Caravan drivers know that a suitable and well-maintained tyre is the guarantee of optimal road holding, reasonable fuel consumption and, most importantly, the safety of passengers and other road users.
A caravan, like any other vehicle, must be equipped with quality tyres.
Caravan tyres need to be more robust than standard tyres. These are reinforced "type-C" tyres, for example: 215/65 R16C 109R.
The choice of a caravan tyre must therefore be made with care, as your safety and driving comfort depend on it.
We recommend replacing your tyres at least every 5 years to ensure your safety.
What type of tyre for a caravan?
The choice of tyre for your caravan is crucial and must be made with discernment. A caravan tyre is not just a more robust model than your car's; it must meet load, size and performance requirements suited to recreational use.
With its large size, the caravan is designed to support higher loads than small cars. Its tyres are exposed to significant pressures and are therefore different from standard models.
Caravan tyres are easily recognisable by the "C" marking on their sidewall. This indicates that they are suitable for supporting very heavy loads over long distances. Tyres with this type of marking are used on caravans, motorhomes and utility vehicles.
It is also possible to fit motorhome tyres (CP) on a caravan. These models, suitable for motorhomes, support much higher loads. They are the best solutions if you want a very high safety margin.
When should caravan tyres be changed?
The vast majority of specialists agree that the lifespan of caravan tyres is around 5 years. Thus, they recommend changing them within this period. However, a replacement may be required as soon as a tyre is worn out. This can happen at any time. The use of the vehicle and the way it is maintained are also determining factors in the longevity of the tyres. Here are some indications to help you decide whether it is appropriate to replace your tyres.
Age:
The age of the wheels is an important indicator. Age here does not refer to the duration of use; it must be determined from the date of manufacture. This information is inscribed on the sidewall of the tyres. These are the last four digits of the DOT code.
Whether a vehicle is frequently used or not, its tyres deteriorate with age. After a certain point, the rubber loses its effectiveness, so it is important to regularly check your tyres.
Tread depth:
This is an infallible indicator that allows you to make the right decision. Apart from the duration of use, several other factors can cause the deterioration of caravan tyres:
- The loads supported;
- The sun;
- The condition of the roads;
To these different elements, we can add the duration of immobilisation. In reality, long immobilisation favours more advanced wear of the parts in contact with the ground. This is one of the reasons that may motivate their replacement.
The average tread depth of tyres currently offered by most manufacturers is 8 mm. As soon as it reaches 3 mm, it is advisable to change your wheels.
Pressure loss:
If you are used to driving caravans, then you know that their tyres usually lose between 0.1 and 0.2 Bar per month: this is normal. However, if this figure reaches 0.5 Bar or more, it is a bad sign.
Caravan tyres that lose pressure abnormally can make driving difficult. Therefore, make the necessary checks regularly and especially before each trip. If the losses are too frequent and significant, then it is indeed time to consider a change.
Which caravan tyres to buy:
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The tire tread is made of a special highly elastic compound, which can effectively reduce braking distance.<...
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The tire tread is made of a special highly elastic compound, which can effectively reduce braking distance.<...
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The most sought-after caravan tyre sizes:
How to successfully choose your caravan tyres?
The most important criteria to consider when buying a caravan tyre are:
- Dimensions;
- Load index;
- Speed index;
- Brand choice.
Dimensions vary according to manufacturers. Therefore, you must choose tyres that have the same dimensions as the original models. This applies to the size, but also to the load and speed index.
Driving with tyres that have an inappropriate load index is very dangerous. Your tyres risk bursting if the vehicle's weight exceeds what they can support.
What is the size of the tyres on caravans?
Don't know how to read these different values on a tyre? Inspect the sidewall and you will notice an inscription in this form: 205/65R16C 107/105T.
- 205 represents the width (therefore the size) in millimetres.
- 65 is the height expressed as a percentage of the width. (Here 65% of 205)
- R indicates that the tyre is of Radial type. The most common construction for caravan tyres.
- 16 designates the rim diameter in inches.
- C is the specific marking for utility vehicles, caravans and motorhomes weighing less than 3.5 tonnes
- 107/105 indicates the load index, which is the maximum weight a tyre can support, 975kg in our example.
- T is the speed index corresponding to the maximum speed at which the tyre can run, here 190km/h.
By searching with these criteria, you will find the caravan tyre models that match your vehicle.
Note that these are the classic inscriptions for wheels that are fitted one by one. On some caravans, the installations are done 2 by 2 (this is called twin mounting). In this case, the caravan tyres to be fitted have double indices. Let's take this example again: 205/65R16C 107/105T. This means that for a single mounting, the tolerated load is 925 kg (index 105). Whereas for a twin mounting, it is 975 kg (index 107).
The most important thing to remember is that the chosen speed and load index must be regulatory and correspond to the manufacturer's indications.
What is the correct pressure for caravan tyres?
If you do not have a pressure indication in your owner's manual, we recommend inflating the tyres to 3 bar and up to 3.5 bar for reinforced type-C tyres. If the pressure is indicated in the owner's manual, we invite you to follow this recommendation.
Should the rear tyres be over-inflated to tow a caravan or trailer?
You can add 0.4 bar of pressure to the rear tyres compared to the normal usage recommendation. Your tyres will not suffer deformation.
How many kilometres do caravan tyres last?
There is no single answer to this question, as the lifespan of tyres depends on multiple criteria. However, a caravan tyre can generally last between 25,000 and 40,000 kilometres. This fairly wide range reflects the impact of usage conditions on tyre lifespan.
Inadequate pressure, whether too low or too high, leads to irregular and accelerated wear of your tyres.
The weight of your caravan directly impacts tyre wear. The greater the pressure exerted on the tyres, the more they tend to wear out quickly. Make sure not to exceed the authorised load limits for your tyres to avoid premature wear.
The condition of the road and weather conditions also affect tyre durability. Poor road conditions or harsh weather (extreme heat, frost) can accelerate tyre wear.
The storage of your caravan also has direct repercussions on the lifespan of your tyres. How and where your caravan is stored when not in use significantly influences tyre longevity. Outdoor storage can expose tyres to weather conditions that may deteriorate them more quickly.
Increasing the longevity of caravan wheels: how to proceed?
Avoid driving with tyres that have abnormal pressure. You can inflate your tyres with nitrogen to reduce losses. It is very important that you adhere to the recommended values regarding the ideal pressure for caravan tyres: between 3 and 4.5 bars. An increase of 0.3 bar is recommended to compensate for rapid loss if you plan to travel far.
Distribute the weight evenly in the caravan and avoid overloading to prevent excessive pressure on the tyres.
If you plan to immobilise the vehicle for a long period, use jacks to lift it to spare the treads (you can also use other special metal supports).
Tip: Once a month, turn the 4 tyres a quarter turn to prevent them from deforming.
Using appropriate and well-maintained tyres extends their lifespan, but also that of the caravan. A poor choice of tyres can lead to premature wear of the caravan's components and tyres, potentially resulting in costly breakdowns.
