Monitor your pressure to ease your stress
I’m not referring to your blood pressure, although that is an important topic. One of the more stressful parts of any RV adventure is the journey itself. The tires on your RV are not often given much thought, but their condition throughout the trip can determine the quality of your journey. When an issue presents itself on the road it can lead to delays, damage to your rig, or even personal harm. Many travel trailer manufacturers cite improperly maintained tire pressure as one common cause for loss of control.
A typical tire pressure warning in a travel trailer owner’s manual. Be sure you know the correct pressure for your tires.
Most travel trailer tire pressures are in the range of 40-65 PSI. The heavier your rig, the higher the pressures are likely to be. Motorhome tire pressures can be as high as 100 or more PSI.
Here are some facts to keep in mind:
Incorrect tire pressures cause unnecessary tire wear.
The stability of your rig on the road will likely be compromised when your tires are not properly inflated.
If one tire has low pressure it creates more load on the other tires.
When the load is not shared equally, there is an increased chance for a blowout of an otherwise sound tire.
Tire pressure should be checked when tires are cold. Even if you’ve only traveled a few miles at a speed of 40 mph you should allow 2-3 hours for the tires to cool before checking the tire pressure.
How can you find tire pressure peace of mind?
Sunward RV Depot offers two methods you can use to de-stress when it comes to tire pressure.
Pre-Trip Tire Inspection
One element of our Pre-Trip Prep Package is a tire inspection. When your RV is brought to the departure area one of our RV Associates will check the current tire pressure against the Federal Certification label. The current pressure will be documented and retained. We will add or remove air, as appropriate, for tires that are out of compliance. Should pressure adjustments be required, you will be informed at the time of pick up. An RV Associate will review with you which tires were out of compliance, by how much, the corrective action, and have you initial the inspection document. Further, a fresh round of pressure readings will be taken in your presence to ensure they remain in compliance before departure.
Our tire inspection also includes a simple tread wear check. We use a common penny to determine whether the tread has worn to the point of needing a new tire. We also perform a visual inspection for damage to the tread, sidewalls, and valve stem. The observations are also recorded on the tire inspection document along with any recommendations for scheduling a tire replacement.
The Pre-Trip Prep Package is an extra-cost service that will enhance your safety during your trip and increase your peace of mind.
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
Sunward RV sells and rents systems you can use to monitor your tire pressure and temperature every moment you are on the road. Most modern cars and trucks have such systems built-in or available as an option. These systems have small pressure gauges which are mounted on the valve stem of your tires. They replace the valve stem caps. They are lightweight and don’t impact the balance of the wheels. Each monitor is given a unique ID and coded to send pressure and temperature data wirelessly to a receiver. The receiver displays the tire data and can be mounted on your dash or windshield.
A typical TPMS will cost between $250 and $500. Depending upon the length of your rig, you might need a booster to ensure the monitors furthest from your receiver can maintain a strong and consistent communication signal. The cost will also depend upon the number of tires for which you need monitors.
Rather than buy a TPMS, you can rent one from us for the duration of your trip. Rental rates are based upon the number of tires being monitored and the duration of the rental. Daily and weekly rates are available. Please give us several hours of advance notice prior to your departure time if you want to rent a TMPS. This will allow us time to install the monitors on the valve stems, code them to the monitor, and have the receiver ready for you by the time you arrive. Upon your return, if you like the system and want to purchase it half of the rental fee will apply toward the purchase.
Depressurize Your Tire Pressure Stress
Proper tire inflation and regular inspection can stave off issues on the road and lengthen the life of your tires. Being able to monitor your tire pressure and temperature dynamically while you are on the road adds to both safety and peace of mind. Play it safe when it comes to your tires. A lot is resting on them!
