bka0721 wrote:
How often do you check your truck tires and trailer’s Air Pressure carrying your Truck Campers?
Hi Bryan, et al…
I check my tire pressure (including the spare!) before each and every trip with the camper on-board and then typically again at each fuel stop (every ~300 miles)… it is always interesting to see how much the pressure has increased when the tires are hot. When I unload I also deflate to improve ride quality (a little bit :( ).
I don't base my inspection intervals on wheel "type" (material, size, etc) as I have only ever owned cast aluminum wheels. But I do recognize that using the correct pressure is a critical safety measure and, conveniently, one that is extremely easy to check. I use Michelin's inflation chart for
my tires and my (known) axle-weight as a minimum pressure setting… and yes I have also done the chalk-the-tread test as well. I will add that I have only once encountered a small loss of pressure, which I quickly determined was the result of a loose (metal) valve stem. Other than that the tires/wheels have always maintained the set pressure.
I have a bunch tire gauges in my shop (analog-dial, digital & pencil type), but the only one I keep with me (stowed in the driver's door pocket) is a 150psi truck pencil gauge. It is extremely rugged, inexpensive, and plenty accurate.
To make the inflation/deflation process quick and easy and to keep the tire pressure as close as possible side-to-side, I made myself a dual inflation hose that includes a ball-valve, pressure gauge and locking air chucks.
Cheers,
-Mark
