There are so many different types of caravans on the market and all feature tyres of varying heights, thicknesses and specifications. Most touring trailers and caravans have tyres that are more suited to vans, to be honest, which can leave you unsure about how you should approach changing them. This is a very important skill considering a caravan puncture can be very frustrating to sort as opposed to a conventional car tyre.
We have put together a quick guide on when and how to change a tyre on your caravan, helping you prepare for the dreaded day. Whatever your experience is with tyres, by the end of this guide you should be fully prepared to get your caravan back on the road.
Checking Your Caravan Tyres
How Often Should You Check Your Caravan Tyres?
Checking your tyre health and pressure is an essential part of owning any vehicle and caravans are no different. However, cars, caravan tyres are often placed under more pressure than other vehicles and can also be left stationary for a great deal of time. Together, these factors can lead to increased risk of blowouts or punctures or if your caravan tyres aren't checked properly.
With all this in mind, here are the best practices on how often to check your caravan tyres.
If in use, check your caravan tyres every three weeks – tyres are designed to operate effectively at a very specific pressure, which can quickly alter in just a few weeks of use.
If your caravan has been left stationary for a few weeks, always check tyre status before commencing your journey – when left stationery, the weight of the caravan on a very specific area of the tyre can build up for a long period. This prolonged period of pressure results in a single portion of the tyre becoming weaker than the rest, potentially causing blowouts while on a journey.
There are a few key signs to search for when checking caravan tyres:
Tyre valves – always keep a lookout for valve status and damage. Leaking valves can be frustrating when on a long journey, so always check for air escaping due to a damaged seal.
Visible damage – tyres are also prone to damage after long use. Make sure to check for cuts, cracks and embedded materials which might show signs of puncture threat or weakness.
Tyre pressure – all tyres have an optimal tyre pressure which improves their performance, reduces the risk of punctures and helps maintain the health of the tyres. Manufacturer's recommended tyre pressures are usually stored on a plate or sticker attached to the caravan, or if this is missing, in the operating manual. This is essential as over-inflation can lead to premature wear-and-tear, whilst under-inflation can lead to overheating and blowouts; this is on top of the reduced road performance and increased fuel usage.
Tread – tyre tread is important from a grip perspective, especially during those cold and wet days where the grooves channel the water out from beneath the wheel. Each country has its tread depth regulations, so use this as a guideline to identify when your tread wear is becoming a safety concern.
Temperature – generally, you should only check tyre status and pressure when the tyres are unused and ‘cold'; however, the temperature can also be a threat to tyre health. If you have stopped to do a tyre check and find your tyres especially hot, consider taking a break to allow them to cool down. This is important because increased tyre temperature can increase the air pressure within the tyre too, making the tyre more susceptible to blowouts.
Remember for all your caravan accessories look no further than Bowers Automotive on 01782 590 700 or email us