Tyres and Wheels

Tyres
It is illegal to mix tyres of a different construction on the same axle.

Periodically tyres should be rotated to equalise wear in the same manner as car tyres.

Tread Depth
Pay special attention to the amount of tread remaining on your tyres, and measure them regularly.

Always replace tyres before they reach the minimum legal limit of 1.6mm.

Pressures
Note: Sales literature/ Technical Handbooks publish recommended tyre pressures for the MTPLM only (fully laden condition).

It is not possible to publish tyre pressures for any other load condition other than the MTPLM.

Note: Although the caravan may be fitted with the same type of tyre as the towing vehicle, the pressures specified are different.
All charts show values for cars and are therefore not applicable for caravans.
Pressures displayed on tyre walls apply ONLY in North America and Canada.

The caravan manufacturer’s plate (fixed adjacent to exterior door) and Technical Handbook contains information about caravan loading and the required adjustments to tyre pressures, which should be followed for safety (these pressures relate only to the tyres originally fitted to the caravan).

Tyre pressures should always be checked and corrected prior to each journey. It is vital that tyre pressures are maintained at the levels recommended by the manufacturer to ensure maximum tyre life, safety and handling characteristics.
Please also remember to check your spare tyre pressure as it can be overlooked.
The spare wheel can be either in the front gas locker compartment, on a spare wheel carrier underneath the caravan or in the fixed double bed area depending on layout and specification.
Over or under-inflating tyres is likely to seriously impair their performance and may prejudice the safe use of the vehicle.

Over-inflation increases overall tyre diameter, decreases the amount of tread in contact with the road, decreases sidewall flexibility and affects road-adhesion.
Under-inflation decreases overall tyre diameter, increases sidewall flexing, generates higher tyre operating temperatures and difficult vehicle handling characteristics. Running an underinflated tyre may cause premature tyre failure.
Both over and under-inflation adversely affect tyre life.

Treads

Keep tyre treads clean of stones and other foreign bodies, and check regularly for damage
to the tread and sidewalls. It is vitally important that any damage is checked out by a tyre expert and any necessary repairs or replacements are carried out immediately.

Tyre Valves
Check tyre valves carefully.

Ensure the caps are in place free from dirt/ debris and that there is no evidence of cracking or damage to the valve stem.

Tyre Aging
Rubber compounds used in tyres contain chemicals that help to slow down the natural
aging process of untreated rubber.

However, tyres do deteriorate with age, which increases
the risk of tyre failure, and there are many ways
in which this can be spotted:

• Cracking/crazing on the side wall of the tyre, caused by its flexing

• Distortion of tyre tread

• Deformation of the carcass of the tyre:

There will also be a deterioration of the ride quality caused by vibrations through the tyre.
This may signify the tyres performance has been affected by age and should be investigated as soon as possible.

Note: It is recommended that tyres are replaced after 5 years of service or at 7 years
old.

The date of first inflation is normally

within a few days of the date of manufacture of the vehicle they are fitted to, and this date can be determined from the gas and / or electrical certificate supplied with the caravan.

We recommend your tyres are inspected and passed as fit for use by a qualified technician
on an annual basis and replaced at 5 years of service or at 7 years old. It is possible that in the
event of a tyre failure, an insurer may not cover any losses incurred if the tyre is over 5 years
(from first inflation) and was not inspected no more than 12 months prior to the incident.

Tyres that display signs of aging should be removed and not put to further use.
The effects of aging can be brought about prematurely in several conditions.

Tyres fitted as spare wheels may age prematurely.

If tyres on caravans are not in regular use they should be inspected before every journey, several cleaning products may also harm the chemicals in the rubber. However, the age of a tyre will affect its safety and increase the risk of failure, and you should inspect tyres for the signs of aging regularly.

Note: The use of some motor movers can damage or increase wear on the tyres prematurely.

Wheels
Caravan wheel bolts supplied with your caravan should be tightened to a torque of 88Nm (65lb/ ft) on steel wheels or 130Nm (96lb/ft) on alloy wheels and should be checked with the use of a torque wrench regularly. Only use a spare wheel and tyre of the type and size provided with your caravan.

Note: Please remember to check the wheel bolt torque setting regularly.

Wheel Rims
Three sizes of wheel rims are used 5.5J x 14 and 6J x 15.

The rim sizes are the same for both steel and alloy rim, incorporating a double safety hump which conforms to European safety standards. Check the size on your caravan before replacing a rim.