Tire Wear Indicator Avoid a Blowout
5 TIPS TO HELP SAVE A BAD TIRE FROM RUINING YOUR VACATION Story by Budd Stanley
How many times have you seen this situation at the side of the highway? You’re nearly a hundred kilometres from the nearest town centre, you start to see little bits of black debris on the highway, followed by a fellow RV’er pulled to the side of the road, looking at a blowout with a discern- able look of anguish on their face. A tire blowout is not just a possible trip wrecking event, it is also something that is easily preventable.
Ensuring your tires are in proper working order before you head out onto the highway takes only a few minutes and can save you hours or cursing at the side of the road. Here are 5 easy tips to make sure you are not that poor soul making a tire change en route this summer. And remember, these apply to your spare as well.
1. Ensure you have the right tires. Yes, there is a difference between trailer tires and regular vehicle tires. A tow vehicles tires are designed with a soft sidewall for grip and com-
fort of passengers. These character- istics are a negative for a trailer in tow. Sidewall flexing on trailers, es- pecially those with a high centre of gravity or that carry heavy loads, is a primary cause of trailer sway. The stiffer sidewalls and higher operat- ing pressures common with Special Trailer (ST) designated tires help re- duce trailer sway, and therefore the possibility of a blowout.
Also, consider that Special Trailer, as well as Light Truck (LT) tires are fully rated for the weight you intend to put on them. This means ensuring that ST- and LT-sized tires exceed the weight specifications of your trailer or RV. Weight ratings can be found on the sidewalls of the tire.
2. Inspect your tires for damage reg- ularly. Inspect the sidewalls, tread, valves and caps for nails or any oth- er foreign objects, cuts and bulges, and signs of cracking and weather- ing. Make sure this is done before the road trip begins, and keep a regular check on tires during the
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