Whether you’re preparing for a long-haul journey or heading off for a weekend getaway, setting the right tyre pressure on your caravan is critical. It’s a detail that often gets overlooked — but it directly impacts safety, tyre wear, towing stability, and fuel efficiency.
If you’re shopping for caravans in Heatherbrae, understanding how to maintain tyre pressure should be part of your pre-trip checklist. Let’s break down the basics, common mistakes, and expert-backed advice so your van rolls smoothly — every time.
Why Caravan Tyre Pressure Matters
Tyre pressure affects how a caravan handles on the road. If the tyres are underinflated, they can overheat, lose structural integrity, and even fail at high speeds. Overinflation, on the other hand, reduces contact with the road, increasing the risk of skidding or uneven wear.
Key benefits of proper tyre pressure include:
- Safer handling during turns and braking
- Improved towing stability
- Better fuel efficiency for your tow vehicle
- Longer lifespan for your tyres
What PSI Should I Use?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — but most caravans will fall within the 45–65 PSI range. The exact number depends on:
- Tyre size and load rating
- Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM)
- Axle configuration (single or tandem)
- Load distribution inside the van
You can usually find a recommended PSI on the tyre sidewall or inside the van near the wheel arch or chassis plate. This is your starting point — then adjust based on load and road conditions.
How to Calculate the Right Pressure
A general rule is:
Tyre pressure (in PSI) = Total load per tyre ÷ Load index multiplier
But most travellers use a simpler approach:
- Weigh your loaded caravan at a public weighbridge
- Divide the weight per axle by the number of tyres
- Cross-check that weight with the tyre’s load index chart
- Inflate to the corresponding PSI — then test and monitor from there
Tyre manufacturers like Michelin and Goodyear provide load vs. pressure tables to help you dial it in precisely.
Should Front and Rear Tyres Match?
If your caravan has a tandem axle, ensure all tyres are the same size, load rating, and pressure. For single axle vans, matching pressures on both sides is critical.
There’s no need to differentiate between “front” and “rear” like in a car. However, if your load is unbalanced (more weight over one axle), you may need to fine-tune accordingly — though a weight redistribution is usually the better solution.
Tyre Pressure for Different Road Conditions
Sealed Roads
- Stick close to the manufacturer’s PSI recommendation
- Monitor tyre heat during long stretches or hot weather
Gravel or Corrugated Roads
- Drop pressure by 10–15% to increase surface contact and reduce vibration
- Reduce speed to maintain control and prevent damage
Beach or Soft Sand
- Drop pressure to 20–25 PSI, but only if absolutely necessary and at very low speeds
- Reinflate before returning to sealed surfaces
Make sure you carry a portable compressor and gauge if venturing off-road.
How Often Should You Check Pressure?
Ideally, before every trip — and during longer hauls, every couple of days or 300–500km.
Use a quality digital or analogue gauge and check when tyres are cold (before driving). Hot tyres give false high readings. Also check:
- Valve stems for cracks
- Tyre tread for wear
- Sidewalls for bulges or cuts
If you’ve hit a pothole or kerb recently, check again — just in case.
Temperature and Tyre Pressure
Ambient temperature affects pressure — for every 10°C change, pressure shifts by ~1 PSI. That means:
- Tyres may lose pressure overnight in cold weather
- Driving in extreme heat can cause over-inflation if not adjusted
In summer, early morning checks are best. In winter, allow a few minutes of driving before rechecking, but always start from a cold baseline.
Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS)
A TPMS is a real-time sensor system that alerts you to pressure drops or overheating. Many new caravans — especially off-road models — come with these built-in. If not, aftermarket systems are affordable and easy to install.
They help detect:
- Slow leaks
- Overheating due to underinflation
- Tyre delamination risks
Even though they’re not legally required, they’re worth their weight in gold for long-distance safety.
FAQs
1) How Do I Know the Correct Tyre Pressure for My Caravan?
