The Caravan Tyre Pressure Question Everyone's Asking

The Caravan Tyre Pressure Question Everyone's Asking

We recently sent out a newsletter about saving fuel on the road: smarter kilometres, lighter loads, and slowing down to enjoy the journey.

One of our readers, Jason, a full time traveller living and working out of his caravan, wrote back with a question we get asked all the time. It's one of those topics that causes a lot of confusion and debate at caravan parks, tyre shops, and around the campfire.

We thought it was too good not to share, along with Mike's honest, straight talking answer.

 

 

Jason's Question

Jason travels full time with his partner and knows his weights well. He regularly checks on weigh bridges, stays legal on all axle weights, and takes his rig seriously. But he ran into a problem at a tyre shop.

The tyre shop owner told him his rear tyre pressure was way too high and that it would break his chassis. Jason disagreed, because he uses a formula to calculate the exact right tyre pressure for the load he's carrying at any given time. His pressures change depending on whether he's hitched or unhitched, loaded or unloaded.

His question to Mike: who's right?

Mike's Answer, Simplified

Mike's honest answer? It's complicated, and anyone who tells you there's one simple answer probably isn't giving you the full picture.

Here's what Mike actually said:

1. Tyre pressure is a specialist topic

To get a truly exact answer, you'd need to be an engineer who specialises in tyres and suspension. Even tyre shop owners don't always have that level of expertise, which is why you get conflicting advice.

2. Pressures change with temperature

In theory, you should be adjusting your tyre pressure throughout the day as the temperature changes. As tyres heat up, the pressure inside increases. A common rule of thumb that Mike uses and recommends is the 4 PSI rule: expect around 4 PSI increase from cold to warm as you drive. This works reasonably well as a starting point.

3. Your load changes everything

Jason is absolutely right that tyre pressure should change based on your load. When you're hitched up and loaded, weight shifts between axles. The rear axle of your tow vehicle carries more weight when hitched, so it makes sense to run higher pressure there. The front axle often carries less, so pressure can come down slightly. This is exactly what Jason was doing, and it's the correct approach.

4. Sometimes lower pressure is the right call

Here's something interesting. Mike actually runs his own caravan tyres slightly lower than the calculated ideal. Why? Because his independent suspension is very firm, and running at the mathematically correct pressure made the ride too harsh. Over time, that harshness caused hairline cracks to develop in his chassis. Running slightly lower pressure gives more compliance in the ride and reduces stress on the chassis, even if it means the pressure rises a bit more than usual when warm. He's happy with that tradeoff.

5. The best resource Mike recommends

For detailed, trustworthy answers on tyre pressure, Mike points to automotive journalist and engineer Robert Pepper, who has written extensively on this topic and is one of the most credible voices in the Australian 4WD and caravan space.

The Simple Takeaway

If you want a practical starting point for caravan tyre pressures:

• Know your weights. Use a weigh bridge or one of these scales.
• Use a formula based on your actual load. Not just the tyre sidewall number.
• Apply the 4 PSI cold-to-warm rule. Expect pressure to rise as you drive.
• Adjust for hitched vs unhitched. Your load distribution changes, so your pressures should too.
• Listen to your ride. If it feels too harsh, slightly lower pressure may actually protect your chassis in the long run.
• When in doubt, consult a specialist. Not just any tyre shop.

Try Our Tyre Pressure Calculator

Not sure what pressure you should be running? Use our tyre pressure calculator below to get a starting point based on your load.

 

A Note From Mike

"I'm not going to weigh in on this too much (pun intended), because to answer it exactly you really need an engineer who specialises in tyres and suspension. But the 4 PSI cold to warm rule works reasonably well as a practical guide, and knowing your weights is the most important starting point. Don't let a tyre shop bully you if you've done your homework."

-Mike Silich, Managing Director, Everything Caravans

More Fuel Saving Tips for the Road

While we're on the topic of getting more from every tank, here are a few simple things that make a real difference on a long trip:

1. Shorten your daily drive. Fewer hours behind the wheel often means lower fuel use and a more relaxed trip.
2. Stop when it feels right. Staying put for an extra night beats pushing further for the sake of it.
3. Check tyre pressures regularly. Properly inflated tyres improve towing efficiency and handling.
4. Lighten the load. Carry what you need, not everything you own.
5. Plan fewer moves. Two or three nights at one spot saves fuel and creates a better travel rhythm.

Have a question for Mike or our team? Hit reply to any of our emails or call us on (03) 9574 1900. We're always happy to help.

 

Everything Caravans | 22 Greens Rd, Dandenong South, Melbourne VIC 3195