TIRES
Load/Inflation Information for Your Tires
Maintaining proper tire inflation pressure is essential for both tire safety and performance.
Proper Tire Inflation
The level of air in your tires affects your vehicle’s overall performance. Not even the highest quality tire will perform well if it’s not inflated properly. The correct pressure varies from vehicle to vehicle and depends in part upon driver preference. Each vehicle has a maximum inflation pressure, usually found on a metal tag riveted to the outside of the vehicle as well as on the original equipment tires.
Correct tire inflation is a key component in tire care. The recommended inflation pressures for your tires are indicated on the certification label or in your owner’s manual. Since RVs can be loaded with many different configurations, the load on each tire will vary. For this reason, air pressure should be checked based on the load on each individual tire. Cold Inflation Pressure should be adjusted to handle the maximum tire load, and all tires on the axle should carry the same inflation pressure. COLD TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE is the tire pressure checked in the morning before you drive more than a few miles or before rising ambient temperatures or the sun’s radiant heat affects it. Check your tires’ air pressures at least once a month, before each trip and each morning you drive during a trip. Tire pressure should be checked cold, as tire pressure ratings have been designed with typical running heat/pressure
Under Inflation
Under inflation brings a higher risk of damage due to road hazards, reduces casing durability, causes a loss in fuel economy, and uneven or irregular tire wear. Severe
Exterior
under inflation brings about an increased risk of tread separation, handling difficulties, and possibly tires failure, caused by overheating.
IMPORTANT: Lowering tire pressure in the search for a smoother ride is not only dangerous, it’s relatively ineffective, and as the difference in the ride quality is not significant. When minimum inflation pressure requirements are not met, tire durability and optimum operating conditions are compromised. Tire inflation pressure should always meet the guidelines for vehicle weight.
• It may be necessary to inflate your tires at a truck stop or truck service center | D |
in order to achieve adequate air pressure for your coach’s needs | |
• Only permanent air seal metal valve caps should be used. | |
• Be safe - if a tire has been run 20% under inflated, it must be dismounted |
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and inspected by a trained professional. It should not be aired up without a |
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full inspection or without using a safety cage. Use a calibrated gauge. If your |
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tire is rated for higher inflation pressures, a special gauge will be required |
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designed for larger tires. |
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• Don’t bleed air from warm tires to reduce pressure buildup |
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• Don’t inflate tires to cold PSI rating beyond rim specifications |
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HOW OVERLOADING AFFECTS YOUR TIRES
Tire pressure is what enables your RV tire to support loads. Overloading your tires can have serious consequences for passengers and your RV. Too much weight can cause stress on your RV’s suspension system, brake failure, shock absorber damage, handling and steering problems, irregular tire wear and possible tire failure. Excessive loads or under inflation can lead to an excessive amount of heat and tire failure. If you discover that your tires cannot handle the load, lighten the weight of the load on your tires. Tire pressure should never be reduced below the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended levels to support load conditions in order to improve the ride quality of a vehicle. The difference in ride quality is not significant. When inflation pressure requirements are not met, tire durability and optimum operation can be affected.
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