes to this issue is to avoid it in the first place. By caring for your tires properly, you can steer clear of a blowout and keep your traveling party safe in the process.
The first thing you can do to lessen the likelihood of a tire blowout is to keep all of your tires in relatively good condition – which means replacing them as they get old. When the tread starts to wear thin on an old set of tires, consider replacing the entire set before your next trip. Even if you haven’t put all that many miles on the tires to this point, you still may want to replace them if they have been on the RV for several years. The condition of the rubber is going to degrade over time, especially if you live in a harsh climate, so it would be a mistake to push it too far.
Air Pressure Issues
The next thing you need to watch for before heading out on a trip is the inflation level of your tires. When your RV tires are underinflated before you hit the road, they will run the risk of getting too hot as you travel along, especially if you are driving on the freeway – and it is hot tires that are susceptible to blowouts. Before any long road trip, take a moment to check on the air pressure in your tires and adjust them as necessary. The appropriate level of pressure will vary on a number of factors including the tires themselves and the specific RV that you own, so educate yourself on the needs of your situation and respond accordingly.
Watch Your Weight
When packing up your RV to hit the open road, do your best to evenly distribute the weight inside the RV around the cabin. You should be focused on this for a number of reasons, including the fact that it can help you avoid a blowout (and it can help you recover more easily should a blowout occur). If you were to load up one side of the RV significantly heavier than the other side, you would be placing extra load on the tires on that side of the vehicle. Pay attention to heavy items as you pack and do your best to even things out nicely.
A Simple Walk-Around
Sometimes, it is the simple steps you take toward travel safety that are the most important. That is true in this case, as a simple walk-around your RV before you hit the road can give you a chance to inspect each tire for damage before you set off. After camping in the woods for a week, for instance, you might not have noticed that one of your tires suffered some form of damage that will compromise it while out on the road. Take a few moments to have a close look at each tire before heading out and your odds of a blowout will be dramatically reduced.
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