Owner`s manual

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
122
More detailed information can be found in the manufacturer’s literature associated with the chassis
and/or the tires provided with the motorhome. For example, the attached illustrates the ination
pressures for Michelin tires as a function of the loads per position for a specied speed of the mo-
torhome. You can determine the appropriate ination pressures for each of the tires on the motor
home, as a function of the loads they are to carry on a trip. Whenever there is a signicant change in
the loading regimen of the motorhome, it would be wise to re-calculate the load weights of the tires
to assure optimal use of the motorhome.
Frequency of Checking Tire Ination Pressures
When you have determined the “correct” tire ination pressures for each of the motorhome tires
and inated the tires under “cold” conditions, meaning the tires haven’t been driven for more than
one mile, then the air pressures in the tires should be periodically checked to make sure that they re-
tain their proper pressures. It is recommended that tire pressures be checked at least once a month,
or preferably, every two weeks, and before any major trip.
On long trips, the tires should be checked every “drive” morning. On short trips (a day or less), the
tires should be checked before one departs on the trip and again before one returns home.
Check tire pressures when they are “cold”; that is, the tires haven’t been driven at all or, at most, less
than one mile before being measured. In this manner, the tire pressure has not been increased by the
heating associated with tire sidewall and tread exure associated with traveling. If you check tires
that are warm or hot, remember that they will necessarily read higher than normal. Do not “bleed”
these tires down to the “cold pressure” readings, as they will probably then be underinated when
they are actually cool.
Don’t make any adjustments to tire pressures when the tires are warm or hot, if such can be avoided.
To make these tire-pressure measurements, it is recommended that you purchase a high-quali-
ty, truck-tire air
gauge which has
an angled dual
head. is type
of gauge allows
you to check in-
ation pressures
of both the inner
dual wheel which
has the valve stem
pointing towards
one and on the
outer wheel which
has the valve stem
pointing away from one. Pressure-sealing valve caps should always be used to protect the valve
Figure 16-4: Rear tire Figure 16-5: Front tire