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If you are planning a holiday now is the time to check your caravan tyres. Your caravan tyres can crack and wear the same if not worse than a car tyre. This is because caravans stand much longer than cars. Regularly checking your caravans tyres can save you a holiday disaster! Caravan tyres are made specifically for caravan use. Caravan tyres perform a slightly different role. While they don't have to cope with high-speed braking and cornering as most cars do, they must accommodate a greater load capacity than other vehicles with a great deal of pressure being placed on the tyres as well as standing.

Tyre Law

The legal minimum requirement is 1.6mm tread depth across the central three- quarters of the tread, around the entire circumference of the tyre. Failure to meet these conditions could result in a £2500 fine and 3 penalty points per tyre. This applies to caravans just the same as cars. It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that tyres of the correct specification are fitted to caravans as specified by the manufacturer. Across an axle (e.g. front and rear wheels), tyres must be of the same size, load index and speed rating, and this also includes the spare.

Tyre Ageing

Most caravans have fairly low mileage, being used mostly during holiday periods, so it takes a great deal of time for the tread to reach the minimum legal requirement. However, all tyres deteriorate with age and exposure to the elements which is a risk for caravan tyres and holiday disaster. Not only this as caravan tyres stand for a long time they can perish.

The BTMA (British Tyre Manufacturers' Association) recommend that caravan tyres be replaced every 5 years and should never be used if they are over 7 years old. It's also recommended that caravan tyres with a high inflation pressure (above 50psi) should be replaced at 3 years and never used over 5 years, according to The Caravan Club.

Since caravans are often left standing for long periods of time, the tyres become more susceptible to flat spots which can lead to punctures. UV damage can also adversely affect tyre tread, so it is advisable that if leaving your caravan for more than a few weeks, it should be stored in a cool, dry place and away from direct sunlight. It is also recommended that the wheels be rotated each month to avoid flat spots from developing.

Tyre Pressure

For a tyre to function properly it must be correctly inflated. Under-inflation and over-inflation can both lead to premature tyre failure, not to mention uneven tyre wear and diminished performance.

You should check pressure regularly and always when the tyres are cold or have been driven 1-2 miles at most for absolute accuracy. After checking pressure, always ensure the valve is not leaking and the valve cap is securely fitted.

Load Capacity

The load capacity in caravan tyres is very important since the tyres must accommodate a great deal of weight. It's recommended that load be distributed evenly and as low as possible for stability when driving.

Noseweight

Noseweight should be varied to find the optimum for towing depending on the laden weight of the caravan. This is estimated at roughly 7% of the laden weight of the caravan. However, this could be limited by the towing vehicle manufacturer's limit and the caravan's hitch limit. Insufficient weight on the hitch of the caravan could lead to possible instability.

How do I get new caravan tyres?

While going to the garage for new tyres is never fun, it’s even more of a chore when getting new tyres for a caravan. Let Fastlane Autocare come to you and sort the whole thing for you.

It's easy to order your caravan tyres with us – all we need is your tyre size, which can be found on the sidewall of the tyre. To understand how to read a tyre size you can click the link and use our helpful 'How To Guide'.

Tyron Bands

Tyron bands are a safety device attached to the wheel when a new tyre is fitted to your caravan. Using a similar concept to a run-flat tyre, a Tyron band allows the driver to continue driving after a puncture by preventing the tyre from lifting. Although the band won’t prevent the tyre from deflating, it will allow you to keep steering and control braking so that you can continue for up to 5 miles and find a safe place to stop.

Tyron bands lower insurance premiums because of the added safety they offer, and they prevent damage to the wheel from touching the road surface, meaning they also save you some hard earned cash. Fastlane Autocare can fit Tyron bands at a location of your choice – As we are a mobile caravan specialist we offer a massive range of tyre choices and are specialists in mobile caravan tyre fitting.

We Cover the Whole of the Chester area: 07943 185471

For all your mobile caravan tyre fitting needs no matter where you are in Chester including Chester services we are just a phone call away.