Before heading out on your camping trip, don’t forget to check the air pressure in your tires. Under inflation combined with high speeds causes excessive heat in tire and can cause tire failure. The recommended pressure is usually printed on the sidewall of the tire. It is also a good idea to look at your tires occasionally to check the wear pattern. Over inflated tires will wear in the center, while under inflated tires will show more wear at the edges. If you see scallop like patterns around the edges (also called cupping) you may have a loose wheel bearing or possibly an alignment problem. Also, check for sidewall cracking and/or bulges. Some sidewall cracks are normal in trailer tires, mostly from exposure to sunlight. Sidewall cracking should be checked periodically for depth and signs of cord showing. Cord showing or numerous deep cracks indicate that it is time for new tires.
