Caravan tyre check vital this Easter to stay safe on the road
A high proportion of the 2 million or so caravan owners will be taking to the road for the first time this year over the Easter period and many owners will not carry out basic safety checks to ensure a trouble free break says Protyre, the UK’s leading independent tyre dealer network.
Out of season storage conditions can sometimes have a detrimental effect on caravan and trailer tent tyres and owners are recommended to carry out some simple checks to ensure their safety and the safety of their passengers during a journey. Carefully examine tyres to ensure that there are no cuts, lumps or bulges and that the sidewalls are sound and not affected by ozone cracking or distortion through being left standing for an extended period. Tyres must also have a minimum of 1.6mm of tread, although Protyre recommends that tyres with less than 2.5 mm of tread should be considered for replacement. Owners of trailer caravans or trailer tents are advised that if the tyres are over 7 years old that they should be replaced irrespective of their condition. And the company also recommends that the tyres on the tow car should also be checked, including the spare.
A particularly important aspect of tyre safety and often overlooked by owners is the age of the tyres fitted to the caravan or trailer. In fact determining the age of a tyre is simple and straightforward. A code is marked on the tyre sidewall with the first two numbers determining the week, with the third and fourth digits referring to the year of manufacture (see illustration). Should caravan owners be in any doubt about the condition or age of tyres, Protyre is offering a free Easter Tyre Safety Check at any of their 53 UK outlets, details of which can be found at protyre.co.uk.
Tyre pressures are equally crucial to the safety, stability and economical running of both the caravan and the towing vehicle. Under or over inflated tyres can not only affect the handling, but can at the extreme result in a tyre failure. Tyres not inflated to the correct pressures can also wear more quickly and will use more fuel and create more CO2 emissions. Owners should consult the vehicle handbook for the correct tyre pressures.
