When it comes to RV maintenance, tire care is a crucial aspect that often gets overlooked. Many RV owners wonder if their tires need to be rotated, just like those on their regular vehicles. This question is more complex than it might seem at first glance, involving factors such as wear patterns, axle alignment, and overall tire longevity.
A video from the Keep Your Daydream channel dives deep into this topic.
1. The Debate on RV Tire Rotation
While some argue that RV tires don’t need rotation due to equal weight distribution and lack of drive axles, others believe it’s a necessary maintenance step. The video’s host shares his personal opinion:
“In reality, there’s no reason to rotate trailer tires because there’s no drive axle and there’s no steer axle and there’s just as many right turns as left turns.”
However, he goes on to explain why he still recommends rotation:
“I think I’ve come to the conclusion… that there could always be a little bearing issue, there could be a little misalignment in an axle where a tire on a trailer is going to wear differently than the rest.”
Who knew RV tires could be such drama queens, demanding equal treatment and rotation like they’re on some sort of tire carousel?
2. Annual Tire Inspection
The video emphasizes the importance of annual tire inspections:
“I think every spring or once a year to go in and check the tread pattern and see how they’re wearing and then possibly rotate if you do have a misalignment.”
This practice allows RV owners to catch potential issues early and address them before they become major problems.
It’s like giving your RV tires an annual physical – just don’t expect them to say “aah” when you check their tread depth!
3. Tire Inflation: Load vs. Max Cold
The video discusses the ongoing debate about tire inflation:
“This is like the most debated thing on the internet when it comes to tow RVs and that is do you inflate your tires to the load or do you just go Max cold.”
The host shares his preference for inflating to the load rather than maximum cold pressure:
“I don’t want any unnecessary wear and tear done on the RV… why do I want all the screws and the rivets and the plumbing and the toilet why do I want it to have that rigid ride?”
Who knew air pressure could be such a hot topic? It’s like the great pineapple-on-pizza debate of the RV world!
4. Tire Shop Communication
The video emphasizes the importance of clear communication with tire shops:
“If you choose to inflate your tires based upon the load and not Max cold, you’re going to have to say something because a tire shop is going to inflate a trailer and they consider a tow RV a trailer and not an RV.”
This tip can help ensure your tires are inflated to your preferred pressure and that the balancing weights are placed correctly on your wheels.
It’s like teaching a foreign language to your tire shop – “Speak RV to me, baby!”
5. Regular Maintenance and Preparedness
The video stresses the importance of regular maintenance and being prepared for tire emergencies:
“Anytime you get new Wheels tires or a new RV it’s good to just make sure you have everything you need to change a spare tire.”
The host recommends checking that all necessary tools are present and compatible with your specific RV setup.
It’s like packing for a camping trip – you never know when you’ll need that tire iron or that emergency s’mores kit!
In conclusion, while the necessity of rotating RV tires may be debatable, regular inspections and proper maintenance are crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable RV experience. Don’t forget to watch the full video for more in-depth information and tips on RV tire care.
