Tires, Brakes, Suspension & TPMS: Don't Let What's Under Your RV Take You Down
Tires, Brakes, Suspension and TPMS is Sponsored by RV Roofing Solutions
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What's Under Your RV Is Trying to Tell You Something
I'll just say it: most of us don't think about what's under our rigs until something goes wrong. And when something goes wrong at 65 mph on a Texas highway or at the top of a 10,000-foot mountain pass with 120 gallons of fresh water pushing you from behind — you’ll wish you had.
Jennifer and I are joined this week by a very special guest co-host, Rick Steelman, a leading expert in RV Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems. And y'all — this episode is packed. We've got real stories from real roads, expert interviews from the field, and a whole lot of information that could genuinely save your rig, your family, and maybe your life.
Rick didn't come alone either. We also cut away to hear from Tommy Henderson of Henderson's Line-Up and Ashley from Performance Trailer Braking, two experts who know exactly what's happening beneath your coach.
What This Episode Is About
We dig into the three things that most RVers either ignore or under-maintain: tires, brakes, suspension, and the tool that not enough RVers use: the TPMS. This is not a scare tactic episode. It's an information episode, the kind that helps you get ahead of problems before they get ahead of you.
We cover blowout causes, tire date codes, what dry rot actually is, how brakes behave differently when you're towing, suspension's role in stability and tire wear, when to repack wheel bearings, and why a TPMS is not just a nice-to-have. It is a need-to-have.
For more on RV maintenance and safety, check out learntorv.com/rv-safety and learntorv.com/rv-maintenance.
This Episode Is Perfect For You If You're:
• A new RVer who has never thought about tire age, load ratings, or TPMS
• A full-timer or seasoned traveler who knows you've been putting off that brake inspection
• Someone who recently bought a used RV and has no idea how old the tires are
• A tow vehicle owner who thinks the factory TPMS is enough
• Anyone who travels mountain passes, desert heat, or high-humidity routes and wants to know what that does to your tires
• A family with kids or pets on board who wants to be as prepared as possible before the next travel day
What You'll Learn
The full stories, the laughs, the jaw-dropping moments. Here's a taste of what we cover.
Why Temperature — Not Pressure — Is the #1 Cause of Tire Blowouts
You can check your tire pressure before you leave and still blow a tire. Rick explains why: temperature is the real enemy. Hot roads, altitude changes, high humidity, and UV exposure all degrade tires in ways that a visual inspection can miss. The only way to catch it in real time is with a TPMS that monitors temperature, not just pressure.
How to Read Your Tire's Date Code
Your tires have an expiration date and most people don't know where to find it. The last four digits of the DOT code tell you the week and year of manufacture. In RV applications, tires typically age out before they wear out, and five to seven years is the general recommendation. When I bought my rig, every single tire was original to the 2018 manufacturer date. All of them had to go.
TPMS: Why They're Not All Created Equal
Not all TPMS systems are the same. Rick walks us through what sets the gold standard apart, including the brand all three of us use:
Feature | What to Know |
Accuracy | TST is accurate within 1 degree of temperature — most other brands are off by 10+ degrees |
Signal range | Tested up to 2 miles without a repeater |
Who uses it | UPS, FedEx, and major commercial fleets depend on TST — it's built for commercial-grade reliability |
History | Road-tested since 2009; engineering company, not just a sales organization |
Customer service | US-based support team; free battery replacements; Rick calls it the best in the category |
Temperature monitoring | Unlike built-in factory TPMS on trucks, TST monitors both pressure AND temperature — blowouts come from heat |
Learn more at tsttpms.com.
Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore Underneath Your RV
System | Warning Signs to Act On Immediately |
Tires | Cracking sidewalls, dry rot, bulges, uneven tread wear, tires 5–7+ years old, or mismatched brands/ratings on same axle |
Brakes | Burning smell on descents, brake dust on inside of tires, soft or spongy pedal, squealing, grinding, or trailer pushing your tow vehicle |
Suspension | Rig sitting lower than usual, abnormal tire wear, instability in crosswinds or when passed by trucks, loud banging, or sudden change in handling |
Wheel bearings | Excessive heat at the wheel hub, grease leaking from hub, unexplained vibration |
Ready to Dive Deeper?
