At Coach Specialists, we have seen it all. We know the worst types of damage that can happen to an RV and we know how to fix that damage. Tire blowouts are one of the most common forms of travel trailer damage we see at Coach Specialists. Travel trailer tire blowout can be expensive to replace or repair. Often, the cost can be anywhere from $1,000 to $25,000 and RV insurance does not typically cover the cost to fix or replace the tires damaged, only damage as a result of the blowout.
At Coach, we understand that not everyone has the money to cover the costs of tire repairs for this type of vehicle. We also understand that not everyone has the time to leave their trailer at a shop for days waiting for someone to get to their RV before someone else’s insurance work. So, we want to give you some advice on how to get more out of your travel trailer’s tires. Below, we will talk about some of the ways you can prolong the life of your RV’s tires. Sometimes, all you need is a little TLC, so here are some tips to maximize your tire’s lifespan:
Getting More out of Your Travel Trailer’s Tires
There are so many effective ways of keeping your RV’s tires well maintained so you never have to worry about a dangerous blowout during your trip to the beach this summer.
Keep Your Trailer’s Tired Inflated
Keeping your travel trailer’s tires properly inflated is essential to keeping them healthy. Your tires are (hopefully) the only parts of your making contact with the road. If they are not properly inflated, your RV can potentially end up dragging the road causing severe damage. A properly inflated tire will provide less contact with the road than an under-inflated one, allowing for less heat build-up and continued tire damage. This is why it is so important to keep the tires filled with air.
Using a pressure gauge, check that your tires are inflated to the proper PSI (per square inch). You should be checking this number every time you decide to take your RV on a trip. To add an extra layer of safety, check the tires before and after each trip. The best time to check and inflate your travel trailer’s tires is when they are cold. If you constantly keep your tires inflated, they will wear evenly over time. They will also be easier to handle and you will get better gas mileage.
Perform Regular Checks for Punctures or Debris
Another way to lengthen the life of your tires can be completed while you are making sure your tires are properly inflated. This tip requires you to be your own quality assurance representative. Checking your tires for punctures after your most recent trip is a great way to protect your travel trailer’s tires. Different camp or parking grounds where you park your RV can have a lot of sharp or potentially harmful debris. This debris can become embedded in your tires without you noticing. Look for nails, tacks, even sharp pieces of metal or wood rooted into the rubber. IT is better to check and notice something small like this before a tire is blown. Often, punctured tired can be repaired with a patch or plug, so it is good to find these nuisances early before they become worse.
Stop the Speeding
Not only is speeding in any vehicle (let alone a large RV) not safe, it also damages your tires. The higher the speed, the more heat generated. When more heat is generated, the rate at which your tires are worn down is accelerated. Simply increasing your speed anywhere from 50 mph to 75 mph can reduce tread mileage by up to 20 percent. The decrease in tread mileage is consistent with the rate at which you increase your speed. So, only speed up when absolutely necessary. Your travel trailer’s tires will thank you and you will be a lot safer.
Keep Your Trailer Properly Aligned
Another common cause of tire wear is poor vehicle alignment. The explanation is simple really: Increased wear on the tire will occur of all four tires are not facing straight ahead. When your tires are not aligned correctly, tread wear occurs on different parts of the tires. Come in to see our technicians at Coach regularly for alignments. Having a properly aligned travel trailer can increase your tire’s mileage by nearly 30 percent. Stick to a regular alignment schedule and you will definitely see an improvement in the health of your tires.
Rotate Your RV’s Tires Often
A good practice to get into is regularly rotating your tires every other time you have your oil changed. This process takes time and effort but having it done promotes even tread wear. This can lead to prolonged tire life for your travel trailer.
Do you have any suggestions or questions regarding a travel trailer’s tire damage? At Coach Specialists, we would be more than happy to answer your questions about RV repair. It’s our specialty! Our technicians are highly trained in all areas relating to the RV industry. Not only do we cover tire damage, but we also offer water/fire damage repair, hail damage repair, roof restoration and countless other services. We have locations in Dallas, Plano, and Denton, Texas for your convenience. We know you want to spend less time in the shop and more time on the road. Our goal is to efficiently get your trailer in and out as fast as possible! So, contact Coach Specialists today for your RV repair needs.