Tread carefully: What you need to know about caravan tyres

Being totally honest, how often do you think about your caravan’s tyres, outside of the usual servicing regime? Chances are, it’s not until you’ve had a puncture or something’s come up as an issue that you take more than a passing glance when putting air in. Yet, your tyres play a crucial role in the performance and safety of your caravan, so it’s worth getting the right ones and then looking after them to prolong their lifespan. Here's our guide to everything you need to know about caravan tyres to help maximise your on-road experience.

How do I know what caravan tyres I need - and could I opt for car tyres instead?

Tyres suitable for caravans come in different sizes, load capacities and speed ratings, so understanding your caravan's tyre specifications is essential for selecting the right ones that can safely support the weight of your caravan and provide optimal performance. The type and size of tyres will be specified by the manufacturer, taking into account the type of caravan and the loading, so consult your caravan's manual or seek guidance from a tyre specialist to ensure you choose tyres that meet your vehicle's requirements.

Caravans generally use car or light van tyres - although it is usually the latter. It goes without saying that you should stick to the same type of tyre across the vehicle. Most modern tyres are the radial type, although you may still find some cross-ply ones out there. It’s important to note that you shouldn’t mix both on the same axle, as they behave quite differently under load. On a single axle caravan, each tyre has to support roughly half the weight of the caravan, which is often more than one quarter of the weight of a typical car.

What do the tyre markings mean?

The ‘C’ written after the rim diameter code stands for a standard light commercial tyre. ‘LT’ stands for light truck, and ‘P’ is for a passenger car tyre. Tyres have a date stamp, written on the sidewall, so do keep an eye on this piece of information. Some caravan insurance companies won’t cover tyre-related claims if the tyre is over five years old and you can’t prove they’ve been annually inspected by a competent person. Tyres made since 2000 have a four digit code on them - the first two digits depict the week of manufacture, the second two depict the year. So, if you see 0412, that tyre was made in week four of 2012. 

The British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association states that any tyre over seven years old should not be used. Bear in mind that that date is from its manufacture, not when you put it on your caravan.

Tread and wear - beware! 

The tread depth of your caravan tyres directly impacts traction, braking performance and handling in various road conditions. Insufficient tread depth can compromise safety, especially on wet or slippery surfaces. Monitor your tread wear regularly and replace tyres when the tread depth approaches the legal minimum depth or if signs of uneven wear patterns, such as cupping or feathering, are observed. As with car tyres, the UK minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm but it’s generally recommended you replace any tyres below 3 mm. In some colder European countries it is sometimes compulsory to have a minimum tread depth for winter tyres, so do check this before setting off abroad in the colder months.

Proper inflation and maintenance

Maintaining proper tyre inflation is crucial for tyre longevity, fuel efficiency and safety. Under-inflated tyres can lead to increased rolling resistance, uneven wear, and decreased handling, while overinflated tyres may result in reduced traction. Check your tyre pressures regularly - ideally monthly at least - and always before a long journey.

It’s interesting that the markings on the sidewall of the actual tyre that indicate the maximum load and the maximum pressure may not necessarily be the load and pressure values for your vehicle - for this, refer to the inflation pressures suggested by the caravan/tyre manufacturer. 

As with cars, check the pressure when the tyre is cold as the pressure will rise once the tyre gets warmer. Always make sure they are inflated to the correct pressure. Caravans are designed to hold significant loads, including passengers, supplies, and equipment. The load index of a tyre indicates the maximum weight it can support when properly inflated, so it’s crucial to distribute weight evenly across all tyres to prevent overloading and maintain stability while driving.

When checking your tyres, remove any trapped items such as stones, and check for cuts and cracks and any bulges on the walls and tread. If you see these, you’d be wise to get the tyres checked out asap. Do regularly inspect them - no-one wants to be caught in a tyre blowout, and without safe tyres you really can’t brake, steer and take corners safely otherwise.

Remember that often our caravans are not in constant use, and therefore they may be in storage for long periods of the year, without regular use. This can put undue strain on one particular part of the tyre, when it's just sat there, causing deterioration. 

Thinking about the weather

Caravan travel obviously involves journeys in various weather conditions and on all terrains. You might want to consider all-season tyres that can provide adequate performance across many different weather conditions, including snow, rain, and dry roads. Tyres in the UK are generally summer tyres, useful for most conditions, although you can also get winter tyres if need be. The tread properties on winter tyres remain softer at lower temperatures and maintain a better grip, so bear this in mind for the colder months.

Ensure your tyres are suitable for the environments you'll encounter during your travels to maintain safety and year-round performance. Do act to protect your caravan tyres from excessive exposure to the sun, however, because UV rays and heat can accelerate the premature ageing of tyres - there are tyre covers that you can buy to help prevent this when your caravan is kept outside.

We all need spare tyres (ideally on our vehicles, not round our waists)

Don't overlook the importance of a spare tyre! As we mentioned above, check the date on this one too, as this can often get overlooked when hidden away. You should also look to carry a tyre pressure gauge and emergency tools including a jack for any tyre-related incidents. Keep your spare tyre inflated to the maximum pressure at all times.

So there we have it - hopefully that wasn’t too tiresome (sorry). It’s pretty clear that prioritising the maintenance and care of your caravan tyres is essential for safe and enjoyable travels. By understanding the different tyre specifications, monitoring tread wear, maintaining proper inflation and taking into consideration seasonal needs, you can be confident that your caravan tyres will be up to the task all year round.