|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Blog Index
Listing all posts with label Tire covers. Show all posts.
-
I don't know what it is like where you live but the pollen count is astronomical here in the South. That green gunk is everywhere you turn. Just yesterday I had my car washed and today it looks like it hasn't been washed in months. The bad part is, if you don't clean it off the RV, the pollen will build up and become encrusted with those tiny green monsters. Have you ever seen an RV that has pollen encrusted all over the sides and roof? Do you have any idea how long it takes to scrub that mess off your RV?
Thank goodness for my RV cover! When we came back from our last RV adventure we cleaned everything up, inside & out and threw the cover over it. Now when we're ready to go again in the next couple of weeks, we won't have those green monstrosities to deal with. RV covers are worth their weight in gold!
-
The most neglected part of the RV is its tires. The most common reason for tire damage is due to overloading the RV or not having the proper inflation of air in the tires. Here are the top ten tips for getting the most out of your tires.
1) Use a qualified inflation pressure gauge to check pressure.
2) Inflate tires to the tire manufacturer’s pressure recommendations or according to the Federal data plate on your RV. The maximum pressure allowed for a tire is embossed on the side wall.
3) Always check when the tires are cold before traveling. Since hot air expands it gives a false reading if the tire has been used.
4) If you have dual wheels you should have valve extenders installed for ease of use and have rubber valves replaced with steel valves.
5) Check your tires for uneven wear and cracking on the tire side walls. If one tire shows much different wear than the other tires there could be a more serious problem. Have the tires inspected by a professional tire center. Do not operate the RV with tires that show signs of wear until they have been inspected by a professional.
6) Have your RV weighed when it is fully loaded. Try the Flying J Truck stops to have your rig weighed. Many have scales for public use.
7) When you weigh your RV at the scales, weigh each tire individually to make sure that none of the tires are overloaded. If they are, correct the problem immediately.
8) Use wheel covers on your tires when not in use. Ozone and UV rays damage tires. Ozone causes dry rot and deterioration of the tire. UV rays speed up this process.
9) Rotate your tires on a regular basis. Tire rotation helps to equalize tread wear and is critical to gain the maximum life from your tire investment. Generally a rotation interval of 6,000 miles is recommended.
10) Tires over 6 or 7 years old should be replaced. You can determine the age of your tires by looking for the serial number embossed on the side wall. Look at the last three digits. The first two digits of the three is the week of the year. The last digit is the year the tire was manufactured. So, the number 149 would indicate the tire was made in the fourteenth week of 1999.
-
Let’s face it the majority of RV owners have packed the RV up for the winter. That means the rig has now been sitting idles for at least two and a half months now. Long term tire storage of seasonal use RVs requires special preparations. If at all possible, RVs should be raised on blocks, so the weight is taken off the tires.
At this point in the winter, you need to take your rig for a little drive to prevent flat spotting and ozone cracking at the tire sidewall flex point. Flat spots usually disappear, when the tires warm-up, after a 25+ mile drive. BUT, by summer if you have not moved the vehicle in over six months flat spotting may become permanent.
Tires on motor homes, travel trailers and fifth wheels stored out-of-doors, should be protected by opaque wheel covers to prevent damage from sunlight.
-
The biggest natural cause of tire failure is from the gas known as ozone. Ozone causes the rubber to become brittle. Eventually the surface cracks become wider and deeper.
Keeping your tires clean is the best thing you can do to minimize ozone damage. Tire manufactures do not recommend any type of dressings or cleaners other than soap and water. If you must use a commercial tire dressing to make your tires look shiny and brand new, be sure that the product does not contain petroleum products or alcohol.
Since high temperatures and ultraviolet light accelerate the destructive ozone process, using wheel covers when not in use will also help prolong the life of your RV tires.
-
After the fun-filled travel season’s over and it’s time to head home and put the RV away for the winter, it’s time to also consider what is the best way to store your home-away-from-home. As much as you enjoyed the past travel season, you want to ensure that the next time you are ready to roll, your RV is ready as well. To insure that you need an RV cover.
The first thing you want to do when you arrive home is clean the exterior of the motor home for the winter. Remember to work your way down to the tires. Clean the roof first. Use warm water and a mild detergent. Use a soft brush on the entire body. The goal of cleaning the roof is to remove the white chalky residue that sometimes marks the exterior after a heavy rain. Don’t get over zealous because rubber roofs have an oxidized layer to protect the surface. Just get the chalky white build-up.
If your RV is stored under trees you might have a problem with bird droppings and tree sap. Prior to washing the sides of the vehicle, liberally spray the infected area with an oily base like spray cooking oil or WD40. Leave this on for approximately 10 minutes and then wash as usual.
Once the RV is clean and dry, it is ready for your RV cover.
Shopping Basket
| Items: | 0 |
| Subtotal: | $0.00 |
Note: All prices in US Dollars
Mary's Online Enterprises