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NEWS
Caravan tyre pressure warning
Running the wrong tyres or incorrect pressures can cause caravan swaying, warns Caravan Council of AustraliaThe Caravan Council of Australia is warning caravanners that the wrong tyres fitted to their van, or the right tyres inflated to the wrong pressures, can lead to caravan swaying and even roll-overs.
While acknowledging swaying is caused by various factors, including incorrect loading or overloading of the van, resulting in a too high or too low ball loading, or using an unsuitable tow vehicle, the CCA’s Colin Young says caravanners need to also pay close attention to tyre loadings and pressures.
“In some cases, the tyres are under-rated, or operate close to their rated maximum load capability, when the 'van is fully loaded,” Young explained.
“In the first instance, this is highly dangerous and illegal; in the second instance, this does not provide a reasonable safety margin.
“In many cases, the tyres are grossly over-rated, such that when the 'van is fully loaded, the tyres are loaded to only (typically) 50 to 70 per cent of their capacity,” he said.
“While opinions of tyre specialists may vary a bit, the general consensus is that caravan tyres should be loaded to around 85 to 90 per cent of their maximum rating, when running at their normal maximum load… for instance, when the 'van is fully loaded.”
He said the CCA has received numerous complaints from owners about the on-road handling and stability of their caravan, from swaying and wallowing to skipping, or bouncing badly, even on relatively smooth tarmac.
“In the first instance, the inflation pressure is too low for the particular tyre size designation, and the actual tyre load,” he explained.
“In the second instance, the inflation pressure is too high for the particular tyre size designation, and the actual tyre load.”
He said it’s not unusual for the recommended inflation pressures on the trailer plate, to not correlate with recommended pressures for actual tyre loadings provided by organisations like the Tyre and Rim Association of Australia.
“Often the recommended inflation pressure is simply that embossed on the tyre side-wall, for when the tyre is loaded to its maximum rating, even though the actual tyre load is just a fraction of the tyre's rating,” he said.
The Caravan Council has produced a simple spreadsheet to help owners determine the correct tyre loadings and pressures for their caravan.
For a free copy, email Colin Young at caravancouncil@optunsnet.com.au
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Written byChris Fincham
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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