How long do RV tires last?
When it comes to road tripping in your campervan, many things are important. First and foremost, you want to get to your destination. Therefore the recreational vehicle (RV) must be roadworthy and safe to get you to your destination. One of the most important safety features is the quality of the tires. Honestly, when was the last time you checked your RV tires? Tires are the only connection between the RV and the road surface; therefore, they must be in good condition. This article will give tips on when to replace RV tires. How long do RV tires last? Let’s find out.
What constitutes a safe tire?
Tyre Tread Depth
Whether you are a car mechanic or a complete novice, there are simple ways to assess a tire’s safety. A brand new tire will have maximum tread giving the RV maximum grip. This is the safest a tire can be. Over time the tread will wear eventually until it is gone. You can visually inspect the tire. However, this is not an accurate way to judge the safety of the tread. A tire tread gauge is a fast and effective method to check the tread on each tire. These are worth investing in, and literally, the process takes minutes.
New tyres will have up to 9 millimetres of depth—the more worn the tire, the less depth of tread it will have. In the United Kingdom and Europe, the legal minimum tread depth a tire can have it 1.6mm. Any lower and the car is not road worthy. In other words, if the Police pulled you over, expect points on your license and a fine for each tire below the limit. Critically though, from a safety perspective, a tread depth should never get close to this legal limit. In the RV rental sector, it’s common practice to get tires changed at 3mm.
Tire pressure
When was the last time you checked the RV’s tire pressure? Fuel stations and service stations will have tire inflator stations. Some are free others will charge a small fee. Each tire has a set pressure it needs to be at for safety and optimum performance. You can find this information in the tyre specification. You can find tire pressures in the vehicle manual and sometimes on the inside of the driver’s side door.
The tire pressure will vary on the weight load also. Flat tires are inefficient and will drive MPG down. Overinflated tires are at risk of exploding. You have to goldilocks each tire and get it just right. The use of a tire pressure gauge is handy to keep in the vehicle so you can check at any point. It’s good practice to check tire pressures before any trip.
Tire damage
A visual inspection could potentially identify any tire damage. You have to get close to the tires to see any damage. This means literally within touching distance. Things to look out for are cuts in the tires. These have the potential to cause the tire to blow. You can also check for anything like nails or other things sticking into the tire. Anything obvious to the eye is worth inspecting, and if you find anything that concerns you take your RV into the garage.
Planning ahead
When planning your next campervan trip, it is worth inspecting each tire. It will only take around 10 minutes and will give you peace of mind for your journey, particularly if the trip is longer in duration. You want the tires to be in a good enough shape to last the duration. It is also worth having a spare tire or a plan of action should you get a flat tire. If you are confident about changing a tire, this can be useful. If you are unfamiliar, the following video will give you a guide on how to do it.
How long do RV tires last conclusion?
As the saying goes, if you fail to prepare, you have to prepare to fail. Campervans trips aren’t just about what you need to pack. You must pay your RV the same amount of attention. It’s your responsibility to make sure your RV is ready for a road trip. Tire checks don’t take long but could save you a lot of potential trouble on your trip. If things go wrong with a tire, you need to be prepared in the form of being able to fix it yourself or to have appropriate breakdown cover. Run-flat tires could be a wise purchase. Run flats are more expensive than normal tires but allow you to drive with a flat. This meaning you won’t be stranded and can get safely to a garage to get the punctured tire replaced. Tires last a range of time depending on wear. Just don; ‘t let them get below 3mm ideally and not below the legal limit of 1.6mm.