Motorhome & Trailer Tires Pressue & Safety - Tire Loading Tech

Age
In addition to improper air pressure, tire age can also lead to failure. To learn when a tire was made, consumers can decode the DOT manufacturing stamp on the sidewall: a two-digit number for the week of the year followed by the two-digit year. European automakers recommend replacing any tire that's more than 6 years old; domestic tiremakers don't concur, explaining that new tires can sit in warehouses for two or more years prior to sale.

Age generally isn't a concern on commuter vehicles-the tread usually wears out before it separates and fails. Age is more of an issue on infrequently used tires: RVs, collector cars, and spares. The tread might pass the penny test, but the tire could be rotting from the inside out.

Stems and caps also deserve attention. Rubber stems aren't rated for higher inflation. All-steel, clamp-in stems are worth considering-especially if you have dualie extension hoses. Also, make sure that dualie valve stems are clocked 180 degrees apart to make pressure-checks easier. For caps, consider sealed metal models to keep out dirt and water.

Two old standbys-wheel alignment and tire rotation-extend rubber life. Uneven wear and improper tracking indicate a problem. Assuming that tire pressure is correct, take a trip to a tire store or repair facility that knows RVs. Also, any tire that's discovered to be 20 percent underinflated should be professionally inspected. This involves unmounting the tire to check for internal damage.

The underlying message: Don't devote all your tire attention to your trail rig. Your tow vehicle's tires are important too. The keys to safe towing with an RV include not overloading the rig, evenly distributing the cargo, matching the tires to the tow vehicle, and maintaining the tires by checking pressure and wear. The sources here have detailed information for specific vehicle configurations and scenarios, such as mixing radial and bias-ply tires, load ranges/ply ratings, and more.