Monarch SE 2004------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ S e ction 2 Driving & Safety | 67
Regularly check the tire pressure. A nail or screw can lodge in a tire and create
a slow leak. The object may eventually be spotted on a front tire or an outside rear
dual. However, if there is a slow leak on an inside dual, it will probably go
unnoticed. If you begin driving unaware that an inside dual tire is low on air
pressure or is flat, very quickly (in most cases a few miles) the outside rear tire will
heat up due to carrying double the load. This can lead to failure of the outside tire
resulting in two flat tires on the same side of the same axle.
CAUTION: A slow leak may go unnoticed on one of the dual tires.
This can cause the good tire paired with it to fail due to exceeding the
load limits it is designed to carry. A flat or nearly flat tire can generate
enough heat from rolling resistance to ignite.
Check the tire pressure every two weeks or at least once a month and before
any major trip. Check the tire pressure every "drive" morning on both long and
short trips (driving a day or less). Check the tire pressure before leaving on a
trip and again before starting your trip home. Check the tire pressure before
storing the motorhome for any length of time. More importantly, check the tire
pressure when removing the motorhome from storage.
Check the tire pressure when the tires are "cold" and have not been driven
for more than one mile. The rated load capacity for cold
inflation pressure is based on ambient temperature. If you must check the tires
when they are warm or hot, allow for a slight increase in air pressure. The
pressure should be within a couple of pounds of each other on the same axle.
Never let air out of a hot tire.
When checking the inflation pressure, use a high-quality truck tire air gauge.
These have an angle dual head. This type of pressure gauge can check the
pressure of the inner dual wheel that has the valve stem pointing outward and
the outer wheel has the valve stem pointing inward. Nothing should restrict the
ability to easily check the tire's air pressure daily when traveling in the motorhome.
Use valve stem caps with a positive seal to prevent air escaping from the valve
stem. If there are extension hoses on the valve stem, make sure they are good
quality reinforced stainless steel braid. Attach hoses securely to the outer wheel.
Optimum tire performance is achieved at proper inflation pressure for the load
carried. Do not mix tires of different tread patterns on the same axle. The
difference in traction could cause rear end gear fight and mechanical damage to the
drive train. Never mix tires of a different size or construction on the same axle.
Higher than recommended pressure can cause:
• Hard ride.
• Tire bruising or carcass damage.
• Rapid tread wear in the center of the tire.
WARNING: Improperly inflated tires can effect handling or cause
sudden tire failure possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Always use an accurate tire pressure gauge when checking tire pressure.
Inspecting &
Pressure
Example of Overinflation
More wear in center.
090440
To Next Page
Loading...