Motorhome Tyre Poll Results
In our last newsletter, we asked you to give us feedback regarding the tyres on your motorhomes and campervans. As ever, we got a great response, and we appreciate your engagement. Here’s a round-up of what you told us.
Our initial question was: Do you check the tyre pressure on your motorhome/campervan before making each trip? A reassuring 76% of you answered yes – well done! But of course, at first glance, that leaves nearly one in four responders who said they don’t.
Now that could be interpreted as a high number, but as expected, the majority of those who don’t check every single time, told us that they check on a regular basis, just not every single journey – which makes perfect sense, especially if you use your van a lot.
Of the others, many feel they have the experience to check when required, or own a van that has a built-in automated tyre-pressure monitoring system, which is becoming almost ubiquitous in modern rigs. Isn’t technology wonderful?
Others told us they have invested in an after-market tyre pressure monitoring system, such as Tyrepal - see on the Safety & Security newsletter for details of how to save 20% on Tyrepal pressure monitoring systems through the Club Shop.
In fact, once everything is taken into account, the number of responders who actually don’t check is very low indeed. So well done Club members, it’s reassuring to see how seriously you take the safety of your passengers.
However, a small but significant proportion of responders answered that they don’t have the equipment to check their tyres. This is an easy fix – a manual tyre pressure gauge can be purchased for as little as £5, with hand-held digital gauges available for under £10. Most of these also include a tread depth gauge as well.
And a slightly higher outlay – but still under £25 – will get you a digital tyre inflator pump that is powered by your battery and, of course, includes a digital pressure gauge. It’s a small price to pay for a key safety feature.
We also asked you about spare tyres for your motorhome/campervan, and a reassuring 80% of respondents said they carry a spare. Of the one in five who told us they don’t carry a spare, the vast majority said it was because their motorhome/campervan either came without a spare or doesn’t have room for one, and that they have invested in alternative measures, such as carrying inflation and sealant/repair kits and in most cases are also subscribed to a breakdown and recovery service. Don’t forget that the Club’s MAYDAY UK Breakdown service includes cover for punctures and other tyre and wheel issues.
It’s hard to overstate how important it is to carry a spare tyre for your van if possible, not to mention ensuring it’s in good serviceable condition. If you travel overseas - which over 35% of our respondents said they do - this becomes even more important, as sourcing motorhome/campervan wheels on the continent can be time-consuming and disrupt your journey plans.
So the key takeaway here is simple: if you have the capacity to carry a spare, always do so. And when you’re checking the pressures on your tyres, don’t forget to check the pressure on the spare as well.
So there we have it. We hardly need to tell you what an important safety measure it is to have good-condition tyres that are regularly checked for tread depths and correct inflation pressures. Remember, whatever speed you’re doing and whatever surface you are on, your tyres are your only contact with the road. So don’t skimp on safety, and have safe travels!
And don't forget, should you find yourself on the receiving end of a puncture or a blowout, the Club's MAYDAY UK Breakdown Cover can help get you back on the road.