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Monday, May 23, 2011

Certification Label otherwise known as a “Placard”

Along with others who deal with tire questions, I too often incorrectly assume that the information on all placards is complete, correct and consistent and that the owner knows where to find this sticker. This incorrect assumption comes from looking primarily at car placards from vehicle manufacturers that have regulatory compliance engineers working for them.

However, when it comes to the information on these labels for RVs, there have been significant changes in both the information that is included and the location for the placement of the sticker and it seems that not all RV manufacturers pay as much attention to the accuracy of the information on the placard as others.

Do you know where your placard is located?
Are you sure the information is both complete and correct?


Over the past few years both the location of the sticker and the information requirements have been changed.

Newer Cars and Pick-ups will have a color sticker with this information.

This sticker will be located on the driver’s door jam




When it comes to full size RVs you may find the placard in a closet










Some Class-A units will have the stickers near the driver’s left arm location

Note the lack of complete tire size on this older sticker with only the rim size identified.

Newer Class A should have a placard at the driver's location.

But may have more complete information in another location like a closet.


This newer Super-C seems to have all the information the owner needs.




Some owners will be lucky and have actual unloaded weights.




Finally here is an example of a placard applied by a manufacturer that didn’t follow the requirements. Clearly the trailer does not have two 12,000 Lb axles running dual tires and the tire cannot carry 6,000 Lbs each. There might have been a recall if the trailer manufacturer was still in business.


The bottom line is:
1. Find and know the location for the placard for all your vehicles.
2. Make a note of the minimum inflation as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer and add this information to your travel check-off notebook
3. Confirm you have the same size and Load Range tires as identified on your placard.
4. If you find a difference or have a question snap a picture of your placard and send me an email with your questions –tireman9@gmail.com- and I will try and help sort out the questions you might have.

2 comments:

  1. Hi Roger,

    I’m having a problem with explaining load inflation tables. Although not specifically designed to be used by the public at large they are often referred to in internet forum discussions as the only proven way to determine the correct tire pressure for motorized RVs.

    Every tire placard I’ve observed on motorized RVs have some built-in load capacity reserves.

    I get very angry and stern comments from people that want to go to the scales and set their tire pressures to the weight on the heaviest end of an axle. By doing that, any load capacity reserves for that end of the axle has been eliminated providing the tire maximum tire pressure hasn’t been already used up. When I tell them they should also add the percentage of load capacity reserves the vehicle manufacturer has provided them with - if available - they say I’m full of BS.

    What’s your take on that?

    Cal
    FastEagle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just looking at old posts and see I didn't answer your question. I suggest at least a + 10% inflation above the minimum shown in the table based on heavier loaded tire.

      Delete

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