Monaco SIGNATURE 2001 series, Owner'S Manual

Page: 54 / 327

Check the tire pressure regularly. If a tire is punctured by a nail or screw,
creating a slow leak, it may eventually be spotted if it is a front tire or an
outside rear dual. However, if there is a leak on an inside dual the chances of
noticing it without an air pressure check are very slim. If you begin driving
unaware that an inside dual tire has a low air pressure or is flat, very quickly
(in most cases a few miles) the outside rear tire (next to the low air pressure
tire) will heat up from carrying double the load, leading to failure of the out-
side dual tire. The motorhome will end up with two tires flat on the same
side on the same axle.
The air pressure should be checked every two weeks or at least once a
month and before any major trip. The RV tire air pressure should be checked
every “drive” morning on both long and short trips (driving a day or less).
The tires should be checked before leaving on a trip and again before you
start your trip home. If the motorhome is stored for any length of time the air
pressure should be checked prior to storage. More importantly, check the tire
pressure when it is pulled out of storage.
Check the tire pressure when the tires are “cold” and have not been driv-
en for more than one mile. The stated load capacity for a given cold inflation
pressure is based on ambient outside temperature. If you must check the tires
when they are warm or hot, allow for a slight increase in air pressure and
make sure they are within a couple of pounds of each other on the same axle
(does not apply to slide-out equipped motorhomes). Never let air out of a hot
tire.
To check or maintain the inflation pressure in the tires, use a quality truck
tire air gauge which has an angle dual head. This type of gauge will allow
you to check inflation of the inner dual wheel which has the valve stem
pointing outward. The outer wheel has the valve stem pointing inward.
Nothing should restrict the ability to check the tire’s air pressure daily when
traveling in the motorhome. Pressure sealing valve caps should always be
used to prevent air from escaping from the valve stem. If there are valve
stem extension hoses, make sure they are good quality stainless steel braid
reinforced and are securely anchored to the outer wheel.
Optimum tire performance is achieved with proper inflation pressures for
the loads being carried. The air pressure of all tires should be checked and
corrected prior to travel, or daily if in full time use.
Tires of different patterns should not be mixed on the same axle. The dif-
ference in tractive force could cause rear end gear fight and mechanical dam-
age to the drive train. Tires of different size or construction must never be
mixed on the same axle.
Higher than recommended pressure can cause:
• Hard ride.
• Tire bruising or carcass damage.
• Rapid tread wear at center of tire.
Driving & Safety
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S I G N A T U R E S E R I E S 2 • 5 4
Inspecting &
Pressure