1. Motorcycle Engine Guard Chaps for Harley Davidson (FLH and FLS series)

   Sale Price $39.99 (Regular Price $99.99)
   - Constructed with durable, leather sim vinyl
   - Polished snaps
   - Adjustable click-fit straps
   - Bottle holster and storage pocket for on-bike storage

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2. Spare Tire Cover

   Sale Price $14.99 (Regular Price $27.99)
   - Available for 27-29″ tires or 33-35″ tires
   - Protects the spare tire on your RV, truck, camper, or car
   - Heavy duty, cotton-backed vinyl
   - Double-stitched seams
   - Full elastic bottom hem
   - Arctic white color

Always run a thorough safety check on your RV and tow vehicle before heading out on the road. If a vehicle emergency such as a tire blowout causes you to lose control, a heavy RV or vehicle-trailer combination will be much harder to control than a smaller, lighter vehicle.

That’s why it’s so important that you run a thorough safety and maintenance check before traveling with your RV and that you continue to check certain safety points, such as your tires and tow hitch, along the way.

One of the most common causes of roadside emergencies is tire failure. Make sure your tires (both RV and tow vehicle, if applicable) are properly inflated and in good condition. You can protect your motor home tires from premature wear by shielding them with RV tire covers during storage and long-term parking.

The size and weight of your vehicle makes a big difference in handling. Remember that your braking time increases as the weight of your load increases. Leave extra room between you and the vehicle in front of you, and drive with caution on downgrades, as your momentum going downhill also increases under heavier loads. Pay close attention to the traffic around you, especially if traffic is heavy, to give yourself more time to react to other drivers and avoid close calls and accidents.

Your RV is higher, longer, and wider than a regular vehicle. These differences present several challenges and extra safety precautions for RV drivers. One of the things to watch out for is clearance. Low bridges, tunnels, arches, and parking ramps don’t always allow free clearance for motor homes. Avoid costly damage to your motor home by knowing the minimum height your RV can clear. If in doubt, drive up to the overhang and check the clearance level or ask a passenger to check it for you before attempting to clear the obstacle.

Driving on city streets or narrow, winding back roads poses a much greater challenge than driving on the open road. Give yourself a wide berth on tight turns or curves. The longer your rig, the more padding you’ll need on a turn. Keep an eye out for roadside obstacles such as road signs, telephone poles, steep ditches, and barriers.

Last but not least, use common sense when you are driving a vehicle that is larger, longer, or heavier than you are used to driving. With a little extra attention to safety and your surroundings, you’re well on your way to becoming a proficient RV driver.

Tire failure can happen to anyone, anytime. If you’re prepared for roadside emergencies like this, however, changing your tire and getting back on the road will go that much faster.

Make a dry run before you have to change a flat tire on the road. You don’t want to change a tire for the first time on a rainy night in the pitch dark by yourself. Changing a flat tire will be less stressful if you are already familiar with the procedure and with the equipment needed to change a tire.

You’ll also get a chance to try out your equipment and make sure it works properly. If the tools and jack supplied by the auto manufacturer work poorly, invest in quality equipment that will make the job easier and give you peace of mind.

Include a flashlight, a wrench, a jack, some work gloves, and a rain jacket or poncho in your roadside emergency kit. If your spare tire is in the trunk, clear the extra clutter out of your trunk. This will make it easier to access the spare tire as needed. If your spare is mounted externally, make sure you protect it with a spare tire cover.

Check your vehicle manual to see how much mileage and speed your spare tire can handle. The maximum speed for your spare tire should also be noted on the sidewall of the spare itself. Exceeding the mileage and speed recommendations may damage your spare tire and your vehicle.

Most donut spare tires should not exceed 50 mph. Some donut spares may specify as low as 45 mph as the maximum speed limit. Replace your compact spare tire with a full-size tire as soon as possible. Compact spares are not designed to handle the stress of high mileage.

Your vehicle may handle differently when you drive with a donut spare. Handle the vehicle carefully and pay attention to any noises or changes in handling that may signal spare tire failure or faulty tire mounting.

