🚐 Why You Need to Check Your RV’s Tire Pressure Before Every Trip
- Jordan Concannon
- Mar 21
- 6 min read
(And What Could Go Seriously Wrong If You Don’t)
🛞 Skipping This One Thing Could Cost You Thousands on the Road
Before we ever pulled our camper out of the driveway for the first time, I read something in a forum that stuck with me: "RV tire blowouts don’t just destroy tires—they destroy your home."
At first, it felt a little dramatic. But after talking with RV techs across the country and hearing story after story of shredded underbellies, busted axles, and destroyed plumbing from one popped tire—I realized just how true it was.
And the most shocking part? Almost every one of those stories started with low tire pressure.
Tire pressure isn’t just a number on a gauge—it’s one of the most important safety checks before hitting the road. Unlike a car, an RV is heavier, longer, and carries more precious cargo (your entire home and your family). Even being just 5-10 PSI off can lead to faster wear, poor handling, and, in the worst-case scenario, a high-speed blowout.
We’ve made it part of our ritual before every move: check the tires, top them off if needed, and glance at our TPMS monitor before driving a single mile. It’s saved us more than once—from slow leaks to hot tire warnings on steep grades. And honestly, it gives us peace of mind knowing we’re not rolling the dice with every mile.
In this post, we’re digging into why RV tire pressure matters so much, how to check it properly, what tools we recommend, and the real risks of skipping this simple step. Whether you’re brand new to RV life or have been traveling full-time for years—this one’s a non-negotiable.
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🗂 Click to Skip Ahead:
The Importance of Tire Pressure in RV Safety
How RV Tire Pressure Affects Performance & Wear
What Causes Tire Pressure to Change?
The Dangers of Under- or Over-Inflated Tires
How to Check RV Tire Pressure (and When)
Recommended Tools (TPMS, Gauges, Inflators)
Cold PSI vs. Warm PSI: What’s the Difference?
Tire Load Ratings & PSI Charts
Real RV Blowout Stories (and How to Avoid Them)
Pro Tips from RV Technicians
Final Thoughts
🚨 The Importance of Tire Pressure in RV Safety
RV tires don’t get enough respect. They hold up your entire home-on-wheels—thousands of pounds of weight—rolling over heat-baked highways, rocky campgrounds, and long stretches between service stops.
Yet, far too many RVers roll out without even glancing at their tires.
Tire pressure is the single most important factor for preventing blowouts, maintaining fuel efficiency, and protecting your RV’s frame and suspension.
Failing to monitor your tire pressure before a trip can lead to:
Sudden blowouts at highway speeds
Irregular wear (requiring early tire replacement)
Damage to wheel wells, axles, and plumbing from shredded tires
Unsafe handling or swaying
Poor fuel mileage and added engine strain
In other words: it’s not just about saving your tires—it’s about protecting your entire rig (and your family).
🔍 How Tire Pressure Affects Performance & Wear
Think of your RV’s tires like the foundation of a house. When one part isn’t level or stable, the whole structure starts to strain.
Here’s what improper tire pressure affects:
📉 Under-Inflated Tires:
More surface area contacts the ground → increased friction
Creates more heat → rubber degrades faster
Sidewalls flex excessively → increased blowout risk
Reduces fuel efficiency by up to 10%
📈 Over-Inflated Tires:
Less rubber meets the road → less traction and stability
Increased bounce on rough terrain → premature wear on suspension
Uneven tread wear → reduces tire lifespan
Harder ride → impacts appliances and structure in your RV
🌡️ What Causes Tire Pressure to Change?
Tire pressure isn’t static—it fluctuates with temperature, altitude, weight load, and even time.
Temperature Swings: For every 10°F change, tire pressure changes by 1 PSI
Elevation Gain: Air pressure drops as you ascend → tire pressure increases
Sitting Still: Tires lose about 1 PSI per month naturally
Heavy Loads: Overloading your camper compresses tires, which can hide under-inflation
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re driving across regions with elevation or temperature shifts (like Omaha to the Rockies OR in the deserts of the SW), check pressure at each stop.
💣 What Happens If You Don’t Check Tire Pressure?
