Tire Safety

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  • Tire Safety

    Regularly checking and maintaining proper tire air pressure (along with proper loading and weight distribution) is extremely important to the safety and enjoyment of RV’ing. Improper air pressure in RV tires is probably one of the most common safety issues and causes for delays, extra expense and inconvenience on the road.
    • Low tire pressure and overloading are the most common and can result in poor handling and braking, tire overheating, uneven tread wear and blow out and/or tread separation.
    • I check air pressure before each trip and every day during the trip.
    • At each stop after a long stretch on the highway I visually check tires and put a hand on them paying attention to temperature. A tire that is hotter than others can indicate a pending problem like low air pressure, a bad wheel bearing, stuck brake, bad alignment, improper weight distribution, etc. Keep in mind that temperatures can vary amongst the tires due to the sun shining on one side of RV, driving with a crosswind, or one part of RV loaded heavier.

    Important Safety Notes:
    1. Never try to bleed air from a HOT tire. Let it cool first & keep in mind that pressure will drop a bit as it cools.
    2. If a tire appears to be hot, like smoke coming off of it or the wheel, DO NOT go near it until it has sufficient time to cool. This is usually a brake or wheel bearing problem and after you are stopped the heat can continue to build and cause the tire to explode.
    3. Always run manufacturer recommended tire pressures for your current weight and check regularly.
    4. Always pay attention to the loading (weight distribution) or your RV.
    5. Don’t run your hand around tire (as the guy in the video does). If a sharp object is embedded in the tire it will slice you open.

    BFG published this tire guide (link below) that is very informative, a highly recommended read even if you don't run their tires.

    BFG Tire Brochure.pdf


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