So how can you eliminate the possibility of having a tire blow out? Well, unfortunately you can’t. There is no way you can guarantee it will never happen, unless you want to get “Run Flats“, but, unfortunately, they are not available in the size and weight you need. But you may be able to substantially reduce the chances of this ever happening.
Industry experts agree that the majority of blow outs are the result of tires that are 20% or more under inflated. This under inflation is generally the result of either, operator not regularly maintaining the tire pressures or the development of a slow leak. Well, you could eliminate the maintenance issue by being more diligent with regular frequency. But, the slow leak is unpredictable. It could develop at anytime, right after you manually checked the tire pressures, while driving, after a short stop, etc. So, not even a person that checks their tire pressure every morning would necessarily avoid this potential tire failure.
However, if that person could check each tire’s pressure constantly, the pressure reduction leading up to a failure could be identified. This, and more, can be accomplished by the adding of a tire monitoring system. These systems monitor the tire pressure, and on some, also the tire’s internal temperature, in real time, ongoing. Not only can the operator check each tires individual’s air pressure at any time, but it is also pro-active, giving immediate warnings should the pressures or temperatures become abnormal.
There are a number of manufacturers that offer these devices such as Doran, PressurePro, SmarTire, TPMS, Tire-SafeGuard, to name a few. Most can be added to an existing vehicle without the need to remove the tires from the wheels. These employ sensors that screw onto the end of your current valve stems. They have an internal battery in each, which automatically switches the sensor on upon sensing the movement of the wheel. When left still for a short period of time, they automatically de-activate, conserving the battery. This type of sensor, however, can be subject to theft due to its ease to remove. Locking types and add-on locking devices are available to overcome this issue. The simple screw on sensors can also be added to your towed vehicle or trailer and still be monitored in addition to the motor home’s tires. The towed vehicle application also can be a lifesaver. Imagine how long it may be to discover that your towed vehicle has a flat tire. Substantial damage could happen prior to becoming aware of the problem. There are also units that use internal sensors. These require the removal of the tire from the rim to install or service. They are generally more expensive than their valve stem mounted cousins, but may offer a more accurate internal temperature data reading.
So, how often do you have to replace the batteries? In most cases you probably will never have to change them. That is, unless you keep your coach for seven years or so, which the average owner does not. The battery life ranges from 5 to 7 years based on normal operation. This timeframe coincides nicely with the average tire replacement frequency.
Do you currently have one of these monitoring systems on your rig, or are you considering adding one? If you never have a blow out, it will provide peace of mind. If you do, it may have save you a large insurance claim, a hefty deductable charge and a lot of aggravation. All of this with an increased safety margin may certainly be worth considering.
Next week – Run Flats for RV’s. Check it out on Sunday the 8th.
Watching Your Tires – Lug_Nut – Peter Mercer