RV Tires: Safety on the Road

When an RV tire blows out, it sounds like a bomb exploding. It can also cause massive amounts of damage to the structure of your vehicle, and could even result in a major collision resulting in injury or death. More than one mobile RV mechanic has said that the three most important parts of an RV are the batteries, roof, and tires. Problems with any of these can cause differing degrees of damage.

With an RV lifestyle—whether full-time or part-time—the tires are more important than they are for other people. Although they are sturdier than those on smaller vehicles, they receive much more stress, and a compromise to any of them can cause a complete spin out that could have devastating results. So, even though they aren't glamorous, it's important to consider the proper inflation, regular maintenance, and diligent purchase of RV tires.

Related Read: Tires: What to do with a blowout, and HOW much damage it can cause!

What Is the Proper Tire Pressure?

Keeping the correct tire pressure is one of the easiest and most important steps in tire maintenance. Generally, the right pressure for your tires can be found on the side of the tire, as well as in your RV owner's manual. Once you know the proper pressure, you should check and correct the level of inflation before every trip and at every stop.

How Do You Prevent Uneven Wear?

There are several important ways to ensure your tires are wearing evenly to improve their longevity and minimize your risk of a blowout on the road. Begin by regularly inspecting them for wear or punctures. Consider using a tire club like the ones truck drivers use to check how intact the structure of the tire's rubber is.
Pay close attention to interior tires, as well as the inside wall of each, as these are much less difficult to detect during a cursory inspection. If they blow out; however, they are capable of doing much more damage to an RV.

Also check for tire "cupping," also referred to as "scalloping." This phenomenon looks like regular dips or worn spots on the exterior of the tread. Aside from visibly being noticeable, it can also cause vibration or a rumbling sound as you drive down the road. This is usually caused by having cheap tires, misalignment, or improper inflation.

Protect Your Tires

Regularly clean them with a product like Simple Green, and seasonally apply a tire protectant such as Aero Cosmetics Rubber Care or Armoral Tire Foam. These products are easy to apply with a clean rag or sponge. They not only clean and protect tires from UV rays and ozone, they preserve them from cracking, and also make them look brand new.

Another way to avoid uneven wear on your tires is to properly park and store your RV. When your trailer is going to sit in one space for a while, you should occasionally rotate the wheels by rolling forward a quarter turn. This avoids pressure on one spot over long periods of time. Also, make sure to use your tire covers when parked in order to reduce the damage caused the elements and UV rays from the sun, which weakens the rubber.

How Often Should You Replace Your Tires?

RV tires are expensive, and it can sometimes take quite a while to get them changed, especially if they have to be ordered. Let's be honest, RV tires are big, as well as costly, so many shops won't have your specific preference or size on hand. However, you, your passengers, your motorhome or trailer, and the lives of other drivers on the road are worth the time and money.
To avoid—or at least minimize the likelihood of—a blowout, you should practice the "buy early and buy often" principle. In fact, most experts recommend buying new tires as often as every seven years, especially if your RV is used full-time or you travel frequently. Of course, you should also purchase replacements every time you notice any deterioration, as well.

How Do You Choose the Right Tires for Your RV?

When you are choosing new tires, you want those that provide not only safety, but also a smooth and comfortable ride. To determine what your best options are, you should begin by reading through the owner's manual that came with your RV. (A replacement copy can be ordered from the manufacturer or found online if you've misplaced yours.) Often, the manual can provide you with all the information in regards to the tire type, load rating, sidewall strength, size, and weight ratings your particular motorhome needs. Of course, the tires already on the RV can also give you some clues.

There are several other things that dictate what type of tires you purchase. The terrain and temperatures you primarily live in and/or travel in help determine the best options. For example, icy climates have different needs than hot or rocky, mountainous areas.

Related Read: How Bad is the Drive to Alaska?

Then inspect the sidewall of the tires you're considering to look for those pieces of information. You can find the size, weight load capacity, width, whether it is ST (special trailer) or LT (light truck), what conditions it is built for, recommended tire pressure, DOT number, date, and manufacturer among other things. Compare the details on the tire with what your trailer requires. Ask a sales associate to help you decipher the various numbers if needed.
Then consider how much money you have to spend. Better quality tires are usually more expensive. Research different brands to find one that you trust that fits your budget.

In Conclusion

Tires are basically the foundation of your motorhome or travel trailer. As such, they are extremely important to keep maintained, repaired if possible, and replaced regularly or when necessary. Beware; however, buying used tires, as they often have weakened areas that may not immediately be visible upon inspection.

In addition to safety, the right, properly inflated tires can make your drive more comfortable, as well as improve your fuel efficiency. As you can see—although they're expensive—with so many benefits to keeping decent tires on your RV, you really can't afford not to.