TIRE TIPS from Coach-Net
SOUTHLAKE, Texas — Coach-Net is reminding motorists to
follow tire safety practices. Tire maintenance plays a big role in RV safety
and can make the difference when it comes to a safe and smooth drive, said
David Ostlund, president of Coach-Net. “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….”
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.
Additionally, to help cushion the
blow of those unexpected expenses, Coach-Net’s Hazard Protect product, part of
the company’s Protect Suite, which is available through RV dealers nationwide.
It provides comprehensive tire and wheel hazard protection.
With terms available from one to
seven years, Hazard Protect covers all types of new and used recreational
vehicles from common road hazards such as metal, nails, screws, potholes, glass
and debris, the release explained.
For more information, visit www.Coach-Net.com.
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