TYRE SAFETY

Drivers are not only responsible for driving safely but also maintaining their horsebox ensuring the well-being of the horses. A sudden breakdown or blowout can mean your horsebox maybe stranded in the middle of a busy road which is why such situations should be avoided. Though there are numerous ways to ensure the safety of the vehicle on the road, ensuring that the tyres you are using are appropriate and safe is essential.

Following a few tips can help prevent tyre failures.

Tyre Pressures

A study of tyres in the UK by Michelin has found that:

• An alarming three quarters of drivers were running on under-inflated tyres.*
• 3% of cars checked were running with a punctured tyre.*
• More than 50% of drivers had tyres that were classified as dangerously under-inflated (7 psi or more below the recommended pressure).*

* Michelin “Fill up with Air” data

Correct tyre pressures reduce the risk of experiencing a rapid deflation, and also ensure optimal braking and handling. Correctly inflated tyres also last longer and use less fuel.

Fit a Michelin Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). This plug and play wireless system includes a stylish windscreen-mounted solar-powered LCD screen which displays tyre pressures in psi or bar. If the device detects a tyre in distress through loss of pressure, fast leakage or an increase in temperature – often the sign of an impending tyre blowout – the driver is alerted, and the affected tyre identified on the screen.

For more information see Michelin Fit2Go TPMS

Tyre Load Index

The load index is an industry standard that indicates the maximum load each tyre is designed to carry when inflated to the recommended pressure. The load index is shown on the tyre sidewall as a two or three digit number after the tyre’s dimensions.

Your Horsebox will have a maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) and it is your responsibility to ensure that the tyres you are using are suitable for that weight.

Regular Tyre Inspection

Inspect tyres on a regular basis and look for signs of wear and tear like areas with worn tread, bubbles and cuts. The law requires car tyres to have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm in a continuous band around the central three quarters of the tyre. To help you judge how much tread you have on your car tyres, manufacturers often mould tread bars at roughly 1.6mm. Balding tyres and shallower tread are not only illegal but also dramatically reduces their control and grip and makes them hazardous.