Nothing is more frightening then traveling down the road in your RV or travel trailer and experiencing a blowout. At that point, with adrenaline flowing, what you do to control the vehicle is of utmost importance. However, the most important thing is knowing how to prevent these blowouts in the first place.
There are several key things that can contribute to a blowout. Being aware of them and doing everything in your power to prevent these things will go a long way in keeping you and your family safe.
So here are the top reasons for blowouts happening and how to prevent them.
Excessive Heat
When tires heat up too much it means trouble. One of the most common reasons for excessive heat in tires are over- or under-inflating tires, driving faster than is advisable for your tire’s specifications, or overloading the tires with more weight than they are built to take.
Checking tire pressures and not overloading your RV or trailer before hitting the road are two of the easiest and quickest things to do to prevent a disaster from happening.
Once on the road, maintaining the proper speed specified by your tire’s rating is something that should be adhered to in order to keep you, your family, and everyone else on the road with you safe.
Axle Alignment Issues
Sometimes detecting axle alignment isn’t as easy as just physically looking at your trailer or RV. There are many parts involved that can throw off the axle alignment and cause your tires to wear and ultimately cause a blowout.
If you’re the handy type then physically getting down and dirty and checking all aspects of the vehicle’s axle is something that should be done on a regular basis before hitting the road.
If you’re not the handy type then make sure you get the axles inspected regularly at a certified RV and trailer service and repair shop like Crossroads Trailer Sales’ Service department. Click here to make an appointment today!
Overloaded Trailer
In the excitement of packing up the trailer and getting ready for an adventure, very few of us actually think about how much all our stuff weighs. Most people just think they couldn’t possibly be overloading such a big trailer but the truth is all that stuff adds up fast.
Overloading the trailer or RV too close to or past the vehicle’s suggested weight can cause it to be hard to control and ultimately lead to a blowout. Always being aware of how much weight you’re adding to your RV or trailer and keeping it in the middle of the suggested weight distribution can make a big difference when it comes to the health of your tires.
Tires Touching
Tires touching usually happens when there is an issue with the suspension. Making sure you check this out regular along with the axle alignment can also prevent an unfortunate tire blowout.
Incorrect Tire Size
If you bought your trailer or RV new then this more than likely won’t be an issue. However, it is possible that the tires on your trailer are not the correct size if you bought the vehicle used.
Always make sure that you check the vehicle information for the correct tire size and double check that everything is as it should be. Driving with the wrong tire size for the vehicle can cause blowouts.
Tire Pressure Issues (too little or too much)
This one is more common than most think. Driving with too much or too little air causes stress on the tires and can cause them to overheat or wear out quickly causing unexpected blowouts.
It is always a great habit to check the tire pressures on your vehicle regularly and make sure they match the recommended pressures in the vehicle’s manual.
Bad Tire Condition (too old or poor condition)
This one seems an obvious point but if you check the RV’s and trailers parked in any rest stop it probably won’t be long before you find a few that have scary looking tires on them.
Tires that are worn down, very old and brittle, or just in overall poor condition are just asking for a blowout. Check your tires often for signs of wear and tear. Also, even if they look okay but you know you’ve had those tires for years, you may want to invest in a new set of tires just to be sure. Tires get old and brittle over time especially if they are in a very hot or cold climate.
Being aware of all of the above and doing your best to circumvent these issues before getting on the road can mean the difference between having a safe trip or one that has more adventure than you signed up for.
If you’re driving an RV and you have a blowout there are specific ways to handle the situation that can save your life. Check out this video from Michelin Tires for more information on how to get back in control when experiencing a blowout.
Looking for your next RV, Travel Trailer, Fifth Wheel, Destination, or Horse Trailer? Does your current RV need to be serviced? Contact Crossroads Trailers to find your next RV or book your service today! Click the button below to contact us today!