As the school holidays draw near, and with the summer season approaching, Bridgestone is directing a plea to the British public planning a vacation within the UK, emphasising the importance of tyre safety.
With the expected surge of caravans and camper vans taking to the roads again, many of which may have been inactive for several months, the road safety experts are offering straightforward advice to ensure a safe trip during the Great British Getaway.
Brett Emerson, Bridgestone's Consumer Sales Director, stressed the significance of thoroughly inspecting vehicles like caravans and trailer tents before their reuse, especially as their usage is expected to spike in the coming weeks. He cautioned motorists to be vigilant for signs of tyre deterioration, such as sidewall cracking and carcass deformation, particularly in caravans that have only been moved a few times a year, as they can experience 'flat spots' due to the vehicle's weight.
Emerson explained, "All tyres age and deteriorate due to exposure to sunlight and atmosphere, even when they're not being used and, if they're more than five years old, we recommend they be replaced. And if they're more than seven years old, they should just be replaced full-stop."
Furthermore, caravan tyres are prone to fatigue from regular small impacts during use, and prolonged periods of storage without use can cause excessive strain on specific areas of the tyre.
To help motorists ensure their tyres are safe, Bridgestone has compiled a tyre checklist to keep in mind:
- Regularly check inflation pressure.
- Inspect tyre treads and remove stones regularly.
- Clean off any oil, fuel, or paint from the tyres.
- Regularly examine tread wear, making sure it meets the legal minimum depth of 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre's breadth around its entire circumference.
- Replace any tyre that is blistered, ruptured, or has been penetrated by an object.
- Check the condition of the tyre valves, ensuring they are undamaged, aligned correctly with the valve aperture in the wheel, and not distorted when the wheel trim is installed.
It's crucial to verify that the valve is not leaking, especially after measuring inflation pressure, and ensure it has closed correctly. If there is any doubt, it is recommended to fit a new valve.
Brett also stressed the importance of correctly inflating the tyres on both the towing car and caravan, with helpful load and inflation advice available at: https://www.tyresafe.org/check-your-pressures/.
There is also an animation on the TyreSafe site, guiding caravanners through essential tyre care: https://www.tyresafe.org/caravan-tyre-pressure/
He emphasised, "Whatever tyres are fitted to the towing car, caravan, trailer tent or motorhome, it is essential to the safety and stability of the combination that all tyres are correctly inflated for the applied load."
Keeping tyres properly inflated leads to even wear, ensuring longer tyre life. Motorists are advised to check and adjust tyre pressures when they are cold, prior to starting their journey, and never reduce pressures when the tyres are warm, as they may become too low when they cool down.
Brett concluded by mentioning that the correct inflation pressures for car tyres can be found in the owner's handbook, often located inside the driver's door or on the fuel filler cap. Following these guidelines will help ensure a safe and enjoyable journey during the Great British Getaway.
