tire care ensures longer
the toughest all-terrain tires can so, it's time to purchase new tires.
down if they aren't properly •Finallv, be sure vour tires are properly
It only takes a few minutes to balanced and aligned: Not only will your
tires so you don't run into
either on- or off-road. General
the following
for good tire maintenance:
Proper air pressure
rot only for better tread wear,
prevent tire failure. Check
least once a month and
you set off on a trip.
hand-held air pressure
sure the tires are cool (not
at least three hours) before
;pressure. Hot tires expand, and
them also expands, giving
gauge reading.
proper inflation level for
r you intend to do: You should
the manufacturer's guide-
inflation, but it is possi-
to a slightly higher pressure
're loaded down with equip-
pulling a trailer.
however, that you follow
minimum and maximum
for loads and inflation
, for safety's sake.
regular intervals:
tread wear and longer
Many tire professionals re-
"forward X" method when
This means the rear tires
to the opposite side of the
vehicle and vice versa (i.e.:
right front, right rear to left
right front to left rear, left
rear):
to keep the same con-
t tire on the same axle and to
patterned tires on
side of the vehicle.
the tread depth: Can you
lhe tread pattern or are there
or worn spots? Is the tire's
wear indicator visible? If
Wild critters there are to see
America's great outdoors,
that no one wants to run
thief. But he's
there's a chance you'll
him someday if you're a
iean ruin a camping trip faster
:Someone steal your ice chest
:hat you were planning to eat
two days. Cash and other
more temptation than some
are able to stand.
a few tips and taking ad-
9-7
better mileage
tires perfornl better and hmger, but
proper alignment keeps you on a straight
course.
USE A GOOD HAND-HELD AIR PRESSI.qIE GAUGE to check tire inflation before
taking off on a trip.
vantage of some new technology can re-
duce your chances of becoming a victim.
Practice the following pointers and
you'll stand a better chance of hanging
on to what's yours:
• Boats: Remove fishing, skiing and
other attractive equipment when leaving
the boat unattended overnight or for ex-
tended periods during the day.
• Cars: Don't leave valuables such as
purses, wallets and cameras lying on the
seat or dashboard in open view when you
leave your car for a hike or other time-
consuming activity, even if the car is
locked. Thieves now have very efficient
tools for opening locked vehicle doors.
Place the valuables in the glove box or
trunk.
• When you leave your campsite unat-
tended for a length of time, let the ranger
or a trustworthy neighbor know so they
can keep an eye on your property.
Campground security,, ultimately, is
the responsibility of the camper, not the
ranger, So whether you camp in a tent, a
pop-up trailer or a first-class RV, follow-
ing the above security tips and taking ad-
vantage of new technology in security
devices will help ensure that all the mem-
ories you bring home from the woods are
happy ones.
rkey Hunters
Got It!...
Diaphram Turkey Calls
Easy Squeeze-O-Matic Turkey Calls
e Clothing
Service!
;e Sporting Goods
Hours:
Thursday,9-5:30 1-77 Exit 42 Hwy. 16 South
Saturday 9-5:30 Crab Orchard, WV
255-1217
e
You've loaded the car, hitched the boat
trailer to the back and gathered the kids.
While you may be all set to leave lot a
weekend on the water, neglecting to
check up on your trailer tires could leave
you high and dry. Here are some tips on
trailer tire care from Richard Sutter.
General Tire's project engineer for off-
the-road and bias truck tires:
• Always follow recommended in]kttion
pressures: Because trailer tires often are
used intermittently, people tend not to
check them regularly, Sutter says. "We
recommend checking the tire pressure of
your trailer tires each time you use the
trailer," he advises. "While you have the
air pressure gauge in hand, also check
tire pressures on the tow vehicle."
An overinflated tire can wear out ra-,
pidly in the center, while an underinfla-
ted tire tends to wear in the shoulder
area. Under-inflation can even lead to a
tire failure, so be certain to check the
recommended pressures provided by the
vehicle supplier. This information also
can be found imprinted on the tire's side-
wall.
• Next, check treaddepth: "When a tire
wear bar shows up as a solid bar within
two grooves, it's time to replace the
tire," Sutter says.
• Visually inspect your tires: Especially
if you're an off-road type driver, watch
for sidewall cuts or snags, Sutter warns.
If you see fabric through any cut or snag,
the tire should be inspected, repaired or
replaced by a qualified person.
