Taking Care of Your RV Tires Will Save You Money, and Might Save Your Life!

Proper Tire Inflation

Correct tire inflation is a key component in tire care. The recommended maximum 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, actual air pressure required should be determined based on the load on each individual tire. Inflation pressure should be adjusted to handle the tire carrying the heaviest load, and all tires on the axle should be adjusted to this standard.

Each manufacturer provides load and inflation tables specific to their products to help you determine the correct tire inflation pressure for your vehicle's loading.

Under inflation brings a higher risk of susceptibility to damage due to road hazards, reduces casing durability, and causes a loss in fuel economy, plus uneven or irregular tire wear. Severe or prolonged under inflation brings about an increased risk of tread separation.

IMPORTANT: It's a common practice for RV owners to lower tire pressure in their search for a smoother ride. This is not only dangerous, it's relatively ineffective, and as the difference in 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 at least the minimum guidelines for vehicle weight.

Tire Inflation Guidelines

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, or before you have driven that day, as tire pressure ratings have been designed with typical running heat/pressure build-up in mind. Remember to check the air pressures of the inside tires in dual fitments and make sure the valves and caps are free of dirt and moisture.

• It may be necessary to inflate your tires at a truck stop or truck service center 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 and inspected by a trained professional. It should not be aired up without a full inspection or without using a safety cage. Use a calibrated gauge. If your tire is rated for higher inflation pressures, a special gauge will be required designed for larger tires.
• Maintain mated duals at equal inflation pressures
• Don't bleed air from warm tires to reduce pressure build up
• Don't inflate tires to cold PSI rating beyond rim specifications
• Don't run one dual at low inflation pressure or flat

Tire Loading

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 or install tires with a higher carrying capacity. Remember to consult your owner's manual, a Goodyear retailer, or the RV manufacturer for information concerning selection and installation of new 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 minimum inflation pressure requirements are not met, tire durability and optimum operation can be affected.

Inflation Pressure for Uneven Vehicle Weight

• Select a tire with load carrying capacity designed to handle the maximum load point
• For each axle determine the correct inflation pressure needed for that size tire to handle the maximum load
• Inflate all tires on that axle to this same inflation pressure

How To Store Your Tires

The best place to store tires is a clean, cool, dry, sunless area away from strong air currents. Even though the rubber used to make tires is formulated to resist the effects of sunlight, ozone, and water, the life of a tire can be extended if exposure to these elements is minimized during storage.

• Stack tires flat so that the bottom tire will maintain its shape
• Wrap each tire with an opaque polyethylene covering to minimize the effects of oxygen and ozone. Most tire retailers have storage bags made specifically for this purpose
• If tires are being stored outdoors, they should be raised off the storage surface
• If tires are stored while mounted on rims, they should be inflated to 10 psi
• If they are put in storage during warm weather, the initial inflation pressure should be about 15 psi to offset the pressure drop during cold weather months

How Not to Store Your Tires

• Don't store tires in an area that is wet, oily or greasy
• Don't store tires where they are subjected to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures
• Don't store tires near electric motors or other ozone-generating sources
• Don't store tires on black asphalt or other heat-absorbent surfaces
• Don't store tires on or adjacent to highly reflective surfaces such as sand or snow

Storing Your Vehicle Without Removing the Tires

Ideally, a vehicle in storage should be placed on blocks to remove all weight from the tires. If the vehicle cannot be put on blocks, follow these steps for tire protection:

• Completely unload the vehicle so that minimum weight will be placed on the tires
• Inflate tires to recommended operating pressure plus 25%. Ensure that the rim manufacturer’s inflation capacity is not exceeded
• Be sure the storage surface is firm, clean, well drained and reasonably level
• Avoid moving the vehicle during extremely cold weather
• Move the vehicle at least every three months to prevent ozone cracking in the tire bulge area, as well as “flat-spotting” from the prolonged strain of sidewall and tread deflection
• Adjust inflation before putting the vehicle back into service

   RV Tire Covers

RV tire covers are available in our Parts & Accessories department, 4 packs are less than $60.

So take care of your tires, you’ll be glad if you do, and sorry if you don’t.