You may not think about your spare tire until you get a flat, but when that time comes, is your spare up for the challenge? A spare tire that sits neglected over time may fail and leave you stranded on the roadside.

Although you may remember to check your car tires on a regular basis, don’t forget to include your full-size or compact spare tire in your maintenance schedule. Make spare tire care a habit by clearing the clutter out of your trunk and making it easy to reach your spare wheel for maintenance.

The two most common reasons for spare tire failure are underinflation and dry rot. Your spare wheel loses air slowly over time. Without proper care, your spare wheel may be flat by the time you need it. At the least, this means poor tire performance. At the worst, it means another tire failure, which could possibly damage other parts of your vehicle as well.

As your spare tire ages, it can also become susceptible to dry rot. The first and most obvious sign of dry rot is cracks in your sidewalls. Spare wheels mounted externally on your vehicle should be protected with a spare tire cover. Exposure to damage from the sun, ozone, and weather accelerates the aging process and shortens the life and usefulness of your spare tire. A cover for your spare tire will prolong the lifespan of your spare.

If you own a trailer or RV, include your spare trailer tire and spare RV tire in your maintenance routine to protect the value of these investments. You can also purchase a trailer spare tire cover and RV spare tire cover to limit damage caused by exposure to the elements.

A damaged full-size or donut spare tire can shred on your way home or to the repair shop, leaving you just as stranded as before. To reduce your risk of spare tire failure, take a few minutes every month or two to check your spare tire, inflating it as needed and checking for cracks in the sidewalls that may signal dry rot damage.

Excessive exposure to the sun and elements is one of the leading causes of tire failure for motor homes and RV trailers. Most RV tires must be replaced due to damage from exposure to the elements rather than due to natural tire wear from miles on the road.

Exposure to UV rays and the ozone in the air accelerates the aging process of your tires, causing premature damage and wear.

Constant exposure to direct sunlight causes the tire’s rubber and sidewalls to dry out and crack. As these cracks deepen and spread, they compromise the safety of your tires and can lead to tire failure, blowouts, and possible damage to other components of your RV.

Increase the life of your tires with RV tire covers, shade, and regular tire inspection:

•  Protect your RV tires and spare tire with tire covers. RV tire covers are a simple and inexpensive way to keep your tires out of the sun, rain, and other elements. Also, an RV spare tire cover will keep your spare in top condition in case of tire failure.

•  Park your RV in an area that offers as much shade as possible. Call the campground or RV park ahead of time to reserve a shady site. Parking in a shady spot will also protect the finish on your motor home and keep your RV cooler.

•  Always check the condition and inflation of your tires before each trip out with your RV. It is especially critical to inspect your tires after your RV has been sitting for an extended period of time. Failure to do so compromises the safety of your vehicle and the lives of your passengers. A tire failure or blowout can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and result in a dangerous or life-threatening situation.

Prolonged exposure to UV rays and harsh weather shortens the lifespan of your tires and can force you to replace low-mileage tires due to cracks and weathering. Get the most life out of your tires by protecting them with tire covers during short and long term storage.

Tire failure can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and lead to a serious accident. A tire blowout can also damage other parts of your vehicle, such as the wheel well or vehicle body, making repairs far more costly than a simple tire replacement.

A spare tire cover also protects your vehicle investment by ensuring that your spare tire is in excellent working condition when you need it. Spare tires that mount on the back of a vehicle or trailer are constantly exposed to the sun’s harsh rays and to damaging weather.

In the unfortunate event that you need to use your spare tire, a spare tire that is cracked and dried out from exposure to the elements will complicate your situation and could lead to a second blowout.

Regular inspection of tires for cracks in the sidewalls or other tire damage is an important maintenance check. Protecting your RV, camper, vehicle, or trailer investment with tire covers can extend the life of your tires and ensure that your tires are in top condition when you are ready to get your vehicle or trailer back on the road.

DuraShield Tire Covers