Determining the correct pressure to inflate your Rv tires to is an easy but careful task as rvers have recorded a loss of life and tires through tire blowout as a result of failing to know the exact pressure to inflate their tires to or getting the information of the tire pressure from a non-reliable source.
In this article, we will be discussing what pressure to inflate your tires to, how to determine the correct tire pressure, the dangers associated with not inflating your tires properly, and how to monitor your Rv tire pressure among others.
What Should I Inflate My Rv Tires To?
Anywhere between 280 and 550 kPa (35 to 80 PSI) can be used to measure the tire pressure on a typical 16″ RV tire though there are few places to check your minimum and maximum RV tire pressure recommendations such as on the Rv door post, on the tire itself, owners guide, fuel box.
However, these few places might not give you the exact information you need as it provides the minimum and maximum pressure alone unlike a tire and loading sticker which is always placed in the Rv for you to follow as you cannot determine an RV tire pressure just the way you determine that of your car and that is because an Rv tire must be inflated according to the weight of the load the Rv is carrying.
By basing tire inflation on the weight of the load being carried, you can guarantee that your tires will flex properly, be in the right shape, not overheat, and have the strength to support the full weight of your RV without tire patch loss.
How to Determine The Correct Tire Pressure For My Rv?
The basic rule for manufacturers is to ensure that all tires on the same axle are set to the same pressure, but RVs tend to deviate from the normal manufacturers’ plan on the tire and loading sticker because rvers come up with different load styles of packing, especially when rving with kids, and this might endanger the passenger’s life if the pressure remains the same.
But weighing your RV at each tire position is the ideal technique to obtain the tire load data needed to calculate the tire pressure for your RV.
It is incorrect to have the weight of your RV measured at one axle and then use that measurement to calculate the weight of the other side since the load on the side you measured might be significantly more than the other side.
The correct and best course of action is to correctly weigh both and then enter that weight into the tire manufacturer’s inflation chart, which can be found online by searching for the brand and model of your tire. Your exact tire pressure will thereafter be shown by this.
If the weight of the load on one side prevents you from having the same weight on both sides, choose the side with the largest weight and enter it into the chart to determine what the pressures for both tires should be.
What Happens if My Rv Tire Pressure is Properly Inflated?
The RV’s braking system reacts quickly, resulting in optimal vehicle handling and a calm and relaxing ride.
In contrast to the results of overinflated and underinflated tires, which force you to spend your entire life savings on gasoline and tires, optimum tire pressure helps to increase your fuel and tire economy.
What Happens if My Rv Tire Pressure is Too Much?
- The tire surface area does not come into contact properly with the road causing it to wear prematurely.
- The sidewalls and tread of the tire become too rigid making it prone to damage from potholes and limiting the performance and traction of the tire.
- Overinflation causes poor handling and poor braking performance of the Rv.
- It reduces tire rolling resistance causing an increase in gas use.
- It leads to swaying issues.
What Happens if My Rv Tire Pressure is Too Low?
- An underinflated tire is more vulnerable to damage.
- It reduces the lifespan of the tire causing you to spend more on the purchase of new tires.
- The surface comes into contact with the ground causing the car to move sluggishly thereby causing the tire to become hot and blow out.
- It leads to poor fuel management.
How To Monitor My RV’s Tire Pressure
The finest electronic gadget for checking the pressure in your RV tires is a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), which uses sensors mounted on each tire to keep track of the precise air pressure within each one.
Tpms function in such a way that they alert you to tire changes, particularly when your tire pressure is getting low or flat. The sensors transmit the information through a display near the dashboard or an app on your smartphone.
By alerting you to a potential issue that could arise from a tire blowout, the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) reduces the time and money spent on changing and repairing tires while also saving your life.
Only a small percentage of RVs already have this device installed especially the new ones; if your RV doesn’t, find a good one at an auto store nearby.
How Do I Know If TPMS Came with My RV?
Identification of Tpms on your Rv depends on the type of Tpms installed in the Rv. There are two types of TPM systems namely the direct and indirect, though the Direct is the common one.
Factors To Consider When Shopping For a TPMS
Inflating your tire pressure properly or getting a TPMS installed on your system is not enough to keep you safe as getting a quality one from a reliable source. There are a few things to look out for when you want to get a TPMS for your Rv.
– Display
The display of the monitor must be readable in any weather condition and must be large enough that you don’t have to stress your eyes.
– Ease of Installation
When shopping for a TPMS read reviews and comments about it before getting it to know if the device you want to acquire is easy to install for you or not. Most displays are easy to install once you follow the manufacturer’s guide.
– Battery Life Durability and Reliability
Your TPMS battery must have a long life and must be able to function well in any kind of weather condition. It must still be able to read the pressures and temperature of the tires when moving along a rough road.
A high-quality device with a lithium-ion battery has a life span ranging from 4 to 10 years while some batteries are rechargeable and replaceable. However, this system will alert you if the battery life is low and needs to be recharged or replaced.
– Nitrogen-Filled Tires
Get a system whose sensors are designed in a way to work with a nitrogen-filled tire without it being negatively impacted by the tires.
– Cost
When getting a TPM system, you have to be conscious of what your pocket is saying, the type of Rv you have, and the quality you are envisaging.
There are some quality ones that are fairly expensive but can be used for up to 9 years without you having to change anything in it thereby saving you the cost of having to buy batteries every year.
Conclusion
Knowing the exact pressure to inflate your tire is very important for you to have an accident-free summer trip but you must not be in a rush to know the pressure of your tire, being in a rush might cost you your life as you might either over or underinflate it.
