MCSA - Motorhomeclub of South-Africa.

MOTORHOMES AND TYRES

(Written by Richard Clark)

INTRODUCTION

Most common road vehicles comply with a factory specification, and thus have predictable tare and gross permissible masses that can be found in tables available from tyre retailers, or from the vehicle manufacturer. Choice of correct tyres for such vehicle should therefore not be a problem. Equally important is the provision of correct inflation pressures, front and back, for the loads that such tyres will be expected to bear on that particular vehicle.

Motorhomes, on the other hand, differ in that they are extensively and invariably modified and customised after manufacture, to the extent that it has been said that there is virtually no such thing as a "standard motorhome". Tyre loadings for any individual motorhome can therefore only be known by measurement on a weighbridge or load-palette and recording these readings. Front-end and rear-end measurements (there will be errors, if the vehicle is not level) as well as total vehicle mass, loaded as if the motorhome would be prepared for a tour or holiday, should be recorded. It is illegal for any vehicle to have a left-to-right-side mass that differs in excess of 10%. It is also illegal for any motorhome to be on the road with a loaded-up total mass that exceeds the plated GVM, or either of the plated permissible maximum "axle masses", front or back.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

A tyre should have a compatible fit with the rim to be used. Complete tyre

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