Here’s a real RV tech story from a friend of ours in Oklahoma:
A client came in with their rear fender torn clean off. Turns out, they hadn’t checked tire pressure in weeks, and one tire was 18 PSI below the recommended level. It overheated, blew out on the interstate, and took the entire sewer hose compartment, wheel well, and electric brake wiring with it.
Other Damage We’ve Seen:
Sewer and water lines ripped out
Slide mechanisms misaligned from tire shudder
Broken window seals from frame flex
Burned out wheel bearings due to added drag
🧰 How to Check RV Tire Pressure (and When)
Before Every Travel Day: This is a non-negotiable. Check every tire before you leave.
First Thing in the Morning: Always check pressure when tires are “cold” (before sunlight or driving affects temperature).
Before Long Trips or Changing Elevation: Re-check pressure after significant altitude or temperature changes.
Tools You’ll Need:
Tire Pressure Gauge (digital or analog, reads up to 150 PSI)
Tire Inflator/Compressor (portable with built-in gauge)
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
📟 TPMS: A Game-Changer for RVers
A TPMS uses valve cap sensors and a dashboard monitor to show real-time pressure and temperature for each tire. It alerts you instantly to drops or spikes while driving.
Brands we like:
TST 507 – Reliable, weather-resistant, customizable
EEZTire – Budget-friendly with easy setup
TireMinder i10 – Large display, great for dually setups
🛠️ We installed a TPMS after hearing too many horror stories. Haven’t had a blowout yet, but it has warned us twice of slow leaks before major issues!
🧊 Cold PSI vs. Warm PSI: What’s the Difference?
Cold PSI is the pressure recommended by your RV or tire manufacturer. It's what you should always aim for before driving, typically found on:
The tire sidewall
RV’s driver-side frame sticker
Owner’s manual
Warm PSI (after driving) will be 5–10 PSI higher due to heat.
⚠️ Do NOT release air from warm tires to “normalize” PSI. Doing so may leave you under-inflated when they cool down.
⚖️ Tire Load Ratings & PSI Charts
Every tire has a load rating—the maximum weight it can safely carry at a specific PSI.
Use load charts from manufacturers like Goodyear or Michelin to match:
Your tire model
Your RV’s total weight (per axle)
Correct PSI to support that weight
💡 Don’t guess your RV’s weight. Use a CAT Scale (truck stop) or weigh each axle individually if possible.
📖 Real-Life RV Blowout Stories
🚛 “The $3,000 Blowout”
A full-timer near Dallas ignored a slow leak warning from their TPMS. They figured it could wait until the next stop. The tire blew on the road, sending rubber through the wheel well and into the side of their travel trailer—tearing through insulation and damaging wiring.
Repairs took 3 weeks and cost over $3,000.
🎡 “The Forgotten Spare”
An older couple we with had a blowout 40 miles outside Omaha. They had a spare, but it was 12 years old and dry-rotted. When they put it on, it blew 10 miles later. We had to replace the entire axle due to the heat damage from the first blowout.
Moral of the story: check your spare as often as your main tires.
🧠 Technician Tips to Keep in Mind
Buy a quality tire gauge – the cheap ones are often inaccurate
Replace tires every 5–6 years, even with good tread
Don’t trust appearance alone – sidewalls degrade from UV exposure
Keep valve stems tight and clean – especially if using TPMS sensors
Store your RV on tire pads to avoid flat spots when parked long term
Use tire covers to protect against UV rays
✅ Final Thoughts: Don’t Skip the Pressure Check
It takes 3 minutes to check your tires.
It can cost thousands to skip it.
Tire blowouts are one of the top 3 reasons RVers experience catastrophic damage on the road—and nearly all of them are preventable with a simple pressure check and some basic tools.
If you’re new to RVing, invest in a good TPMS and pressure gauge. If you’ve been traveling a while, make it part of your departure routine. You’ll save your wallet, your rig, and maybe even your life.
Rollin', rollin', rollin', keep your camper rollin' on high!
Jordan @ Rolling Rabbit RV Repair
"Keeping you rolling, wherever the road takes you."
📍 Omaha, Nebraska
📞 (Text/call 402 - 699 - 4053 to schedule a service!)
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