Heartland 2014 Bighorn, Owner'S Manual

Page: 36 / 92

34 HEARTLAND Recreational Vehicles, LLC
The most common causes of tire failure are
overloading and underinflation. Both result in excess
flexing of the tire sidewall which causes heat buildup
and eventual tire failure. Continuing to run with a flat
can cause it to catch fire
.
The most important things you can do to avoid tire fires are:
• Maintain proper tire pressure
• Stay within tire and vehicle road limits
• Avoid road hazards if possible
• Inspect tires for cuts, slashes, and other irregularities.
Properly maintained tires improve the steering,
stopping, traction, and load-carrying capability of your
vehicle. Make tire safety a regular part of your vehicle
maintenance routine. Recognize that the time you spend
is minimal compared with the inconvenience and safety
consequences of a flat tire or other tire failure.
Understanding Tire Pressure and Load Limits
Tire inflation pressure is the level of air in the tire that
provides it with load-carrying capacity and affects the
overall performance of the vehicle. The tire inflation
pressure is a number that indicates the amount of air
pressure a tire requires to be properly inflated. It is
difficult to obtain the recommended tire pressure if your
tires are not cold. Because tires are designed to be used
on more than one type of vehicle, tire manufacturers list
the “maximum permissible inflation pressure” on the
tire sidewall. This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire under normal
driving conditions.
Note
The air pressure recommended on the tire
information placard is for the original standard
equipment tires only. Your trailer may be
equipped with optional-sized tires. Always
follow the pressure recommendations stamped
on the tire sidewall for any replacement tire.
Checking and Adjusting Tire Pressure
It is important to check your vehicle’s tire pressure at
least once a month, always before each trip, and at least
once a week while on the road. Not only do tires naturally
lose pressure over time, but they can lose air suddenly
if you drive over a pothole or other object, or if you strike
the curb. It is difficult to determine tire inflation pressure
by looking at the tire. Purchase a tire pressure gauge to
keep in your vehicle. Gauges can be purchased at tire
dealerships, auto supply stores and other retail outlets.
The recommended tire inflation pressure that vehicle
manufacturers provide reflects the proper psi when a tire
is cold. A “cold” tire is one that has not been driven on
for at least three hours. When you drive, your tires get
warmer, causing the air pressure within them to increase.
Therefore, to get an accurate tire pressure reading, you
must measure tire pressure when the tires are cold.
Refer to the tire’s sidewalls for the recommended tire
pressure. Your trailer may be equipped with optional
tires.
Check and write down the pressure in all tires.
If the tire pressure is too high in any of the tires, slowly
release air by gently pressing on the tire valve stem with
the edge of your tire gauge until you get to the correct
pressure.
If the tire pressure is too low, note the difference between
the measured tire pressure and the correct tire pressure.
You will need to add air to get to the correct pressure.
Add air pressure to each tire that is under-inflated.
Check all the tires again to make sure they have the
same air pressure.
If you have been towing your trailer and think that a tire
is under-inflated, fill it to the recommended cold inflation
pressure. Remember to recheck and adjust the pressure
in all tires when you can obtain a cold reading.
Tire Tread
The tire tread provides the gripping action and traction
that prevent your vehicle from slipping or sliding,
especially when the road is wet or icy. In general, tires
are not safe and should be replaced when the tread is
worn down to 1/16 of an inch. Tires have built-in tread-
wear indicators that let you know when it is time to
replace your tires. These indicators are raised sections
spaced intermittently in the bottom of the tread grooves.
When they appear “even” with the outside of the tread, it
is time to replace your tires.
Tire Life
Trailer tires may be worn out even though they still have
plenty of tread left. This is because trailer tires have
to carry a lot of weight all the time, even when not in
use. It is actually better for a tire to be rolling down