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Tyres
Problems with tyres and how to solve them.
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First of all, motor movers can cause a few problems.
Movers should not be left engaged when not in use, and you should ensure that it is also not engaged when travelling.
The drive rollers dig deeply into the tyres.
These photos show a tyre where the van was moved but the mover had not been totally disconnected.
Movers should not be left engaged when not in use, and you should ensure that it is also not engaged when travelling.
The drive rollers dig deeply into the tyres.
These photos show a tyre where the van was moved but the mover had not been totally disconnected.
Secondly, the tyres on a van or motorhome should be at the correct pressure, which can be found in the handbook. The maximum pressures which are printed on the side of the tyres are not the recommended tyre pressures, bu the maximum level which should not be exceeded. The pressures should be checked every month and also every time you go out in the van, as they can effect fuel economy and also a partially deflated tyre is more likely to split or blow-out.
Thirdly, we have a lot of vans which are brought in where the tyres are too old for purpose. The police and the Motorhome and Caravan Club recommend that they should not exceed five years in age. The date the tyre was manufactured is written on the side wall. It is called the DOT code and is four numbers, i.e. 0717 means 7th week of 2017. The date is only on one side of the tyre, and can be seen on the photo below.
Thirdly, we have a lot of vans which are brought in where the tyres are too old for purpose. The police and the Motorhome and Caravan Club recommend that they should not exceed five years in age. The date the tyre was manufactured is written on the side wall. It is called the DOT code and is four numbers, i.e. 0717 means 7th week of 2017. The date is only on one side of the tyre, and can be seen on the photo below.
Fourthly, caravan wheels should be balanced correctly. When we supply new tyres we always balance them, and would recommend that you do the same. If not balanced it can cause cupboard doors to open, microwaves to fall out, circuit boards to fail, fire fronts to fall off or rattles and their elements to stop working, which is a very common problem. It can also effect the braking system.
Fifthly, having the same age and make of tyre on a caravan is important. Whenever a tyre is replaced, the other tyre on the axle should also be changed even if new. Because if the compound of the tyres are different they will not brake evenly and under heavy braking the caravan will slew. This is so important, we refuse to only replace one tyre (unless it is the spare tyre).
Finally, ensure the weight of the caravan does not exceed the maximum load rating of the tyres or axle, whichever is the lowest.
We never repair caravan tyres and would never advise using a second-hand tyre. Whenever we replace tyres we always balance them and replace the tyre valves. We do not keep tyres in stock, due to them going out of date, but instead order the correct tyres in when it is discovered that new ones are needed. We then aim to get tyres that are within a year of their DOT code.
Fifthly, having the same age and make of tyre on a caravan is important. Whenever a tyre is replaced, the other tyre on the axle should also be changed even if new. Because if the compound of the tyres are different they will not brake evenly and under heavy braking the caravan will slew. This is so important, we refuse to only replace one tyre (unless it is the spare tyre).
Finally, ensure the weight of the caravan does not exceed the maximum load rating of the tyres or axle, whichever is the lowest.
We never repair caravan tyres and would never advise using a second-hand tyre. Whenever we replace tyres we always balance them and replace the tyre valves. We do not keep tyres in stock, due to them going out of date, but instead order the correct tyres in when it is discovered that new ones are needed. We then aim to get tyres that are within a year of their DOT code.