All of you who know me, know that RV Nana would not leave home without my Coach-net Roadside Assistance membership card in my wallet. Yes, there are many really good roadside assistance plans on the market, but this one is, in my opinion, the best for the RV owner. At PPL Motorhomes we have been selling the Coach-net Roadside Assistance plan for years and have heard some great stories from our customers. In addition, many of us have the coverage ourselves and have experienced, first hand, how good it is. Needless to say, my team believes in this product. In addition, we have all seen that there is one thing that sets Coach-net apart from many other roadside assistance plans… They really care about their customers… and it shows.
I received the following tire safety information from Coach-net in a recent email and wanted to share that with all of you. Tires are often the most needed and most neglected parts of our vehicles. I hope the following information will help you travel safely.
(Re-printed with permission from Coach-net via RVDailyReport.com)
Coach-Net offers the following tire maintenance fundamentals for all motorists, particularly drivers of RVs and other heavy-duty vehicles:
Check your tires’ air pressure – Check the air pressure every two weeks, or at least once a month and before any major trip. Look for over- or under-inflation. Proper tire inflation is essential for safe and efficient vehicle operation. Vehicles with properly inflated tires experience optimum ride and handling characteristics, shorter braking distances, longer tire life and improved fuel economy.
Inspect your tires’ tread – Inspect your tires for abnormal wear or damage. Look for fraying, scalloping, cupping or any kind of uneven wear, and take it as a life-saving warning sign. Inspect tires for uneven wear patterns on the tread, cracks, foreign objects or other signs of wear or trauma. Remove bits of glass and other foreign objects wedged in the tread, and be sure there are no leaks after removing any debris.
Rotate, align and balance your tires – Regularly rotating your RV’s tires will help you achieve more uniform wear. A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can throw your front end out of alignment and damage your tires. Have an RV dealer check the alignment periodically to ensure that your vehicle is properly aligned.
Don’t overload your vehicle – Overweight RVs lead to axle problems, accelerated suspension wear and failure, and tire failure. Be aware of the recommended size and load range of your tires and whether they are suitable for your weight needs. If you are unsure, check your owner’s manual or tire information placard. Aim for even weight distribution throughout your RV. If for some reason that’s not possible, tires on the same axle should still be inflated to the same pressure.
Invest in tire covers – Over time, the sun’s heat rots your tires, creating cracks; tire covers are a great way to protect this damage from happening. During long pit stops, throw on the covers to give the tires a break and use them on your RV during the off season.
Keep track of your tires’ age – RV tires age out before they wear out in most cases. Once a tire reaches five to seven years of age, they should be inspected by a tire professional annually for signs that they’re failing. The industry generally agrees that after 10 years, especially when the tires are heavily loaded, they should be replaced regardless of wear.
“Eighty-three percent of U.S. motorists do not properly check tire pressure, and each year, there are nearly 11,000 tire-related crashes nationwide resulting in nearly 200 fatalities,” he added. “Now is a good time for RV owners and other vehicle drivers to perform checks on their vehicle’s tires, including the spare, and to get into the habit of taking five minutes every month to repeat those checks.
There you have it folks. I don’t have to tell you that you have a lot riding on your tires. They are the only physical connection between you and the road. Apart from the large amount of money you have invested in your motorhome, travel trailer or fifth-wheel, safety for you and your family while driving begins where the rubber meets the road.
If you have any questions, or concerns about the tires of nor RV, don’t hesitate to contact PPL Motorhomes.
Safe Travels!