Safeguarding Your Journeys with Effective Tyre Care

Travelling around Australia with your own home of wheels is freedom! Whether you’re embarking on a road trip or planning a weekend getaway, maintaining the tyres on your motorhome is essential for safety and ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey.

Your motorhome’s tyres support the vehicle’s weight. They provide good grip and traction and absorb all the bumps and thumps that come with travelling during your ride. Neglecting your tyres can lead to poor road handling, significantly reduce fuel efficiency, and cause dreaded blowouts.

So, they’re playing a primary role for your safety on the road. Here are some essential tips to keep them in the spotlight:

REGULAR INSPECTIONS

Regularly inspecting your motorhome tyres is the first step in ensuring they remain in optimal condition.

Measure the tread depth using a tread depth gauge or the tread wear indicator bars moulded into the tyre. Australia’s legal minimum tread depth is 1.5mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. If the tread depth is near that limit, it’s time to shop for new tyres.

Check the tyre sidewalls and tread surface for cuts, bulges, cracks, bubbles, or other visible signs of damage. Remove any stones, nails, or other debris embedded in the tread.

Consider the age of your tyres, even if they look in good shape, because this can still affect their performance. Most manufacturers recommend replacing tyres every five to seven years, regardless of wear.

CORRECT INFLATION

Maintaining the correct tyre pressure is crucial for safety, fuel efficiency, and tyre longevity. Under pressure or too much pressure can damage the tyres. All the tyres on your motorhome must be correctly inflated, even your spare wheel!

For the recommended tyre pressure, refer to your motorhome’s owner manual or a sticker often located inside the driver’s door or fuel filler flap. This information may also be available on the tyre sidewall. Make sure you adjust the pressure according to the weight of your motorhome.

You can invest in a trusty pressure gauge (such as a TPMS: Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) and check your tyre pressure at least once a month, especially before long journeys or when the tyres are cold (i.e., not recently driven).

AVOID OVERLOADING

Overloading your motorhome can strain tyres excessively, leading to premature wear and potential safety hazards.

There are weight limits to know and adhere to. Indeed, if your motorhome weighs more than 4.5 tonnes (usually the 8-berth motorhomes or buses), you will require a special Light Rigid (LR) or Medium Rigid (MR) licence.

Distribute weight evenly within the motorhome and avoid carrying unnecessary items that add unnecessary weight.

ROTATE TYRES REGULARLY

Rotating tyres helps promote even wear, extending lifespan and improving overall vehicle performance.

Rotate tyres every 10,000 to 12,000 kilometres or as the manufacturer recommends. You can also follow the specific rotation pattern recommended in your motorhome’s owner manual. Tyres are usually rotated from front to back and vice versa to ensure even wear.

Consider replacing tyres every 6 to 10 years, even if they appear to have sufficient tread depth.

WHEEL ALIGNMENT

Proper wheel alignment is essential for ensuring that your motorhome handles correctly and that the tyres wear evenly.

Watch for signs of misalignment, such as uneven tyre wear, steering wheel vibration, or if you notice the vehicle pulling to one side of the road. It’s recommended to check the wheel alignment annually or whenever you notice any signs of misalignment, especially after hitting potholes or curbs.

SEASONAL ADJUSTMENTS

Australia experiences varied weather conditions across different regions and seasons, impacting tyre performance and safety.

During warmer weather conditions, tyres are more susceptible to heat-related issues such as losing pressure quickly. To prevent this from happening, check your tyre pressure more often. In addition, the heat can accelerate the wear of the tyres, so make sure you look at them before hitting the road. Store the motorhome in a shaded area or use covers to protect tyres from direct sunlight, which could accelerate tyre aging and deterioration.

In colder climates or during winter, you can notice a drop in the pressure of your tyres, especially if you haven’t been driving much. Roads can be wetter or icy, so they must have sufficient tread depth to maintain the best traction possible. If storing in colder temperatures, ensure tyres are properly inflated and consider lifting the motorhome or using jack stands to prevent flat spots from forming on the tyres.

Caring for the tyres of your ex-rental motorhome isn’t just about maintenance; it’s about ensuring every journey is safe, smooth, and enjoyable. By adopting a proactive approach to tyre care (with regular inspections, correct inflation, timely rotations, and more), you not only enhance the performance and longevity of your tyres but also prioritise your own and your passengers’ safety.

Remember, tyres are the foundation of your motorhome’s stability and handling. Whether traversing rugged terrains or cruising along highways, well-maintained tyres contribute significantly to your overall driving experience. Knowing when to replace tyres and adjusting care routines according to seasonal changes can maximise their efficiency and reliability throughout the year.

We highly recommend scheduling professional tyre maintenance, including wheel alignment and balancing, at the beginning of each season. Multiple motorhome insurances are available for added peace of mind during all your adventures.

Are you dreaming about your next adventure? Have a look at our ex-rental motorhomes for sale! If you don’t see the type of vehicle you’re interested in, go ahead and submit an inquiry form or give us a ring at 1300 124 329.

Did you purchase a motorhome from us? We’d love to hear about your adventures! Share your journey with #cruisinrvsales! Happy and safe travels!

*The deals and offers mentioned in this article might be withdrawn at any point. Please contact our sales team to learn about current offers.