The full episode is where this really comes to life — Jennifer's story of driving out of Tioga Pass with brake dust falling off the van in Frank's hands. My birthday in Florida when our brakes completely failed and Jennifer and Frank drove two hours through no-see-um country to rescue us. Rick's blowout at 65 mph in Texas that nobody noticed for 20 miles. And the TPMS alert that stopped Jennifer and Frank on the side of the road in Vernal, Utah when their tires hit dangerous temperatures. These are the stories that change how you travel.
For more RV safety and maintenance resources, visit learntorv.com/rv-safety and learntorv.com/rv-maintenance. And check out the experts we featured:
• TST Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (tsttpms.com)
• Henderson's Line-Up / SuperSteer Parts (supersteerparts.com)
• Performance Trailer Braking (performancetrailerbraking.com) 405-626-7009
Thinking about joining the Campfire Crew on Patreon? Our members get early access, bonus episodes, free merch, and a community of RVers living this life every day. Three tiers, each with different perks. Your first week is free. You can also buy us a coffee to show some love.
Where to Listen and How to Connect
Catch "Tires, Brakes, Suspension & TPMS: Don't Let What's Under Your RV Take You Down" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, YouTube, and everywhere else podcasts are streamed. Find us at learntorvthepodcast.com.
Join the Campfire Crew on Patreon to support the podcast and unlock early access, exclusive bonus episodes, and member merchandise. Three tiers, each with their own perks.
Connect with the community in the free Learn To RV: The Community on Facebook. Follow @LearnToRV on Instagram.
Explore more RV resources at learntorv.com. Have a tire, brake, or suspension story? Send it to connect@learntorv.com. If yours is read on air, we'll send you a Campfire Confessions sticker!
The Road Is Long. Make Sure Your Rig Is Ready for It.
Here's what I want you to walk away with: you don't have to know everything about tires and brakes and suspension to be a safe RVer. You just have to stop saying I'll look at that later. Check your tire date codes. Get a TPMS. Know when your brakes were last inspected. Repack those wheel bearings.
The rig can be fixed. The roof can be replaced — RV Roofing Solutions has that covered. The people you're traveling with? They're worth protecting before something goes wrong.
Learn To RV: The Podcast exists for every kind of RVer — full-timer, part-timer, weekend warrior, or still-deciding — who wants honest, real-talk knowledge from people actually living this life. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, share
Learn To RV: The Podcast exists for every kind of RVer — full-timer, part-timer, weekend warrior, or still-deciding — who wants honest, real-talk knowledge from people actually living this life. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, share learntorvthepodcast.com with a fellow traveler, and leave a review. The road is better when you know what's out there.
Sponsored by RV Roofing Solutions
Your RV is your home, your family's basecamp, and the starting point for every adventure. Protecting it starts at the top. RV Roofing Solutions provides comprehensive RV roof inspections and repairs, traveling nationwide to meet you wherever your rig is parked.
Visit rvroofingsolutions.com to schedule your free consultation. When your roof is protected, you're free to focus on what matters: the journey, the people, and the adventures ahead.
This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you.
By day, Tasha Martin wears the title of copywriter extraordinaire, crafting compelling stories and sharp, strategic messaging. But when night falls, she steps into her second superpower—podcast queen. With a natural gift for conversation and a voice that draws listeners in, Tasha brings energy, curiosity, and heart to every episode she helps create.
When she’s not writing or podcasting, you’ll find Tasha out exploring. She loves traveling with her family and seeking out unique outings, hidden gems, and memorable experiences on the road. Whether it’s a quirky roadside stop, a scenic trail, or a new town to wander through, Tasha brings the same sense of adventure to her travels that she brings to her creative work.
A storyteller, a traveler, and a connector—Tasha is the kind of voice every RV community needs.
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