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caravan and motorhome batteries

Ten Year-old Tyre Ban

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Ten-year-old Tyre Ban

Ten-year-old Tyre Ban

Of course, this ban does not yet apply to car tyres

though it may be worth watching this space. It always amazes me that a law has to be introduced to stop these things from happening.

However, there are very old tyres fitted to vehicles out there, just ready to cause an accident. So, I have found that particular types of vehicles are prone to having old tyres fitted.

One that springs to mind is the caravan and trailer scenario. For some strange reason, caravan owners keep their tyres fitted the longest. Many have their caravans parked up for much of the time.

So, only travelling for their annual vacations

and actually driving the caravan and using mileage on the tyres. Many caravans do change and indeed upgrade their caravans to  better models, but many do not.

These are the ones most likely to have over-aged tyres fitted. Indeed, one tyre that we removed from a caravan wheel was a 21-year-old Michelin ZX tyre.

Of course, the telltale sign

is to look for crazy paving-type cracking in the side wall and bead area of the tyre. Tyre guys are also familiar with the tyre brands that have been introduced over the years. This is why we spotted this Michelin ZX tyre. They were, in fact, good tyres, but not that good?

Pellon Tyres have now joined Tyresafe.org to promote tyre safety across the UK

Tyres aged over ten-years fitted to front-steered axles of goods vehicles with a weight exceeding 3,500kg, buses, coaches and minibuses are now illegal after new legislation came into force this week. MOT test stations have been

Source: Ten-year-old tyre ban takes effect

6 Reasons to check your Caravan Tyres

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6 Reasons to check your Caravan Tyres

6 Reasons to check your Caravan Tyres
6 Reasons to check your Caravan Tyres

6 Reasons to check your Caravan Tyres

Of course, many caravanners make the journey to see their loved ones at Christmas time. Importantly, caravan owners should check their tyres regularly to ensure that they are in good condition and properly inflated. It is important to check the tyre pressure regularly, as underinflated tyres can cause problems such as poor handling, increased tyre wear, and a reduction in fuel efficiency.

It is also a good idea to visually inspect the tyres for any signs of damage, such as cuts, bulges, or uneven wear. If any of these problems are found, the tyre should be replaced as soon as possible to ensure the safety of the caravan.

Overall, regular tyre maintenance is an important part of ensuring the safety and reliability of a caravan.

tpms for run flat tyres

TPMS is an addition to caravan tyre safety

Of course, the introduction of TPMS has resulted in a massive increase in tyre safety in recent years. Tyre pressure monitoring systems have increased the safety labels on all vehicles. Caravans, if equipped, are included.

TPMS, or tyre pressure monitoring systems, were first developed in the early 1990s by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) .In response to a congressional mandate to improve vehicle safety.

The technology was initially introduced in luxury vehicles and eventually became standard on all vehicles sold in the United States and now the United Kingdom, starting in 2008.

As a result, the TPMS system consists of sensors mounted on each wheel and a dashboard warning light that alerts the driver when tyre pressure falls outside of a safe range. The TPMS system also helps to improve fuel efficiency, including extended tyre life, and vehicle safety by alerting the driver when tyre pressure is too low, which can cause the tyre to overheat and potentially fail.

Well worth thinking about as an extra for your caravan’s safety.

6 Reasons to check your Caravan Tyres

  1. Overloading: Caravan tyres are designed to carry a specific weight, and if the caravan is overloaded, it can put too much strain on the tyres, leading to premature wear and tear.
  2. Underinflation: Caravan tyres need to be properly inflated to ensure that they can handle the load they are carrying. If the tyres are underinflated, it can cause them to wear out more quickly and may also affect the handling of the caravan.
  3. Damage: Caravan tires can be damaged by road debris, such as potholes, sharp rocks, or other objects that can puncture or cut the tire.
  4. Age: Like all tyres, caravan tyres have a limited lifespan and will eventually need to be replaced. As they age, they can become more prone to problems, such as dry rot, which can cause the tyre to become brittle and prone to failure.
  5. Incorrect alignment: If the caravan’s wheels are not properly aligned, it can cause the tyres to wear out more quickly and may also affect the handling of the caravan.

6 Incorrect tyre size: Using the wrong size of tyre on a caravan can cause problems, such as poor handling and increased tyre wear. It is important to use the correct size and type of tyre as specified by the manufacturer

caravan and motorhome batteries

Check Your caravan Tyres-This includes Motorhome tyres- before your journey

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Check Your caravan Tyres

Check Your CARAVAN TYRES

Tyre experts recommend that owners of any trailed vehicles should remove the complete wheel or wheels .Then take them to their favourite garage or auto centre. Then have them checked by a professional member of the team. It is important that the wheels  are given a thorough inspection, this will ensure the safest possible outcome.

So, Check Your CARAVAN tyres. and MOTORHOME TYRES . The most common thing found on caravan tyres is sidewall cracking. This usually only comes to light when the tyre is removed. We can flex the sidewall with the tyre removed from the wheel, and this will show the extent of the cracking. This problem is due to the affect of ultra-violet light acting on the carbon black. This is in the make up of the tyre when the caravan is parked, and is more common on Old Michelin tyres.     

