Motorhome Tyre Pressure

Stationmaster
Stationmaster Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited October 2017 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

I've always been advised to keep my Autocruise 6 metre motorhome tyres at round about 65psi.  This is becoming difficult!  Compressors working off 12 volt systems are fine for our car but cannot cope with pressures that high - and increasingly I find garage forecourt air supplies are restricted below that level, maybe for safety reasons.  A footpump works, but is incredibly hard work and most footpumps are in any case not rebust enough to last long doing the job.  How do other motorhome owners solve this one?  Are there 12 volt compressors out there that will do the job?

All suggestions gratefully received!

Comments

  • KENNYG
    KENNYG Forum Participant Posts: 215
    100 Comments
    edited October 2017 #2

    Halfford 12v tyre inflator up to 100 psi I use one for caravan tyres up to 65 psi hope this helps. 

  • dougA
    dougA Forum Participant Posts: 142
    edited October 2017 #3

    Hi, I have used the Ring Rac635 on caravan and now motorhome tyres. No probs at all and it inflates to 80psi.

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/RAC635-Inflator-Compressor-Inflation-Adaptors/dp/B00OP0WZGI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1508083759&sr=8-1&keywords=tyre+inflator+ring

  • KeithandMargaret
    KeithandMargaret Forum Participant Posts: 660
    500 Comments
    edited October 2017 #4

    A Ring RAC830 is very popular and will do the job without problems – check the pressures with a digital pressure gauge.

    Are you sure the 65psi all round is the correct pressure for your Autocruise?

    You can use the TyreSafe Motorhome Tyre Inflation Pressure Advice to find what pressures they advise.

    You need to know the front and rear axle weights (around £5 to use a local weighbridge) and the size and type of tyres you have.

    A few clicks on their advice chart and you get the recommended pressures.

    With the tyres I have fitted (225/70 R 15C 112/110) on my Pilote and with front axle 1560kg and rear axle 1940kg confirmed fully laden by a weighbridge the recommended pressures are 47psi front and 61psi rear.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,864 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2017 #5

    I always use a foot pump having had several 12v pumps which have all failed or have blown fuses. Surely you don't ever have to put so much air in a tyre that a foot pump is too much hard work?

    David

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2017 #6

    I've always used a foot pump in the past. Not having to change the car's tyre pressures for towing is a bonus now that I have a MH.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2017 #7

    as with the K&M post above, for those interested in getting the correct tyre pressures for 'their' van rather than the generic Ducato defaults of 'rock hard', the two main camper thre companies, Michelin and Continental are both happy to supply info either by phone/email or by making their charts available...but you must specify the exact tyre size, model etc.

    i emailed Continental following a visit to a weighbridge and got the following data reply,

    as earlier comments, it does show how much lower (read 'more comfortable') the correct pressures are...

    weigh van fully loaded (incl wine allowance)

    - 3420 kg, front 1600 (max 1850), rear 1820 (max 2000) 

    Continental tyre pressures as follows.....
    Front Axle: 1600 Kg - 3.0 bar/ 43.5 psi 
    Rear Axle: 1820 Kg - 3.75 bar/ 54.3 psi 

  • Aspenshaw
    Aspenshaw Forum Participant Posts: 611
    500 Comments
    edited October 2017 #8

    https://www.tyresafe.org/check-your-pressures/motorhomes/

    Have a look at the above website. It's independent. 

    I use a Ring RAC900. I also have a separate reliable tyre pressure gauge.

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2017 #9

    I have an RAC ring 900 -- Brilliant piece of kit.--- None of this plugging into a cigar lighter socket..., the power is derived straight from the vehicle battery via two H/D crocodile clips. 

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2017 #10

    "I've always been advised to keep my Autocruise 6 metre motorhome tyres at round about 65psi."

    in a 6m van these pressures are almost certainly way too high.

    check out the website highlighted or contact the tyre manufacturer directly and you will be surprised at the correct pressures and highly delighted with the improvements in ride quality. 

  • Stationmaster
    Stationmaster Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited October 2017 #11

     many thanks for all replies. I will certainly check the correct pressures before buying (obviously) a more powerful inflator.

    I am not lazy about footpumps, but I am 70 and awaiting two new knees!

     

  • Fisherman
    Fisherman Forum Participant Posts: 2,367
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2017 #12

     My Autocruise Rhythm has a label by passenger door. States front 60 and rear 65 psi. Use local farmers compressor to check on regular basis. Seems to have worked OK over last 30K miles.

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2017 #13

    Is the direct from battery superior to the cigar lighter method, more of a faff I can believe but I can't see how it is any different power wisefrown

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2017 #14

    The cigarette lighter is fused at quite a low power and the Ring has quite a substantial compressor which requires higher power and direct connection to the battery. It is a far better unit, faster, and suitable for the higher pressures required by a Motorhome.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,864 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2017 #15

    Don't Ring have a 230v version of one of their pumps? That might seem a better option but only if you are at home or on site.

    David