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Show RIPs: C3 Sot Tiros f jo S:f3 Many of the nation's five and one-half million recrea- : tional vehicles (RV's) are off and running, and timely tire ; safety and maintenance checks will help keep them on ; the track all season, says the : Tire Industry Safety Council. j "TWO important precautions precau-tions are: first, make sure i you have enough tread left to j get off to a safe start this season, then check regularly : to insure your tires are properly inflated," said Council Chairman Malcolm R. Lovell, Jr. "According to the National : Highway Traffic Safety Administration Ad-ministration tires are bald, or : unsafe, if they have less than 116 inch of tread depth between two grooves," Lovell said. "MANY RV drivers mistakenly mis-takenly overinflate their tires to handle heavy loads," Lovell also said, "but inflation infla-tion beyond the safe limit is no substitute for the proper tires for the weight you want to carry." Inflating beyond the maximum allowable pressure in pounds per square inch, the "psi max" figure molded on the sidewall, hardens the tire to the point it becomes extremely vulnerable to possible pos-sible damage, inside and out. ALL RV'S manufactured since the beginning of 1972 have gross axle weight ratings rat-ings on a label attached near the driver's seat. Divide the number of tires on the axle into its weight rating to determine de-termine the load each tire must carry. To check RV tire load limitations limi-tations write for a free copy of the Council's Recreational Vehicle Consumer Tire Guide. Address letters to "Recreation," Box 726, N. Y., N. Y. 10010. THE GUIDE also includes other critical information on RV tire safety and proper vehicle loading. Tire load limitations can also be checked in the vehicle owner's manual, or by consulting con-sulting a tire dealer. OTHER RV tire safety and maintenance recommendations recommenda-tions from the Tire Industry Safety Council : Radial tires should not be used on RV trailers unless the tire and vehicle manufacturers manufac-turers specifically recommend recom-mend it. Never put radials on the same axle with bias or belted bias tires. Many RV's are driven for prolonged periods in hot weather, increasing tire air pressure. Never "bleed" hot tires, or they could become dangerously underinflated. Pressure will subside normally nor-mally as the tire cools down. Check tires only when tires are cold. Always carry a spare tire, and include a spare wheel assembly as-sembly if your RV is a trailer. Spares in the right size may be hard to find in the places you plan to travel. " The reasonable speed you drive may be tough on the smaller tires of the trailer you are towing. Watch for overheating and excessive wear. |