How To Take Care of Your RV Tires so You Don't Ruin a Family Trip
Aleena Juarez
· 4 min read
Buying an
RV
can be very exciting. It means you're taking the first step towards having some epic road trips that will make your friends jealous.But don’t forget about the other responsibilities that come with buying a
new vehicle
. You still have to get car insurance
on an RV. You’ll also want to learn how to maintain the RV so it doesn’t break down on the road.Minor tasks like checking the tire pressure and making sure the brakes are in good shape may not seem like that big of a deal. But, it can quickly ruin a good time if your RV falls apart en route to your vacation spot. Here are some tips to make sure your RV is in good condition, so you don't accidentally ruin the family road trip.
Regular maintenance for your RV is important
With all the daily tasks you have to take care of, it can be hard to find time for routine maintenance for your RV. It's still crucial that you make time to check out your RV, however, especially if you're planning a road trip in the near future.
There's a lot to consider, like making sure the plumbing works, cleaning out the AC, and taking a peek under the hood. You also want to make sure the tires are in good working condition. While it may seem like a quick glance is good enough, there's more to proper tire maintenance than just tapping it with your boot.
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Tire blowouts will do more than ruin your vacation
MORE:
How to Live in Your Car
According to
Consumer Reports
, "A flat tire can not only delay or even ruin a family vacation but also render a massive vehicle difficult to control. And should the tread or other components separate, the tire can damage the wheel arch and nearby RV wall as it is torn asunder."This can lead to serious injuries for you and your family riding in the RV, and any other pedestrians on the road. You don’t have to take this risk. It only takes a few minutes to check your tires.
So how do you know if your tires are suitable for the road?
How to take care of your RV tires
A good rule of thumb is to replace your tires at least once every 10 years, according to Consumer Reports. If you're not sure how old your tires are, check the Department of Transportation code. It’s located on the tire’s sidewall, and you might have to get underneath the vehicle to find it.
The last four digits of the code will tell you the week and year the tire was manufactured. 1021 would mean it was produced in the 10th week of 2021. If they were manufactured before 2000, there will only be one digit for the year. This means it’s definitely too old to use.
If you see any blisters, cuts, or cracks, those tires need to be replaced. Cleaning the tires with soap and water regularly can help you extend the life of your tires. But, don’t use tire dressing products that make it look good temporarily but slowly break down the tire.
You’ll also want to make sure your tires have the correct inflation pressure. This allows the tires to safely carry the heavy load of the RV. There are aftermarket pressure monitors designed specifically for RVs that will make the task easier.
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can be a bit of a challenge. Jerry
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