Wheels racks. I often talk about the importance of checking the inflation pressure in tires, but is your tire pressure gauge giving you accurate information?
An RVer said, “I understand that tire pressure in an RV is crucial and can cause serious problems if not inflated correctly. Well, the problem is this, how do you know if the tire gauge is accurate? I have seen two tire gauges show as much as 16 psi difference on the same tire. Is there a recommendation as to which tire gauges are the most accurate?”
Certain tools required regular calibration to ensure accuracy. I use a quality tire pressure gauge, but after reading this question realized that after several years of using this gauge I have never had it checked for accuracy.
Many of the really inexpensive gauges ($5) you can purchase can’t be calibrated, and if the reading is inaccurate the gauge is worthless. If you have any doubt about the accuracy of your tire pressure gauge there are a couple things you can do to check it.
1) You can check the air pressure in a tire with the gauge in question and then check the same tire with another gauge. If there is a significant difference in the readings (4 or more psi) between the two gauges one or both gauges may be inaccurate. If both gauges read within 1 to 2 psi of each other the gauges are more than likely accurate.
2) If you want a more precise method for checking the accuracy take the gauge to a local tire dealer or fleet truck maintenance facility and ask them to check it using a master gauge. A master gauge is a gauge that is certified to be accurate. But I caution you there are lots of tire dealers who don’t have their own tire pressure gauges calibrated.
Note: Don’t depend on pressure gauges at gas stations to be accurate. There are several different types of pressure gauges available on the market. One important thing to keep in mind is the pressure the gauge is rated for. Most automobile tires are inflated to around 32 psi, so a 0 to 60 psi gauge is sufficient. On the other hand some motorhome tires are inflated to 100 or more psi. It is important, for accuracy and to prevent damage to the gauge, that you get the right gauge for the job. Possibly the most common type of pressure gauge is the plunge or pencil type. The accuracy of these type gauges are also affected by temperature, humidity and altitude.
Note: Always check the tire pressure when the tires are cold, before traveling. Analog tire pressure gauges were the standard for many years, but advancements in digital technology have improved on that standard. Analog dial gauges are about as accurate as the quality pencil type gauges. In numerous tests comparing different type gauges digital gauges were the most accurate tested.
Regardless of the type of gauge you choose there are high quality and low quality gauges available. Buying a cheap digital gauge would be the same as buying a cheap pencil type gauge. Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to tire pressure gauges.
1) Spend a few more dollars and get a quality pressure gauge.
2) If the gauge will be used for checking dual wheels on a motorhome the chuck end of the gauge should have a dual foot design to make the job much easier.
3) Always select a gauge rated higher than the inflation pressure of the tires you are checking. Applying more pressure than the gauge is rated for can damage the gauge and affect the accuracy. If you over-pressure a gauge have it tested for accuracy.
4) Try not to drop or jar the gauge. 5) Periodically have the gauge tested for accuracy. At a minimum compare it to another quality gauge to see if both read the same, or close to the same pressure.
6) Most importantly, once you purchase a quality pressure gauge use it on a regular basis to check your RV and automobile tires.
Remember, properly inflated tires are safer, extend the life of the tires, improve fuel efficiency and lessen the chance of unexpected and premature tire failure.
That means you will probably need to get a bike rack for your vehicle to open up your bicycling opportunities.
There are many types of bike racks and they all work well but it depends on what type of vehicle you have. There are racks that attach to the trunk or rear hatch of a car. There are racks that attach to the roof of your vehicle (these racks offer more versatility for other items such as skis or cargo but can be rather expensive). Also there are bike racks that attach to receiver hitches. The type that I have been using for the last couple of seasons is the type that attach to the spare tire of my vehicle. These types of Bike Racks only work if you have a spare tire on the back of your vehicle. Usually these vehicles are SUV’s. And my vehicle is a Jeep Wrangler so this was the type of bike rack that I decided to purchase. Specifically I purchased the Thule Spare Me bike rack. Then a lockable bolt tightens the rack against the tire and keeps it from falling off the end. I have been satisfied the this bike rack since I purchased it a few years back. I already had a receiver hitch on my Jeep and the spare me bike rack adds extra weight to the spare tire that was not designed to support extra weight. Also if I sell my vehicle and buy something without a spare tire on the back of it the bike rack will no longer be of use to me. If I had bought a receiver hitch bike rack I could move it around from vehicle to vehicle (assuming they have a receiver hitch). The other reason I wish I have bought a receiver hitch bike rack is the number of bikes you can get on the rack. The spare tire bike racks are limited to two bikes.
You can get versions of receiver hitch bike racks that can hold 3, 4 or even 5 bikes. It’s not that big of a deal when you are bicycling by yourself but when you start hanging out with other bicyclists it is nice to be able to get more bikes on your bike rack for getting away from your usual bike rides. I would also suggest getting a receiver bike rack that fits both Class 2 and Class 3 hitches. Some other issues to keep in mind when using bike racks. First when you have 2 or more bikes on you bike rack they will probably rub together and scratch you bikes. Make your bike fit on your bike rack.
Find more information about tires rack here.
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