This information also applies to motor-homes.

The wheels will be checked for corrosion. Then the tyres will be removed from the wheels and checked for internal cuts and damage. This is most important as unseen damage can become a nightmare scenario. Especially, when going down a motorway at sixty mile per hour and losing complete control due to tyre failure.

The tyre dealer will then Check Your vehicles tyres regularly, the outside of the for damage to the tread area and the sidewalls for cuts and cracks. Also important is to check the age of the tyre, this can be easily done by an expert fitter. Tyres do become out of date after six years and are affected by aging in the sidewalls.

Check Your caravan Tyres

Check Your CARAVAN Tyres As stated above, cracks start to form around the rim area due to the caravan wheels been stood in the Sun for long hours. Especially, during the Summer months. And eventually the carbon black, that is used in the manufacture of the caravan  tyres, starts to break down.

Small but deep cracks start to form around the rim area. This will eventually join up to create a very dangerous hazard. Indeed this is one of the most common cause for tyre blowouts on caravans and trailers. Any caravan tyres with cracks and cuts should be scrapped and replaced with a new tyre. Finally if everything is OK the pressures and tyre valves should be checked to the correct loading for your vehicle and trailer.

Another important point is to have the vehicle loading checked on your caravan tyres.

to make sure that the wheel setup conforms to your caravan’s or trailer’s recommended weight carrying capacity. Some of the larger, heavier vehicles require more heavy-duty tyres to carry the extra load; your tyre dealer will advise you on the correct fitments by advising you to fit either reinforced or larger ply rated ones.
Check Your CARAVAN tyres and pressures, which should always be checked and adjusted when the pressures are cold before every journey. If in doubt, replace them with new and correct caravan tyres.

2020 Update

At the present time, the caravan/motorhome market has hit the roof. Henceforth, so has the tyre market for these types of vehicles. So, it is even more important to fit the correct tyres on these vehicles. Of course, the main consideration is the weight that these vehicles will carry! Especially when loaded up ready for the holidays.

Most drivers of these vehicles are responsible and do buy the correct tyres. Indeed, tyre companies now make special tyres for these vehicles. Michelin tyres are a good example. Hence, offering the Michelin Agilis Camping tyre range.

Here’s a great Email that a kind customer sent about this subject:

Dear Mr. Roberts

I recently came across a blog which appears to be headed by you.  The content was of great interest to me. So, for a large number of years, have had a 1988 Ford Transit Mk III AutoSleeper motorhome.

Which, I had bought it to try and improve on the lack of guts of an earlier Mk II Transit and to avoid the types of construction which led to continual water leaks!

I therefore pulled this Mk III Transit to pieces, using hands far more competent than myself, and fitted a 2.9 EFi V6 Ford engine with all ancillaries plus heavy duty clutch and gearbox.

Importantly, I then fitted a sub-frame with front axle, rear axle, running gear and anti roll bars etc.  derived from a later heavy duty Transit and added adjustable dampers.

They were made in France.

I enquired of Technical Dept. at Michelin of the pressures I should run at and gave the weighbridge weights for my vehicle fully laden.  Particularly emphasizing that it was single rear wheel axle set up. 

They assured me, particularly the rear tyres, should run at 42psi. So,  I questioned this but assurance was given again. Needless to say, with that pressure in the rear tyres, they looked as thought they had a puncture and would be unsafe to drive on! 

The bullion vans were running 62psi minimum on the rear and I therefore put similar pressure in my rear tyres to put the matter right.  This achieved transformation.

I therefore enjoyed my family trips to the West of Ireland and back many times and found the journeys comparatively relaxing compared with the trips in the previous Transit.

An MOT inspector commented that the vehicle was a delight to drive and asserted that it felt more like a high performance car than a motorhome. 

He further added that most people merely stuffed a more powerful engine into a vehicle and did little more, but I had created a completely new vehicle by altering the specification so that everything gelled together to create something that  might have come out of the factory.

I only had two problems with the tyres:  the first not really with the tyre, was that I suffered a burst tyre valve (fortunately when the vehicle was stationary).  I did write to the motoring press.  They seemed to treat me as a crank and were unwilling to make the public aware of the dangers.

 I fitted steel valves and solved the problem. Check Your caravan Tyres

Check Your caravan Tyres

I noted in the motoring press, after about 3 years, an increasing number of letters. Advising motorhome owners who had gone down the motorway on their side or roof through a blowout. That they should fit steel valves when running high pressure!

The other problem I had, on a trip via Galloway:  I woke up one morning on campsite. So, to find that one rear tyre appeared very soft.  I went to the local tyre distributor! And estimated that I would receive my pension book before they got to attend to me! 

I therefore put some air in the tyre and monitored it.  It held pressure perfectly.  When I got home, however, the mechanic who helps me. Indicated that one rear tyre had been cut deeply in the groove of the tread (almost as though with a Stanley knife). 

He agreed with me however that it appeared to be tyre failure rather than sabotage.  I merely fitted a replacement to match the others.

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