We see these stories about vans catching fire and most of the stories do not give a reason.
Whenever I travel I worry about a van tyre having a blow out and me not noticing it until it catches fire. We have a dual axle van.
So.. How do I keep an eye on the tyres?
a) Stop every 100 k and check as per standard recommendations. That's good but it may blow out just after I check.
b) Use the mirrors to focus on the van tyres and check regularly. Not sure about that!
c) Put in Tyre Pressure Monitors. I have read a bit about that but not sure if they work. I have not been vanning for long enough to notice how many GN's have these things.
Does anyone have other suggestions or advice?
Tony
Dougwe said
05:50 PM Apr 4, 2018
Hi Tony,
I have Clearview mirrors on the Collie and can see clearly down both sides so would notice a problem, I think. I hope. I also do most of my travel in the AM and due to one of my meds need to do a loo stop every hour during that travel time and do a walk around Collie and Aluminium TeePee.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Kebbin said
06:12 PM Apr 4, 2018
Tony you can also get a tyre monitoring system that would set your mind at ease.
We flat tow a Terios behind the motorhome. Have installed a safe-t-tyre system to monitor its tyres in this situation. Last week, alarm sounded just after we'd started out for the day. Low pressure on one tyre. The system probably prevented us from ruining a near new tyre, plus maybe damaging the vehicle if it had blown out, or caught fire! The system is a bit fiddly but well worth it.
PeterInSa said
08:28 PM Apr 4, 2018
Some Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) monitor Tyre Pressure and Temperature.
I use a TyreGuard 400 System with a signal booster for Tug and Tandem Van. Tyre Sensors can be swapped over to a boat Trailer when the van is not in use.
I think the Tyredog range of TPMS units are very popular.
I would make sure you get a unit/number of sensors, that can monitor the van as well as the back wheels of the tug at least. ( some units can only monitor 4 sensors)
TPMS units on ebay in some instances have larger sensors, which I would give a miss as even the smaller sensors sometimes hit the tyre rim. There are fixes to stop rim paint scrapes/damage.
Peter
mullpadd said
09:30 AM Apr 5, 2018
Thanks everyone for your replies. Looks like a bit more research into TPMS's is needed. I vaguely remember reading somewhere that they can affect wheel balance but I guess that will come out in the research.
Thanks
Tony
Santa said
10:13 AM Apr 5, 2018
Most van fires are caused by fueling or cooking mistakes/failures, as far as wheel bearing/tyre fires are concerned, it can happen however pretty unusual, I've yet to see one.
Suggest you read up on, and understand fuel/cooking safety in caravans and have the mechanics of your van maintained by a qualified and reputable mechanic, then, knowing you've done all within your power to minimise the fire risk, try to enjoy your travels.
Dougwe offers excellent advice re a set of mirrors, have a good set fitted and use them.
-- Edited by Santa on Thursday 5th of April 2018 10:27:37 AM
-- Edited by Santa on Thursday 5th of April 2018 10:32:46 AM
-- Edited by Santa on Thursday 5th of April 2018 10:34:05 AM
circlek said
09:07 PM Apr 6, 2018
Hi Tony, we had a blowout on our dual axle van on one of our trips, we had only just left the town we had just gone thru so not going fast and we noticed smoke coming from the wheels on the drivers side, luckily we were able to pull up and no fire. We didn't feel or hear anything. Just keep an eye out in your mirrors :)
mullpadd said
09:21 AM Apr 8, 2018
Thanks circlek and Santa.
Aus-Kiwi said
09:31 AM Apr 8, 2018
The stronger light truck tyre does make more noise & vibration when they go flat compared to performance car tyres . Often blow outs are from tyre pressure being too low and tyre over heating .
In some cases, you may find that modern manufacturer safety margins for your axle/tyres mean that you should think about the maximum weight for your caravan actually being less than is on the compliance plate.
Hi,
We see these stories about vans catching fire and most of the stories do not give a reason.
Whenever I travel I worry about a van tyre having a blow out and me not noticing it until it catches fire. We have a dual axle van.
So.. How do I keep an eye on the tyres?
a) Stop every 100 k and check as per standard recommendations. That's good but it may blow out just after I check.
b) Use the mirrors to focus on the van tyres and check regularly. Not sure about that!
c) Put in Tyre Pressure Monitors. I have read a bit about that but not sure if they work. I have not been vanning for long enough to notice how many GN's have these things.
Does anyone have other suggestions or advice?
Tony
Hi Tony,
I have Clearview mirrors on the Collie and can see clearly down both sides so would notice a problem, I think. I hope. I also do most of my travel in the AM and due to one of my meds need to do a loo stop every hour during that travel time and do a walk around Collie and Aluminium TeePee.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
safe-t-tyre.com.au/
I use a TyreGuard 400 System with a signal booster for Tug and Tandem Van. Tyre Sensors can be swapped over to a boat Trailer when the van is not in use.
daviescraig.com.au/tyreguard-tpms
I think the Tyredog range of TPMS units are very popular.
I would make sure you get a unit/number of sensors, that can monitor the van as well as the back wheels of the tug at least. ( some units can only monitor 4 sensors)
TPMS units on ebay in some instances have larger sensors, which I would give a miss as even the smaller sensors sometimes hit the tyre rim. There are fixes to stop rim paint scrapes/damage.
Peter
Thanks everyone for your replies. Looks like a bit more research into TPMS's is needed. I vaguely remember reading somewhere that they can affect wheel balance but I guess that will come out in the research.
Thanks
Tony
Most van fires are caused by fueling or cooking mistakes/failures, as far as wheel bearing/tyre fires are concerned, it can happen however pretty unusual, I've yet to see one.
Suggest you read up on, and understand fuel/cooking safety in caravans and have the mechanics of your van maintained by a qualified and reputable mechanic, then, knowing you've done all within your power to minimise the fire risk, try to enjoy your travels.
Dougwe offers excellent advice re a set of mirrors, have a good set fitted and use them.
Good information here https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/safetyinformation/fire/bushfire/Pages/caravanfiresafety.aspx
Plenty more available if you do a Google search.
-- Edited by Santa on Thursday 5th of April 2018 10:27:37 AM
-- Edited by Santa on Thursday 5th of April 2018 10:32:46 AM
-- Edited by Santa on Thursday 5th of April 2018 10:34:05 AM
Hi Tony, we had a blowout on our dual axle van on one of our trips, we had only just left the town we had just gone thru so not going fast and we noticed smoke coming from the wheels on the drivers side, luckily we were able to pull up and no fire. We didn't feel or hear anything. Just keep an eye out in your mirrors :)
www.tyresafe.org/check-your-pressures/caravan-pressure-calculator/
In some cases, you may find that modern manufacturer safety margins for your axle/tyres mean that you should think about the maximum weight for your caravan actually being less than is on the compliance plate.