Ensuring your motorhome or campervan has healthy tyres is crucial for smooth travelling. You should regularly inspect your tyres for any signs of damage and ensure they are within the recommended tyre age limit.
How often should I replace my tyres?
You will generally find that the front wheels of your motorhome will deteriorate faster than the back wheels, so the front wheels will need to be replaced more often.
According to the AA, you should get a minimum of 20,000 miles out of the front tyres and 40,000 out of the rear tyres – however, this information is based on the average car, so it may vary for a motorhome or campervan depending on its weight.
Although there is no legal expiration on tyres, 5-6 years is the recommended maximum safe life of a road tyre. Many people think this 5-6-year recommendation is from the date of purchase, but it is in fact from the original date of production. Remember, the tyre could have been in stock for some time and rubber generally deteriorates with age. To check the manufacturer date, look for the 4-digit code on the tyre denoting its week and year of production – the first 2 numbers will be from 01-52 representing the production week, and the second 2 numbers will be the year. For example, a tyre with the code 0124 will mean the tyre was manufactured in the first week of 2024.
As many motorhomes and campervans are used purely as leisure vehicles and not as everyday vehicles you may find that you need to replace the tyres less often. The frequency with which you replace your tyres is all dependent on your use and storage of the vehicle and the condition of your tyres.
close up of an old and cracked car tire passing old worn out time
Image source: Alvise – Adobe Stock
Spotting damage
You should regularly inspect your tyres (especially the sidewalls) for any damage, this can be anything from bumps, bulges and cuts to deterioration or cracking. When checking over your tyres if you find anything stuck in the treads remove it with a blunt tool; it’s important to use a blunt object, as a sharper tool could cause damage to your tyres.
What factors affect tyres?
- Age
- UV Exposure
- Improper Inflation (both under and over-inflation)
- Poor maintenance
- Improper tyres for your vehicle
- Environmental Conditions
- Low quality tyres
When taking your motorhome or campervan out of storage after a long period of time such as during the winter months, you may find that your tyre has degraded due to standing, so make sure to check for flat spots, bumps, or bulges.
Find out how to prolong the life of your tyre when your vehicle is not in use here.
If you find any damage to your tyre avoid driving unless you are taking your vehicle to a tyre specialist for review.
Get cover for your motorhome or campervan
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Featured image source: Alberto Gonzalez – Adobe Stock
