Your life depends on the quality and condition of travel trailer tires. Without tires, the trip ends. The following will explain the best ways to take care of your travel trailer tires so you and the entire family will be safe on your next expedition.

If traveling by RV isn’t a twelve month a year lifestyle, then odds are your RV is stored for at least a few months a year. While the excitement of hitting the road may grab you as you pull the RV out of storage, a quick once over will save you money and headaches in the long run. If your tires show any signs of bulging, fabric breaks or smoothness around the edges, then it’s probably 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.

Having your tires at the right air pressure level will ensure they don’t wear as quickly. A well balanced load inside the RV will also make sure tires wear evenly and not on one side more than the other. A monthly check is a good rule or every few thousand miles if you’re on a longer trip.

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.

Travel trailer tires will take care of you, if you take care of them. A little inspection goes a long way in regards to your well-being on the road. Take the time to check your travel trailer tires regularly and they will take you wherever you want to go.

*basic info provided by RVSafety.com

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