I had to get the hubs to help on this post because this is his department. In this post, we'll dive into the importance of tire upkeep and how to avoid the pitfalls that could jeopardize your journey.

As any seasoned RV enthusiast knows, the joy of the open road comes with its share of responsibilities, particularly when it comes to maintaining your vehicle's tires. One common yet critical mistake that can turn a dream adventure into a roadside nightmare is neglecting regular tire inspections and maintenance. Overlooking this essential aspect of RV care can lead to uneven wear, blowouts, and even dangerous driving conditions.

We had to learn the hard way on this one and want to help you avoid this mistake with your Rv Tires.

Our RV Tire mistake-oopsie!

The day we pulled out we noticed our tires were a little low on air. Now, when we first went to look at this rig, the tires looked fine as it was stationary since they had been purchased. We were also only moving it 5-miles down the road and it was unloaded.

Garret started filling the tires with air and as he was doing this, he was also putting on a tire pressure monitoring system that replaces that valve cap.. more about that later.

On one of the tires, he noticed the valve stem was a bit dry rotted and as he was tightening the tire pressure monitor, he spun the whole valve stem right off releasing all the air from the tire.

We had to call a tow company to assist with the changing of the tire as we didn’t have the proper equipment to do so.. more about that later as well.

So, after two hours we were off…………… to get new tires. We left the keys and made it to the mainland, Homestead, FL, and stopped at the Tire Kingdom, who so graciously accommodated us by doing it in the parking lot still attached to our truck. We are now 4 hours and $700 into getting back out on the road. 

what we learned

We got a few lessons learned fairly quickly and luckily, nothing catastrophic happened.

Lesson #1 Always, always, always check your tires no matter the situation. Even if you’ve heard this numerous times, I will reiterate it. CHECK YOUR TIRES!

It turns out that the tires on the rig, even though it is 2015, were manufactured in 2012

Lesson #2. Have the proper equipment for your size rig for changing a tire and have it readily available in the vehicle somewhere.

 In most areas, you can get AAA or your insurance company to get roadside assistance, but in some areas, you cannot. I bought an 8-ton bottle jack (16,000 lb.) and a 4-way tire iron, that way I can use it on our truck and it will be more than sufficient to lift our loaded rig. This is one t we purchased HERE 

Also…..

Make sure you get the right bottle jack for the weight of your RV as they all weigh differently. Our rig weights in just a little under 8600 lb. and loaded probably add another 1,000 lbs. to that. Another good piece of equipment if you’re a full-timer and travel around a lot, is a good air compressor. Make sure it can fill the tires on your vehicle as well as the RV. This one Here came highly recommended without having a full-on bed-mounted air compressor.

I mentioned the Tire Pressure Monitoring System or TPMS earlier and I wouldn’t travel without it, especially since we have an older model truck. Most newer vehicles have a TPMS, which is great, but it doesn’t monitor your RV tires.

The system we bought comes with the display and 4 TPMS sensors which relay, not only the tire pressure but also the temperature. We of course ordered 8 sensors as our truck is a 2000 model. We went with this monitoring system Here  It is much cheaper if you already have a TPMS, but for us, the money spent for the display and 8 sensors is worth every penny.

Better Safe than sorry

Ensuring the safety and longevity of your RV tires is paramount to enjoying your travels without unnecessary interruptions. By staying vigilant with regular inspections, proper inflation, and mindful driving habits, you can avoid the common mistakes that lead to tire failures. Remember, a little preventive maintenance goes a long way in preserving not just your tires, but the entire RV experience. Safe travels and happy adventures, knowing your tires are in top shape for the road ahead!