Looking After Your Tyres

Motorhomes and caravans come in all sorts of lengths, designs and layouts but one thing they do have in common is tyres. Tyres are often accepted as just being there “part of the furniture” so to speak but when you think about it, your very safety depends on the condition and suitability of your tyres.

All new Avida motorhomes and Avida caravans are supplied with tyres as specified by the chassis manufacturer but over time when tyres wear and are replaced, always specify tyres as close as possible as those of the original chassis manufacturers.

Tyre pressure is all important. Tyres aren’t cheap and “under pressure” can cause expensive wear leading eventually to blowouts, particularly on dual wheel arrangements as one of the tyres can bulge and rub against the other causing adverse wear. Blowouts at speed are not great things to have as stability and control can be severely affected. Always check your tyre pressure before heading off on your journey and daily thereafter. A good tip is to purchase a quality tyre pressure gauge that you can depend upon, as many of the public gauges such as those at service stations are notoriously inaccurate.

Another quick method is to hit each tyre with an iron bar and listen to the sound. If you hear a “ringing” sound, the tyre is reasonably pressurized however if the sound is a dull “thud” perhaps some air is required.

A tyre placard is usually located inside the door jam or your motorhome or on the A frame of the caravan trailer. Have a look on the placard and you should find what pressure is correct for your tyres and what size tyres are recommended for the wheel rim.

As your tyres wear, you will need to replace them as they will lose grip. When you replace your tyres, try to purchase new tyres as close as possible to the original specification but if you can’t at least specify light truck (LT) tyres, designed for the size and weight of your motorhome or caravan. LT tyres have a thicker side wall and deeper tread than those described as “passenger construction” and therefore can take greater pressurisation which leads to greater load carrying capacity. Remember but, never over inflate your tyres.

By the way, a couple of extra tips, always make sure that you have the correct equipment on board in case you have to change a tyre (including a ground tarp) and don’t neglect your spare wheel, it may be vitally important at the most inopportune times and one day you may be glad you looked after it.

At the end of the day, your fall-back position is Avida RV Help (24 hour roadside assistance) – its best to be in it and if you are, you call just call 1800 RV HELP for assistance with changing a tyre – it’s all part of the service.