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EARTHBOUND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE TRAILER OWNER'S MANUAL
Load/Inflation Information for Your Tires
Maintaining proper tire inflation pressure is essential for both tire safety and performance.
Proper Tire Inflation
The level of air in your tires affects your vehicle's overall performance. Not even the highest quality tire
will perform well if it's not inflated properly. The correct pressure varies from vehicle to vehicle and
depends in part upon driver preference. Each vehicle has a maximum inflation pressure, usually found on a
tag located on the outside of the vehicle, as well as on the original equipment tires.
Correct tire inflation is a key component in tire care. The recommended inflation pressures for your tires
are indicated on the certification label or in your owner’s manual. Since RVs can be loaded with many
different configurations, the load on each tire will vary. For this reason, air pressure should be checked
based on the load on each individual tire. Cold Inflation Pressure should be adjusted to handle the
maximum tire load, and all tires on the axle should carry the same inflation pressure. COLD TIRE
INFLATION PRESSURE is the tire pressure checked in the morning before you drive more than a few
miles or before rising ambient temperatures or the sun’s radiant heat affects it. Check your tires’ air
pressures at least once a month, before each trip and each morning you drive during a trip. Tire pressure
should be checked cold, as tire pressure ratings have been designed with typical running heat/pressure
build-‐up in mind. Make sure the valves and caps are free of dirt and moisture.
Underinflation
Underinflation brings a higher risk of damage due to road hazards, reduces casing durability, causes a loss
in fuel economy, and uneven or irregular tire wear. Severe underinflation brings about an increased risk of
tread separation, handling difficulties, and possibly tires failure, caused by overheating.
IMPORTANT:
Lowering tire pressure in the search for a smoother ride is not only dangerous, it's
relatively ineffective, and as the difference in the ride quality is not significant. Tire inflation pressure should always
meet the guidelines for vehicle weight.
HOW OVERLOADING AFFECTS YOUR TIRES
Tire pressure is what enables your RV tire to support loads. Overloading your tires can have serious
consequences for passengers and your RV. Too much weight can cause stress on your RV's suspension
system, brake failure, shock absorber damage, handling and steering problems, irregular tire wear and
possible tire failure. Excessive loads or underinflation can lead to an excessive amount of heat and tire
failure. If you discover that your tires cannot handle the load, lighten the weight of the load on your tires.
Tire pressure should never be reduced below the vehicle manufacturer's recommended levels to support
load conditions in order to improve the ride quality of a vehicle. The difference in ride quality is not
significant. When inflation pressure requirements are not met, tire durability and optimum operation can be
affected.
