Nick den Breejen
9 februari, 2023
The correct tyre pressure for your caravan or motorhome
Correct tyre pressure is very important for the safety of your journey. Incorrect tyre pressure can cause minor as well as major problems. For example, incorrect tyre pressure will not only consume more fuel, but also increase the chance of a blowout. It is therefore very important to always have the correct tyre pressure. How do you know exactly what the correct tyre pressure of your caravan or motorhome is? This article explains various topics that can help determine the correct tyre pressure.
The correct tyre pressure
1. What is tyre pressure?
In order to drive safely and comfortably with your caravan or motorhome, having the correct tyre pressure is of great importance. Tyre pressure is the atmospheric pressure in the tyre, usually measured in pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa). In the Netherlands, tyre pressure is generally displayed in the air pressure unit bar.
Due to too much pressure in the tyre, and because rubber is a permeable material, every tyre always deflates slowly. Approximately 2 to 5% of the air leaks from the tyre every month. Small leaks along the rim/near the valve or, for example, a nail ensure that tyres deflate even faster.
Tyres only perform optimally when they have sufficient load-bearing capacity and stability. The pressure of the tyres is very important in this respect! Do you want to check your tyre pressure? Preferably check this when the tyres are cold. Your tyres are ‘cold’ when you have driven a maximum of 5 kilometres. Having the correct tyre pressure is perhaps even more important when owning a caravan/camper than when owning a car. The reason for this is that caravans and motorhomes have more weight than a car, which results in higher pressure in the tyres. If a tyre blows, the damage to you, your caravan/motorhome and other road users is often great.
In addition to the optimal tyre pressure, it can of course also happen that the tyres have too low or too high tyre pressure, which can have unpleasant consequences. More about this later.
2. What is the perfect tyre pressure for my caravan or camper?
Caravan
The tyre pressure of many caravans is extremely poor. More than eighty percent of the caravans drive with too low tyre pressure, but what is a good tyre pressure?
The ideal tyre pressure for most caravans is between 3 and 4.5 bar. You must also take into account all other circumstances when determining the exact tyre pressure. For example, the load capacity and the maximum speed are also very important. To be sure about the correct tyre pressure, you can contact your dealer or look in the instruction booklet of your caravan. In some cases, the pressure is indicated on the tyre itself. In this case, a (slightly) too high pressure is better than a too low one.
Motorhomes
For a motorhome, the ideal tyre pressure depends mainly on the axle load. Weighing each axle separately when loaded, i.e. when you are about to go on vacation, is the best way to determine the correct tyre pressure. You should also take the speed and load capacity into account here. We recommend that you also contact your dealer for the motorhome or look at the instruction manual.
3. What do your tyres tell you about tire pressure?
The correct tyre pressure for your tyres is indicated on the tyres under the vehicle. In addition, you can find much more information on your tyres.
Example: 185 R 14 C 102/100 Q
185 Width of the tyre in mm
R The tyre type
14 Outer diameter of the rim in inches.
C The type of tyre
102/100 Load capacity of the tyre (Load index/ LI)
Q Speed index, this index indicates the maximum speed at which the tyre may be driven.
You can also find the DOT number on the tyre. This number indicates when the tyres were produced. The DOT number consists of four digits. The first two digits represent the week and the last two digits represent the year in which the tyre was produced.
Example: 2415. This tyre was produced in the 24th week of the year 2015.
We recommend replacing the tyres after six years. This is partly because statistics show that tyres older than 6 years have an increased chance of a blowout. If you are unsure whether you should replace your tyre, you can always contact your dealer
Under-inflated tyres will experience wear on the sides of the tire. Over-inflated tyres will experience wear in the center of the tyre.
4. What are the disadvantages of incorrect tyre pressure?
Is the tyre pressure too low or too high? This will have a negative effect on the performance of the tyres and therefore also on your safety and comfort. It is possible that dangerous situations arise due to incorrect tyre pressure. As soon as you drive with incorrect tyre pressure, your car will consume more fuel and the tyres will wear out faster. This means you will have more fuel costs and your tyres will have to be replaced sooner (a set of new tyres for the caravan will easily cost €100).
In short, the correct tyre pressure is important because:
- This ensures good driving performance
- Makes a positive contribution to road safety
- Ensures lower fuel costs
Incorrect tyre pressure results in:
- Less grip on the road. This gives you a longer braking distance and a higher chance of skidding
- Increased chance of blowouts
- Incorrect tyre wear
- Deteriorated road surface, the steering behavior is then not optimal
How do I prevent a blowout?
Incorrect tyre pressure increases the risk of a blowout, which can cause dangerous situations on the road. That is why it is very important to check your tyre pressure regularly, so that your tyres always have the correct pressure. It is also important to regularly check the condition of your tyres. Low tyre pressure and old tires also increase the risk of a blowout. In addition, the nose weight of a caravan is also important for the risk of a blowout.
With the help of E-Pressure, you are always aware of the pressure and temperature of your tyres, not only before departure, but also during the trip. If your tyre pressure suddenly becomes higher or lower during the trip, you will receive a notification on your smartphone. You can then leave the road in time to check what is wrong with your tyres. In this way, you prevent dangerous situations.
5. What is the difference between over-inflated and under-inflated tyres?
Under-inflated tyres result in reduced load-bearing capacity. In addition, tyres with under-inflated tyres have greater rotational resistance. Not only do they wear out faster, but if the weight of the contact points on the road surface is unevenly distributed, the tyre will deform and heat up.
The tyres also need more energy to rotate. Tyres with under-inflated tyres can therefore increase fuel consumption by more than 10%. Driving with the correct tyre pressure therefore also means driving in a more environmentally friendly way.
As soon as the tyre pressure is too low, the temperature in the air around the tyres increases. This increases the chance of a blowout.
If the tyre pressure is too high, the caravan/camper has less suspension comfort. The tyres only make contact with the road surface to a small extent (only the middle part of the tyre). The tyres are then less grippy and braking will be less efficient. In addition, all unevenness on the road is more severe and the tyre can tear. If the tyre pressure is too high, the tyres will experience more wear than if the tyres are at the correct pressure, just as if the tyre pressure is too low.
Wear due to incorrect tyre pressure
Under-inflated tyres will experience wear on the sides of the tyre. Over-inflated tyres will experience wear in the center of the tyre.