Caravan season is coming – how are your tyres?

Easter is approaching and with it the sobering prospect that many of the nation’s two million caravans will venture back onto the road. The impending start of the caravanning season has prompted both TyreSafe and the Protyre retail chain to issue safety reminders to caravan owners. The essence of both reminders is to check for safety issues that may have developed during the vehicle’s months of inactivity.

TyreSafe points out the hazards posed by rubber degradation brought on by harmful UV rays, which attack the ingredients in a tyre’s compound that provide resilience and flexibility. The result, particularly for under-inflated tyres, can be a high speed blow-out. “Exposure to the elements for long periods without movement can be a real cause of rubber damage to caravan tyres, often seen by cracking or a drop in pressure,” explained TyreSafe chairman Stuart Jackson. “Therefore it’s vital to ensure that the tyres are properly inspected before use and correctly maintained.”

Protyre recommends caravan owners carry out a number simple checks to ensure safety: It says tyres should be carefully examined to ensure there are no cuts, lumps or bulges and that the sidewalls are sound and not affected by ozone cracking or distortion through being left standing for an extended period. Tyres must also have a minimum of 1.6mm of tread, although Protyre recommends that tyres with less than 2.5mm of tread should be considered for replacement.

The retail chain also advises owners of caravans or trailer tents to replace tyres irrespective of condition if the tyres are more than seven years old. Tyre aging is a particularly important aspect of tyre safety and is often overlooked by caravan owners, yet Protyre points out that finding out the age of a tyre is simple and straightforward: A code is marked on the tyre sidewall with the first two numbers determining the week, with the third and fourth digits referring to the year of manufacture.

TyreSafe recommends that tyres should ideally be checked by a professional – but the safety organisation offers similar advice to anyone inspecting the tyres themselves: They should pay particular attention to the tread and sidewall areas. Any sign of cracking should result in the motorist seeking professional advice or replacing the tyre. If a foreign object is found embedded in the tyre then it should also be removed. Owners should also look for any damage in the tyre such as bulges, cuts or lumps.

“With the correct care and attention your tyres will help to ensure you arrive safely at your holiday destination safely, without disruption and with minimal cost,” added Jackson. TyreSafe has a dedicated caravan tyre section on its tyresafe.org website, where caravan owners can find tyre safety advice, information and tips.