Properly inflated tyres are paramount for several reasons;
- Safety First – Correct tyre pressure plays an essential role in the stable and safe towing of your caravan, significantly reducing the risk of accidents.
- Enhanced Performance & Longevity – Accurate inflation directly contributes to an improved tyre lifespan, better fuel efficiency, and a more comfortable journey for everyone on board.
- Optimal Load Distribution – Caravans have specific weight limits, and maintaining the correct tyre pressure is vital for ensuring an even distribution of weight across all tyres. This helps prevent undue stress on individual tyres and promotes balanced towing.
How to Check Your Caravan Tyre Pressure – A Step-by-Step Guide
Checking your caravan tyre pressure is a straightforward process that should be part of your pre-journey routine. All you need is a reliable tyre pressure gauge.
- Gather Your Tools – Ensure you have a good quality tyre pressure gauge. Digital gauges often provide more precise readings.
- Cold Tyres are Key – Always check your tyre pressures when the tyres are “cold.” This means they haven’t been driven for at least a few hours, or only for a very short distance at low speed. Driving heats up the air inside the tyres, leading to inaccurate readings.
- Locate the Valve Stem – Remove the valve cap from each tyre.
- Press and Read – Firmly press the tyre pressure gauge onto the valve stem. You’ll hear a hiss of air, and the gauge will display the pressure.
- Record and Adjust – Note down the reading. If the pressure is too low, add air using a suitable compressor until you reach the recommended pressure. If it’s too high, carefully release air by pressing the small pin inside the valve stem.
- Replace Valve Caps – Once adjusted, replace the valve caps to prevent dirt and moisture from entering the valve.
Crucial Advice for Caravan Tyre Pressure
- Consult Your Manufacturer’s Handbook – This is your primary source of truth! Caravan tyres often require higher inflation pressures than the same tyres on a car because they are designed to carry significantly more weight. Always refer to your caravan’s vehicle manufacturer’s handbook for the precise recommended tyre pressures for your specific model and loaded weight.
- Consider Your Load – The recommended tyre pressure will vary based on the weight you are carrying. If you’re towing a heavily loaded caravan, you may need to inflate your tyres to the higher end of the recommended range.
- Don’t Forget the Spare! – It’s easy to overlook, but your spare tyre also needs to be correctly inflated. You never know when you might need it!
- Regular Checks – Make checking your caravan tyre pressures a habit. Do it before every journey, especially longer trips. Even a small drop in pressure can impact performance and safety.
- Invest in Quality – A reliable tyre pressure gauge is a small investment that can have a huge impact on your safety and peace of mind.
- Seek Specialist Advice – If you’re unsure about anything related to your caravan tyres or their pressure, don’t hesitate to seek advice from a reputable caravan specialist or tyre expert. They can provide tailored guidance and ensure your setup is safe for the road.
Caravan Tyre FAQs
Read the answers to caravan and trailer tyre pressure questions.
Whenever tyres are fitted to the towing car and caravan or trailer tent, it is essential to the safety and stability of the combination that all tyres are correctly inflated for the applied loading. This is a golden rule of motoring and caravanning in particular.
Under or over-inflated tyres can not only adversely affect the handling but can also lead to dangerous tyre failure. Tyres not inflated to the correct pressure also wear out more quickly. So in the long run, keeping them at the right pressure could also save you money.
You should always check your caravan tyre pressures prior to any journey, or when towing on a regular basis. Your caravan and car tyres should be cold before you check the tyre pressure, as checking pressures during or after a run will not give an accurate reading. Pressures are likely to drop when tyres cool down. After checking your caravan tyre pressure, ensure the valve is not leaking and that the valve cap is fitted.
The correct inflation pressure for your caravan tyres will be found in the handbook and, in some cases, on a placard displayed on the vehicle. You can also check with the manufacturer; however, specifications and tyre pressures can vary depending on the model year. The easiest place to check is the placard inside your caravan.
Alternatively, you can seek the advice of the tyre manufacturer, use the TyreSafe caravan tyre pressure calculator, or consult the provided tables for suggested tyre inflation pressures and maximum axle loads.
In the absence of special towing recommendations, to improve handling and accommodate the additional load on the hitch, the rear tyres should be set at the “fully laden” pressure. Where full load pressure does not differ from normal driving, the rear tyre pressure should be increased by 4 to 7 psi (0.3 to 0.5 bar).
The correct trailer tyre pressure for your trailer will depend on the specific tyre type and size, so always consult the handbook before checking and adjusting your trailer tyre pressure.
As with caravan tyre pressure checks, your trailer tyres should be cold before you check them. Always ensure they are inflated to the correct pressure before you begin towing, to avoid injury or tyre damage.
The extraordinary demands placed on tyres fitted to caravans mean that, in the interests of safety, it is prudent to avoid continuous operation at or near the tyres’ maximum load capacity. Accordingly, the UK tyre industry strongly recommends that the maximum vehicle load should not exceed 90% of the combined tyre load capacity indicated by the load index.
The tables show maximum recommended axle loads along with suggested tyre inflation pressures for some sizes. Maximum permissible axle loads are shown in red (assuming two tyres per axle). You can also use TyreSafe’s unique caravan tyre pressure calculator: input your caravan’s Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass (MTPLM), the number of wheels, and your tyre size and type for a suggested inflation pressure.
**Remember the ‘Golden Rules’ for safe towing:**
– Fit the correct tyres
– Tyres must be in good condition
– Tyre pressures must be correctly maintained using an accurate tyre pressure gauge
– Do not overload
**Bonus Load** – Additional load permissible (at increased tyre pressure) when running at a reduced maximum speed of 100 km/h, where the gross weight does not exceed 3.5 tons with a tyre speed symbol of at least L.
**Service Description** – Combination of the tyre’s Load Index (LI) and Speed Symbol (SS) moulded into the tyre sidewall near the size marking.
**Load Index** – Numerical code associated with the maximum load a tyre can carry at the speed indicated by the Speed Symbol.
**Speed Symbol** – Indicates the maximum speed at which the tyre can carry a load corresponding to its Load Index.
**Safety Type Rim** – A wheel rim incorporating a hump or flat ledge on the outer bead seat to reduce the risk of tyre dislodgement.
**Pre-Puncture Sealant** – Solution applied inside the tyre during fitting to prevent air loss in the event of a puncture (not recommended by the tyre industry).
**Post-Puncture Sealant** – Liquid applied via the tyre valve after a puncture, sealing the penetration hole (recommended only as a “Get you home” measure).
**MTPLM** – Maximum Technically Permitted Laden Mass of the caravan or trailer tent.
**MIRO** – Mass in Running Order of the caravan or trailer tent when equipped to the manufacturer’s standard specification.
**User Payload** – The difference between the MTPLM and the MIRO.