• Check tires for cracks: Although
trailer tires generally are designed for
greater cracking resistance (because the
tires have a long life), cracks should re-
ceive regular inspections. Have cracks
checked immediately by a tire profes-
sional.
"Tires often experience ozone attack
on the rubber near salt water or near
electrical lines where higher-than-nor-
mal ozone levels occur naturally," Sutter
says. "These factors often lead to crack-
Loading a small boat properly is im- When your guests are aboard, make
portant for two reasons: the performance sure their weight is distributed evenly
of the boat and the safety of passengers, fore and aft and side to side to keep the
Here are a few loading tips from the boat in trim. Do not exceed the total
Mariner Outboards boating authorities: weight and number of people listed on
• To prevent capsizing a small boat, the boat's capacity place. A heavier load
hand equipment to someone in the boat;_ will reduce the boat's freeboard (distance
don't carry equipment aboard. Wh4n from the water to the boat's rail) and re-
loading, stow all supplies securely, and duce stability. The lower the boat rides in
keep decks clear. Fasten gear to prevent the water, the easier it is for waves or
shifting. Show your guests where to sit. wakes to swamp it.
Help them put on and adjust their PFDs • Guests should remain seated at all
properly. Hold the boat as steady as pos- times in a small boat. If it is necessary to
sible while they're boarding, change positions in the boat, reduce
• When boarding a small boat from a speed or come to a complete stop. When
dock or low pier, step into the center of changing positions, keep low in the boat
the boat. Stay low and hold on to both and hold on to both sides for balance.
sides to keep your balance.
Explore The Greenbrier River
and River Trail With
Mountain Bike Rental
0nly $10/per day
Canoe Rental
Only $20/per day
(shuttle service additional)
OPEN 7-DAYS A WEEK
"Complete-line Sporting Goods"
106 8th Street 799-4050
Marlinton
The Mountain Messenger, Thursday, April 26, 1990 7B
ing that should be continually moni- * Drive with care when towing: Re-
toted." member, when you're towing a trailer,
• Check traih, r tire rims and lug nuts. your vehicle handles differently. It's ira-
Look for bends or rust, Sutter advises, portant to take extra care when changing
Also, check to ensure lug nuts are secure, speeds or directions, Sutter emphasizes.
• Make sure you have the proper equip- "Careful, gentle driving is better for your
ment in the event of tire failure: Should a tires (and vehicle occupants) in the long
tire failure occur, tire changing equip- run."
ment for your car or truck isn't always * Keep the ,~ame type ~l tire on each
interchangeable with your trailer. And, axle: "Without a doubt, radial tires are
always carry a spare, best for a trailer application," Sutter
• I~m't overload your trailer: Check says. "'Radials hold the road better, but
the weight capacity of your tires, Sutter whether you run radial or bias tires, be
advises. It's printed directly on the side- sure to keep the same tire construction
wall. on the same axle.'"
• Consider air slu~'k absorbers: Surfer On the whole, the best protection your
believes that if you pull a trailer often, tires have is a visual inspection betbre
it's wise to consider purchasing air you begin your journey. Folk)w these
shocks for the rear of your towing vehi- guidelines to get the best perlbrmance
cle. and life tYom your trailer tires.
BEFORE HOOKING THE TRAILER TO THE TOW ~T~HICLE, be sure to inspect
trailer tires for proper inflation, tread depth and surface cracks. Always check to
enBure lug nutB are secure.
Escape to the mountains...
Experience nature...
... Expect LOW
The Old
COST
Biking
(304) 799-6377
MARLINTON
- Reduced Rates -
and Canoe Rentals Available
I IIIII I
No Payments
No Interest
(With Approved Credit)
Until October 1, 1990
Buy any new piece of Gravely lawn and garden
equipment and you won't have any payments
or interest charges until October I, 1990"
See your Gravely Dealer for details.
5-Year Limited War rarity,
Oeta,s o,,~,st. Limited Time Offer
AVAILABL~ATPARTIClPATINO UNITEDSI"ATE$ DEALEJ~OI~LY, NOPAYME~TANDNO FINANCE
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TOTAL NUMBER OF PAYMENTS WILL BE 30, MONTHLY PAyMENT~ w. t nE $41,64 PER THOUSAND
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• Serving Southern W. Va: For Over 30 Years•
e
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RT. 16 NORTH BRADLEY. WV
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