Holidaymakers Reminded To Make Pre-Easter Tyre Safety Checks

AHEAD of the Easter getaway, a leading tyre safety organisation is reminding the UK’s 650,000 caravan and motorhome owners about the importance of ensuring their tyres are in a safe, roadworthy condition before hitting the road.

Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe, said: “For many, Easter is the first time of the year that they will be heading away in their caravan or motorhome. After the winter when they’ve often had little or no use, it’s essential that the vehicle’s tyres are checked thoroughly before use otherwise a number of potential safety hazards could bring an abrupt end a relaxing holiday.”

As part of a visual inspection looking for obvious signs of damage such as lumps, bulges or cuts in the tyre, owners should also pay particular attention to signs of ageing. This can be seen by the presence of cracks in the sidewall rubber.

Owners should also check tread depth to ensure that it complies with the UK minimum tread depth regulations of 1.6mm across the central three quarters of the tread, around its entire circumference and ensure pressures are checked and correct when tyres are cold.

It’s important to remember that the pressures on any towing vehicle may need to be adjusted to accommodate the additional load being carried. Details of this can be found in the vehicle handbook.

Jackson adds: “It’s important that caravan and motorhome tyres are checked regularly throughout the entire season, but this is even more critical at the start of the year after any periods of lay-off.

“If you are in any doubt about tyre safety issues, don’t take any risks, seek professional advice to ensure your break isn’t brought to a premature end.”

TyreSafe is offering a free downloadable advice leaflet at its website, www.tyresafe.org.

By Press Association reporters