How to Get the Most Out of Your Travel Trailer Tires

Travel Trailer Tires are what enable you to hit the road in your RV and explore every nook and cranny of the world around you. An RV without tires is essentially a house. You can look out the window, but you won't be going anywhere. It's so important to take care of your travel trailer tires so you can trek around the country with comfort and security.

When spring rolls around, so does the itch to get out on the road and explore. The sun lifts everyone's spirits, but it can wear travel trailer tires that have been stored outside. Even indoor travel trailer tires need a going over to make sure they are ready for the road. The most important things to look for are smooth edges, bulging or fabric breaks. If you find any of these, it's time for new travel trailer tires.

Safety is key when driving an RV. Due to their larger size, a spin off the road from a flat tire could be hazardous to not only you, but other drivers on the road. At each fill up, check for screws, glass or other sharp objects on the ground. If you hear a hissing sound coming from the travel trailer tires, you most likely have a slow leak. Most garages can patch your travel trailer tire without having to replace it.

Most people don't think of travel trailer tires having an expiration date, but the general rule is after six years they should be replaced. Internal damage can occur, causing greater incidence of flat tires. Check the stamped on date on every tire to find out when your travel trailer tires should be replaced.

Travel trailer tires can get worn out whether they are on the road every day or not. In fact, tires that are used less tend to wear more. Tires were designed for usage, so long periods of storage can cause cracking from dryness. If you aren't confident checking your own tires, take them to your local garage and have a professional look them over.

Tire inflation levels on a travel trailer tire really make a difference regarding wearing and alignment (and more). Use an air pressure gage (it's simple, but it's effective). Take a reading once a month (more often couldn' hurt). Or plan on taking a reading before each trip. If you're on a cross country trip that's going to take a while and easy rule of thumb is to take a reading after crossing each state line. Your owner's manual lists the inflation levels that are safest for your vehicle.

If a tire pops while driving, try to regain control of the vehicle by a quick tap on the accelerator. Once the vehicle has steadied out, pull over to the side of the road and look for a safe place to notify help.

Different travel trailer tires are built differently and you will get what you pay for with tires. You don't have to spend a mint on new travel trailer tires, but be sure you have tires that will that suit your needs. If you live in a sunny climate, you may not need all season or winter tires. But be sure to check your tires on a regular basis, for your safety and the safety of those around you.

*basic info provided by RVSafety.com

Contributed by Jim Tolar. For more information on RVs or the RVing lifestyle, visit Beaudry RV, recognized leader in the RV industry.