RV Tire Safety: Blowout Prevention and Pressure Guide

The #1 Roadside Emergency for RVers

Drive any major highway in the summer and you'll see the evidence: shredded tire carcasses littering the shoulder. Many of them came from RVs and travel trailers.

Tire blowouts are the most common — and most preventable — emergency for RV travelers. Nearly all of them come down to three factors: incorrect pressure, overloading, and age.

Why RV Tires Fail

Underinflation (The #1 Cause)

An underinflated tire flexes more than it should. This generates heat, weakens the sidewall, and eventually causes a catastrophic failure. Even 10% underinflation significantly increases heat buildup.

The dangerous part: an underinflated tire on a trailer doesn't feel any different from inside the tow vehicle. You won't know until it blows.

Overloading

Every tire has a load rating stamped on the sidewall. Exceed it, and you're asking for a blowout. This is directly tied to weight compliance — if your trailer is overweight, your tires are overloaded.

Age

Tires degrade over time, even if they look fine. UV exposure, ozone, and temperature cycles break down the rubber compounds. Most tire manufacturers and the NHTSA recommend replacing tires after 5-7 years, regardless of tread depth.

Check the DOT date code on your tire sidewall. It's a four-digit number: the first two digits are the week, the last two are the year. "2519" means the tire was made in week 25 of 2019.

Correct Tire Pressure

Find the Right Pressure

The correct pressure depends on the actual weight on each tire, not just the maximum pressure on the sidewall.

1. Weigh your loaded trailer at a CAT scale (get individual axle weights if possible)
2. Divide the axle weight by the number of tires on that axle
3. Look up the correct pressure for that weight in the tire manufacturer's load and inflation table
4. This is your target pressure — not the max PSI on the sidewall

When to Check

• Before every trip — when tires are cold (not driven for at least 3 hours)
• Every morning during multi-day trips
• After significant temperature changes — tire pressure drops about 1 PSI for every 10°F drop in temperature

TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)

A TPMS is the single best safety upgrade you can add to your RV. Sensors on each tire transmit real-time pressure and temperature to a display in your cab.

You'll get an alert before a tire goes critical — giving you time to pull over safely instead of experiencing a sudden blowout at highway speed.

Recommended systems: TST, TireMinder, EEZTire. Budget $150-$300 for a quality system.

Pre-Trip Tire Inspection

Before every trip, walk around and check:

• [ ] Pressure — Use a quality gauge, not the gas station one
• [ ] Tread depth — Minimum 4/32" for trailer tires (use the penny test)
• [ ] Sidewall cracks — Any cracking means the tire is aging out
• [ ] Bulges or blisters — Indicates internal damage, replace immediately
• [ ] Uneven wear — Could indicate alignment, suspension, or overloading issues
• [ ] Valve stems — Check for cracks, leaks, and missing caps
• [ ] Lug nuts — Torque to spec (especially after tire changes or wheel removal)

ST Tires vs. LT Tires

Most travel trailers come with ST (Special Trailer) tires. These are designed for the unique stresses of trailer use — higher load capacity at the cost of ride comfort.

Some RV owners switch to LT (Light Truck) tires for better durability and availability. This can work, but make sure the LT tire has an equal or higher load rating than the ST tire it replaces.

Never use passenger (P) tires on a trailer. They're not designed for the lateral forces trailers experience.

If You Have a Blowout

1. Don't panic or slam the brakes — this makes it worse
2. Keep the steering wheel straight and firm
3. Gently press the accelerator briefly to stabilize (counterintuitive but it works)
4. Gradually slow down by easing off the gas
5. Pull off the road as far as safely possible
6. Turn on hazard lights and set out reflective triangles

Spare Tire Readiness

• Is your spare properly inflated? (Check it every time you check your other tires)
• Do you have the tools to change it? (Jack, lug wrench, torque wrench)
• Have you practiced changing a tire on your trailer?
• Consider carrying a plug kit for temporary repairs

KamperHub Tire Tools

KamperHub's tire pressure calculator helps you find the right pressure based on your actual loaded weight and tire specs. Enter your tire size and axle weights to get a precise recommendation.

Calculate your tire pressures for free.

Useful Resources

• Tyre & Rim Association of Australia
• NHVR — Tyre Safety
• Bridgestone — Tyre Pressure Guide

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KamperHub Team

Helping travellers tow safely and confidently. KamperHub provides tools for trip planning, weight compliance, and adventure management.