Kumho issues timely tyre safety warning

Kumho Tyres has issued a timely reminder to motorists to check the safety and roadworthiness of the tyres on their caravans and trailers, as well as on the family car.

With the Christmas holidays just days away many people will be hooking up the family caravan or camper trailer for the first time in months and relying on rubber that may have been neglected and not given a thought since the last time it was used.

Close attention needs to be paid to tyre pressure, tyre types, overloading, tread depth, nose weight, winter storage and common types of wear and damage.

"Most people simply do not appreciate the high demands placed on their caravan's tyres," Kumho Tyres national marketing and training manager, David Basha said.

"Making sure your caravan or trailer's tyres as well as those of your car are in a good condition, correctly inflated and not overloaded is a vital factor in staying safe on the road.”

Tyres play a fundamental role in the suspension systems of caravans and as the only point of contact with the road surface, affect braking, cornering, acceleration and the overall stability of the combination.

"Motorists need to carry out a range of safety checks before heading off on their holidays, identifying and preventing a range of potential tyre-related safety and inconvenience issues," Basha said.

"No one wants to be stranded on the side of a hot and crowded highway with a tyre problem or worse still damage or injuries as a result of a tyre related accident.

"We advise taking the vehicle to your local tyre outlet and have the experts check the tyres, if necessary replacing old tyres that may have suffered from being unused for too long. It is a common problem with rubber degrading and cracking through sitting inactive for long periods."

Tyres can suffer from damage and premature wear for a variety of reasons:

• Over inflation can cause wear that is more pronounced in the centre of the tread compared with the shoulders and will reduce the effectiveness of the tyre particularly in wet weather

• Flat spotting can be caused by either excessive braking or defects in the braking system and can manifest with localised wear with a flat wear patch on one part of the tyre resembling the contact patch with the road. If left the flat spot will promote more brake lock up and the flat spot will grow and cause possible tyre failure

• If the tyre has suffered a sidewall impact or pinching it may not show any signs of impact damage on the sidewall such as cuts or grazes, but may have a localised bulge or blister on the sidewall


RV TYRE SAFETY CHECKLIST

• Check the caravan manufacturer's information to ensure you don't overload the trailer or van
• If possible carry a compatible spare wheel and tyre assembly for the caravan
• Examine tyres for signs of wear and damage regularly but this is particularly important for caravans when they haven't been used for an extended period
• Correct pressure is essential for the safety and longevity of tyres
• When checking or changing wheels, wheel nuts or bolts should be tightened with a torque wrench. If under tightened, a wheel fixing may shake loose