Although RV tires are not one of the most often thought of maintenance items, they are actually one of the most important. They will keep you safely traveling down the road for tens of thousands of miles if you care for them properly. But if your RV tires are neglected or cared for improperly, it could be a fatal mistake. Here is a very basic checklist that will help you to know how to care for your RV tires:

1. Check for inflation levels in all of your RV tires (including both wheels on a dual wheeled RV) at least once a month and before any trip. When the tires are cool (wait at least one hour after driving, and drive no more than a mile before you check them) you should look on the sidewall and see the air pressure minimum and maximum amounts for your specific RV tires. In no situation should your tires be over the maximum when they are cool. However, do not air out of a hot tire. Underinflation of your RV tires can lead to poor gas mileage and premature failure and overinflation can lead to braking difficulties and poor handling.

2. Keep your RV tires clean. The oil and grease from the road can cause tires to deteriorate. A gentle soap and water should do the trick. Do not put chemicals and other sealants on the tires (especially those that contain alcohol) because they can actually damage the tires over time.

3. Do not overload your tires. Each type of tire is rated for how much it can carry. If your load is unevenly distributed, putting excess weight on one axle or set of tires it can cause failure of the axle as well as the tires. Remember to include the weight of anything you are towing in your total weight calculations.

4. Make sure that your tires are rotated frequently and also that you have your alignment checked about every 12,000 miles. Check for bald spots or uneven wear and tear to indicate that your alignment is off.

5. When your RV is up on blocks, you should make sure that each wheel or set of dual wheels is centered on the block to avoid damage to the wheels.