Tire Advice
I have a 10 year old KZ Frontier 28 foot travel trailer that I've had for 7 years now and in the last few years have had a blowout (or 2) on my annual long distance 800 mile trip to Florida from Texas...
Forum Discussion
DRSMPS wrote:
I had similar problems with blow outs. I changed from my Goodyear Marathons to Maxxis and changed my driving / loading habits and have had good luck since.
The following are my tips:
#1: Hit the scales. Ensure you aren't overloading the tires
I've done this in the past and the weight is in the acceptable range.
#2: Watch your speed. I used to drive at 70+ mph. I have now slowed it down to 60 mph or lower.
I to never drive over 60 MPH
#3: Tire maintenance. Cover them from the sun when you store for any length of time. Keep up your tire pressure (cold inflation) and check it often.
I do this and run at 50 psi which is the max for my tires
#4: Purchase a TPMS. They watch your tire pressures and temps while driving. Good piece of mind.
I have one and use it but it's really only good for monitoring psi. When an actual blow out occurs it does you know good. Plus the last one I had it was delaminating and flapping and trail vehicle saw it and notified me before it blew and it had full psi.
#5: Have the tires balanced.
#6: Watch the heat. Any blowout I've ever had happened when the weather was 95+ deg with strong sun.
Hard to do when you are driving a long distance in one day. I pray for rain on the way home
If you have the rooms to do so, upgrading your tires (and possibly rims) will be an added benefit. Even when doing so, the tips above are good practice.
Good Luck!
