Tire Safety

On a recent camping trip, we were absolutely amazed at how many trailers (campers, boats, etc) were on the side of the road with either flat or blown out tires.  There are some simple steps that you can take to help ensure that you don’t have tire issues while on the road.  

Maintaining the proper tire pressure is important for several reasons other than just reducing the potential risk of a blowout or flat tire.  Tire pressure needs to be at the proper inflation level on your tow vehicle as well as your tiny camper.  Even a tire that doesn’t appear to be low can result in reduced vehicle handling, excessive tread wear, decreased fuel efficiency, increased braking distances, etc.  Prior to our most recent camping trip, our first stop was at a local Belle Tire store.  Our tire pressure was a bit low and we know that they have free air and you can use their gauges if you don’t have one.  We also learned that if we need air in our trailer tires to go in and ask for a different air hose.  The outside free air machine doesn’t have enough “oomph” to inflate a tire to 50 p.s.i. which our trailer tires need.  One of the crew happily came out with his own gauge and air hose and inflated the tires to the proper level.  He was done in about 2 minutes.  

Tires that are not at the correct air pressure increase the rolling resistance, i.e., friction when it moves.  Under inflated tires result in more friction which requires more energy (or fuel) to move the tiny camper or tow vehicle.  According to the Department of Energy, properly inflated tires improves your fuel economy by approximately 3.3%.  While it may not seem like much, over the course of a year, that could result in a fuel savings of over $50 which could be used on awesome camping equipment.  It’s important to not over inflate the tires though because that can reduce the handling performance of the vehicle since less rubber/tread is in contact with the road.  

Underinflated tires can also result in excessive or uneven tread wear which compromises the ability of the tires to perform.  When thinking about tiny campers (or any trailer),  this can cause the tires to fail sooner than expected.  When a tire is under inflated, the tire sidewalls flex excessively, which generates extra heat.  While additional moderate heat accelerates tire tread wear, high heat can lead to a blowout. 

Perform a tire inspection

Along with checking your tire pressure, also look for signs of excessive wear, cracks in the sidewalls, or something embedded in the tire, such as a nail or screw.  Tires that are often left unused in the sun (as can happen with tiny trailers) can crack due to the sunlight and freezing temperatures.  The rubber actually dries out and cracks start to appear.  To check the tread depth use the “penny” test.  Take a United States penny and place it with President Lincoln's head into the grooves of the tread of the tire.  As long as part of his head is covered by the  tread, you likely have an adequate tread on your tire.  Check the tread depth in several places (inside of tire to outside of tire) so you can spot uneven tread patterns.  If you see President Lincoln’s full head in some locations, then it’s best to get new tires.  

How to determine the proper tire pressure of your tow vehicle

For checking the tire pressure on your tow vehicle, it’s best to refer to the owner’s manual or the tire specification decal located on the driver side door frame.  Many tire experts do not recommend using the pressure that is molded into the tire sidewall because that indicates the pressure needed to meet the tire’s full rated load carrying capacity and it is not specific to your vehicle.  

Be aware that the tow vehicle tire specifications may vary from front to rear tires as well as when the vehicle is fully loaded or just being used for extended highway driving.  Higher pressures typically increase the load capacity and reduce heat buildup.  If you use a pickup truck or SUV, note that you may have tires marked “LT,” light-truck tires.  The recommended inflation pressure for light truck tires varies significantly depending on your vehicle’s load and usage.  

Note that the manufacturer may also list a "hot" pressure, for when tires are warm and a "cold" pressure if you've driven just a few miles (such as from your home to the gas station to check your tire pressure). 

How to determine the proper tire pressure of your tiny camper

Trailer specific tires are marked with “ST” on the sidewalls of the tire. If your tiny camper has tires specifically designed for trailer use, then it’s best to inflate the tires to the pressure that is indicated on the sidewall of the tire.  Trailer tires are designed to be on the following vehicle and they are different from a vehicle tire.  They have thicker sidewalls to help handle debris or other objects that may be thrown at them; however, they typically have less tread.  They are also designed to accommodate the sway that some trailers experience.  Our teardrop has trailer specific tires and it is recommended to inflate them to 50 p.s.i.  (pounds per square inch).  

How to check your tire pressure

You can check your tire pressure at home as long as you have an air pressure gauge.  These are inexpensive items and can be found at auto parts stores, gas stations, some grocery stores, etc.  Many gas stations have one that you can borrow, if needed.  We purchased an inexpensive, electronic air pressure gauge and leave it in the door pocket of the tow vehicle so we always know where it is.  

To check the air pressure, remove the end caps on the valve stems of your tires (don’t lose them!).  Place the tire pressure gauge into the valve stem and press down quickly to get a reading.  Check the p.s.i. reading and comparing the reading to the recommended p.s.i.  Check your trailer tires, your tow vehicle tires, and any spare tires that you normally travel with.

• If the reading is above the recommendation, push in the valve to let out some air.

• If the reading is below the recommendation, fill your tire with air until you’ve reached the recommended pressure.

A few minutes each month

• Check tire pressures regularly at the beginning of the month and always before a camping trip.

• Check the pressures before driving when tires have been at rest and are not hot.

• An increased pressure reading (typically 2 to 6 psi higher) is normal when tires are hot.

• Use a quality pressure gauge. Dial and digital gauges are more accurate and cost $10 to $20.

• Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended inflation pressures and not the pressure molded into the tire sidewall. If recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, increase tire pressures for towing, carrying heavy loads, or extended highway travel.

• If your tiny camper has trailer tires, “ST,” then inflate tires to the level indicated on the sidewall.  

If you’re still uncomfortable checking your own tire pressures then visit your local tire dealer or mechanic.  They are usually happy to assist and answer any questions you may have.  Plus, in our experience, they love to come out and see our teardrop!