There can be a proneness to test and drive with RV tires as long as feasible. Notably, at a standard of approximately $300 each, getting substitutes can be quite a costly proposal. Yet, due to the huge weight of most RVs, their tires can be at tremendous risk of blowing out than tires used on other consumer vehicles.
So, how hot is too hot for an RV? How hot can those RV tires get? Let’s dive into more details below!
RV tires are warranted to resist temperatures of roughly 156°F (69°C). Temperatures exceeding this figure put the tires in jeopardy of blowing out. Because of this, RV owners must take additional steps in terms of understanding the quality of their tires. Also, what matters is assuring that they are using their RV under safe requirements.
It is alarming knowing that a “home on wheels” has the possibility of blowing its tires. But there are many ways to ensure that your RV is in a safe driving state without always embarking on costly tire replacements.
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How to Stop RV Tires from Blowing Out
Blowing a tire on the road is unwanted in any vehicle. Yet, it is particularly scary in a heavy RV that may be at more significant risk of rolling or causing big harm to its surroundings.
Thus, RV owners need to be sure that their tires are in fine shape to drive on and use their RVs under safe conditions. A critical statistic is that most RV tires are in danger of blowing out at temperatures above 156°F. Also, RV tires will often get about 30°F to 60°F above ambient temperature while in use.
With these busts, RVs may be at an increased chance of blowing a tire when the ambient temperature is 96°F (35°C) or above. So, the owner must secure conditions that will stop tires from getting into this temperature range. This truly goes without saying!
What is also critical is for the owner to understand if those tires can resist lower or higher temperatures.
Drive at Moderate Speed
How to make sure your RV tires stay cool at some level? Well, the most obvious answer is to drive at reasonable speeds. Keep this in mind! It goes without saying that there is friction between the highway and the tires. So, it will generate some heat, no matter the speed.
Still, higher speeds cause the atoms comprising the RV tires to move faster. So, the heat is the byproduct now.
Let’s keep our minds off the speed limit for a moment. It’s certainly not that smart to drive the RV above 65 mph. In summer, it’s best to keep the speed limit at 55 mph.
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Use Those Tire Covers
We all know how UV rays can damage our skin if we are exposed to direct sunlight. Well, the same applies to those RV tires. Too much UV exposure will induce those tires to age at a fast pace. That will lead to many cracks that will greatly undermine the integrity of those tires.
So, keeping your RV in a garage when you are not using it is an excellent idea. This is the unwritten rule! On top of that, investing in quality RV covers or tire covers will guarantee better safety. Another thing, these can be useful to cover your RV in the rain too.
Keep the Tires at Pressure
Bloated tires are truly one of the best ways to raise the chance of tire blowout. It’s vitally important to know how much air those RV tires need. Also, make sure that you check they contain the correct settings.
In case the tires are bloated, never try to drive without filling them to a suitable level. If you spot a leak, you need to be sure the tire is patched or replaced in a professional way.
Tip: There’s another critical fact to mention. You should find out if it is okay to park your RV on the gravel.
Check the Weight of the RV
Notably, RV tires can only resist a specific amount of weight. So, it’s critical to know the weight of your RV at all times. Also, keep in mind not to forget to check your RV tires.
The weight of your RV can vary, by all means. This is mainly based on the number of things loaded for the expedition. Or, it may be based on the number of travelers inside. Because of this, never assume that the weight will be always the same inside.
Replace Tires Every 7 Years
Tires on numerous passenger vehicles will often be approved for a precise mileage level. It is often from 30,000 to 50,000 miles, relying on the quality of the tires.
Increased mileage will definitely age RV tires identically. Still, time also puts RV tires at the exact risk of failure as wear and tear. This is a fact!
Never assume that tires with low mileage are still in fine condition. If they are more than 7 years old, you should replace them, or, at the least, professionally check them to assure ongoing quality. This span should be shortened to 5 years if the RV is parked outdoors (not underneath a shady area or another type of coverage).
Calculate Tire Cracks
As tires age, they will start to form tiny cracks as part of the wear and tear process. While numerous cracks are benign, more serious, more deep cracks, put the tire at the chance of a blowout. When calculating cracks on your RV tires, anything greater than 2 mm in width or depth means that a replacement is required.
In addition, many practical resources online can exhibit images of healthy tire treads against regular wear and dangerous wear. Keep this in mind!
Keep Your RV Cool in the Summer
Here are some real, actionable measures you can take to get yourself and your RV cooler when it’s hot outside. Some of these are cheaper than others, yet, they are all affordable outside of counting a second AC unit to your RV or camper. Let’s hop into how to maintain an RV cool in the high summer heat!
#1 Use Reflectix In Your Windows
We’re starting with the quite obvious and likely most famous resolution. Reflectix is one of the most generally used instruments for keeping your RV from shifting into an oven.
Reflectix is a dual-reflective film with air drops in the center (equivalent to a car shade). It can be cut and put in all windows that meet the sun. Placing some in the back and tops of your upper cupboards can be helpful too.
You could likewise tape the Reflectix to the outside of your windows. The thing is effortless to cut, easy to keep, and easy to put in windows.
#2 Shade Holds Your RV Cool
God willing, you perhaps rolled your eyes now. Nevertheless, this one is usually overlooked. This is the number one way to hold your camper cool on a hot day aside from pursuing elevation.
Pursuing elevation costs more in gas cash and time, by all means. If you can park in the shadow for half of the day even, that’s better than nothing. Think about this for a moment.
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#3 Smart Window Orientation
There’s one big window in many RV motorhomes. Some people usually avoid parking where it faces south or southeast.
If you have a huge window or a side with more windows than the other, never let the big or most windows get hit by the sun for most of the day. Try to park with the windows on the shaded side.
Yet, there are other helpful ways to orient your RV, relying on your situation and just how hot it is outdoors.
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#4 Use Your RV As A Shade
Preferably, determine if you want to spend time outdoors when it’s hot in your RV. If this is the case, it may be best to park your existing door (your ‘porch’ space), so it meets the north to northeast.
Why is that? Because then that side will be shadowed by the camper during the hottest part of the day.
Of course, you can use the other side as your porch. Still, it may be discomfiting with the door being on the other side of the RV. Now, the bad report about this one is that your roof won’t be of any help giving shade to the RV. So, this method is best if it’s so hot that you can’t be in the RV in the afternoon.
