I check my tyres pressures weekly, especially if we are driving long distances.
The chances are that when you take your car and caravan out for an extended trip, both will be close to( if not exceeding) their maximum weight limits. It stands to reason you will need higher tyre pressures to safely cope with this load.
If you intend to venture offroad, and by this I mean a long-distance drive across a gravel or corrugated road, then we have to consider much lower tyre pressures. Again, many owners will grossly underestimate just how low they will need to take the pressure down to avoid damaging the tyres.
The way to calculate the exact tyre pressures for your rig will vary depending on the type of tyre, the construction and the recommendations of the manufacturer. Again, the RAC article offers a detailed method to do it yourself. But if you’ re not mathematically inclined, I strongly recommend having your rig weighed by a professional caravan weighing service to obtain the actual weight on each wheel and consult your tyre dealer for the correct pressure for that amount of weight.
Don’ t be surprised to learn that you require pressures of 50psi in the front tyres of your tow vehicle, and 60psi in the rear. A singleaxle caravan could need 55psi in each tyre, and a tandem-axle van slightly less.
If you need to drive long distances on gravel roads, you may need to reduce tyre pressures to as low as 20-25psi in all your tyres, or less for severe gravel and corrugated tracks. Under these pressures, you must reduce speed and drive to the conditions. Never exceed 80km / h and avoid sharp changes in direction.
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