The best place to start is the sidewall of your tyres — this shows the maximum recommended pressure based on the tyre’s load capacity. But remember, this is the upper limit, not a one-size-fits-all number. You need to consider the total weight of your caravan when fully loaded, your axle configuration (single or tandem), and how that weight is distributed. If you’re unsure, the tyre shop that fitted your tyres can help, or consult the manufacturer’s load tables online. It’s also worth weighing your van at a public weighbridge — divide the total by the number of tyres to understand the load per tyre. Then, match that load to the ideal PSI on the tyre’s technical chart. Many caravanners also tweak slightly for comfort or terrain (e.g., lowering by 5–10 PSI on corrugated roads). Just don’t guess — get your figures and adjust from there.
2) What Happens If My Caravan Tyre Pressure Is Too Low?
Low pressure increases the surface contact between the tyre and the road — which might sound good, but it’s not. It causes excess flexing and heat build-up, which can lead to:
- Blowouts
- Increased fuel consumption
- Uneven tyre wear
- Poor handling or swaying under tow
Over time, underinflated tyres wear out faster and may even cause rim damage if left unchecked. Most caravan blowouts happen not from nails or punctures, but from overheating due to low pressure. It’s also harder to maintain lane control in windy conditions. That’s why cold-pressure checks before each trip are so important. Invest in a good compressor and tyre gauge, and don’t forget to check your spare while you’re at it.
3) Can I Use the Same Tyre Pressure for My Car and Caravan?
Not necessarily. Your tow vehicle and your caravan often use different tyre sizes, brands, and load ratings, which means their ideal PSI will differ. Your car tyres are tuned for ride comfort and weight distribution of a passenger vehicle — while caravan tyres are built to handle sustained loads, heavier weight per axle, and different suspension setups. Car tyres might be in the 32–36 PSI range, while caravan tyres often need 45–65 PSI, depending on the setup. Using the same pressure for both is one of the most common beginner mistakes and can lead to poor fuel economy and dangerous handling. Always consult the separate specs for each — and check both before every trip. Also, remember that trailer tyre pressure may increase more quickly than car tyres when driving under the sun or at high speeds.
4) Is It Safe to Deflate Tyres on Gravel Roads?
Yes — to a degree. Lowering tyre pressure on gravel or corrugated roads improves traction, spreads the load more evenly, and softens the ride. Most people drop pressure by 10–15%, bringing a 55 PSI tyre down to about 45–48 PSI. This helps reduce the hammering effect on your van’s suspension and keeps your tyres cooler. However, you must also drop your speed to match — lower pressure means less stability and greater risk of sidewall damage at high speed. Once you’re back on sealed roads, reinflate immediately. Always carry a compressor and check pressure with a gauge — guessing is a recipe for trouble. If you’re travelling through areas like Outback NSW or the Gibb River Road, managing tyre pressure is a daily task.
5) How Do I Check Caravan Tyre Pressure Accurately?
First, make sure the tyres are cold — ideally before you’ve driven more than a kilometre. Remove the dust cap and press a digital or analogue pressure gauge firmly onto the valve. Listen for hissing (air escaping) — a good connection shouldn’t hiss. Read the PSI and compare it to your target figure. If it’s low, inflate slowly and recheck. If it’s high (e.g., after driving), wait until the tyre cools before releasing air. Avoid relying on service station air hoses — they’re often inaccurate or not designed for high PSI caravan tyres. Instead, buy a caravan-grade compressor with a built-in gauge and keep it in your boot or tunnel boot. Regular checks are key to safety — and can prevent expensive tyre failures on the road.
Talk Tyre Safety With the Team at 7th Street Caravans
Whether you’re towing a compact tourer or a luxury off-roader, keeping your tyres inflated to the right pressure is one of the simplest — and most important — things you can do for your safety. Don’t guess. Don’t wing it. And don’t wait until the dashboard TPMS lights up halfway to nowhere.
Start your journey with confidence — visit 7th Street Caravans or give our team a call on 02 4012 6009 for friendly, local advice.