Check Those Tyres before Going on a Caravan Break
As summer months near, a lot of us are already planning what we will do during the holidays. One of the most common activities that are scheduled for the summer is a caravan break. In the UK alone, there are around a million caravan owners and a lot of them are thinking of taking their caravan out for the next couple of months.
Most of the motorhomes and caravans are parked on driveways during the winter season, so it’s best practice to check the tyres before you go on your caravan break. Ensure your caravan’s wheels are turned frequently and even consider lifting them off the ground when stationary for long periods to prolong the tyres’ life.
Worn, cracked and balding tyres cause poor handling and braking and also an increase in fuel consumption, and even a highly dangerous blow-out when towing. Towing the caravan to a garage can be a tedious task, especially with a flat tyre!
Attending to roadworthiness is essential before taking your once stationary caravan on a long trip. You’d check the tread and air pressure on your car’s tyres and the same needs to be done on your caravan. Look out for tyre cracking and tread depth, and tighten the wheel nuts. If you think the tyres are out of shape or worn, replace them before you make your first trip.
There have been some unfortunate instances where motorists have suffered from a punctured tyre whilst towing a caravan. This can be a dangerous situation that can be life threatening especially if it happens while you are travelling at high speed. To avoid this type of scenario, you should consider installing safety bands to the tyres of the caravan. The device is designed to be attached to the steel rim of the wheel. It acts as a run flat mechanism to give you control of the caravan even if you have suffered a flat tyre.
Safety bands are simple devices that can be attached to any tyre, whether on a caravan, car or any other vehicle. You might be wondering how they work. All wheels are made with fitting wells that allow you to remove and replace tyres. The wells were designed for a practical purpose but they can be dangerous as well.
A well-inflated tyre will remain fixed to the outer rim of the wheel. When you suffer from a slow puncture or a blowout, the air pressure will drop within the tyre and it could make the tyre move around and fall within the fitting well. Once this occurs, the driver will lose control of the vehicle.
The safety bands are designed to prevent the tyre from dropping into the fitting well. With safety bands, you are able to maintain control of the vehicle if you suffer from a blowout or a puncture. It is important for caravan tyres to have safety bands to avoid disasters from happening during your summer break.
For further advice please contact your local Mr Clutch
