What Are the Best RV Tires?

MAINTAINING RV TIRES IS a crucial part of camper maintenance. Unfortunately, many RVers deal with tire blowouts more frequently than they’d like, meaning the odds of having to find the best RV tire replacement are greater than you might expect. When it happens to you, you’ll want to know the best RV tires for different camper types, making it easier to get back on the road with greater peace of mind.

Equipping your RV with the right tires depends on several factors. Each RV manufacturer recommends specific metrics and measurements to help you choose properly rated tires for their drivable and towable RVs.  Since tires are the foundation of your RV, let’s cover everything you need to know to find the best RV tires, whether you’re simply upgrading or replacing a tire on the road.

Key Takeaways

• Choosing the right RV tire depends on several factors, including construction (radial vs bias-ply), manufacturer specifications, and intended usage. Leading brands like Michelin, Goodyear, Carlisle, and PowerKing offer options for motorhomes and towable campers.
• RV and trailer tires typically cost between $100 and $300 each, depending on the vehicle type and size. They last about 3 to 6 years or 10,000 to 15,000 miles and require proper inflation, storage, and UV protection to maximize their lifespan.
• Knowing how to safely change a tire, maintain correct PSI, balance wheels, and carry a spare helps prevent blowouts and costly roadside delays.

Radial Tires versus Bias Ply

Many RV owners may not even be aware of their options regarding tire construction. Radial tires are more common, but bias-ply tires are a reasonable alternative for specific uses. Here are some quick definitions: 

• Radial tires are built with steel belts inside the tire, running at a 90° angle to the tread centerline. 
• Bias-ply tires are constructed with nylon belts running at a 30° to 45° angle to the centerline of the tread. 

The consensus is that radial tires provide a smoother ride, less trailer bounce and sway, longer tread life, wider footprint, tougher overall construction, and the ability to run cooler. 

Bias-ply tires are generally less expensive and offer stronger sidewall construction. They also have the advantage when it comes to carrying heavy loads, as they provide a uniform number of plies to support weight in both the tire’s tread and sidewall. 

The best tire type for your trailer is indicated on your trailer’s information label (D = bias ply, R = radial). Generally, radial tires are recommended for trailers used regularly for longer trips. Bias-ply tires are recommended for double axle trailers used for shorter, less frequent trips.

Picks for the Best RV Tires

Not all RV and trailer tires are created equal. Whether you need to replace blown tires or simply want to upgrade the tires on your RV, these are some of the leading brands in the industry: 

• Michelin: Recommended for motorized RV tires.
  • Preferred models: XRV and XZE
  • Vendor: American Tire Distributors & National Tire Wholesale

• Goodyear: Good options for motorized and towable RVs.
  • Preferred RV Model: GY G670 RV series
  • Preferred Trailer Models: Endurance and LT series – G614 Premium Trailer tire
  • Vendor: Goodyear 

• Carlisle: Good for radial trailer tires.
  • Vendor: American Tire Distributors

• PowerKing: Popular on new units and for replacements for blown tires.
  • Preferred Model: Trailer King tires
  • Vendor: National Tire Wholesale

Purchasing your RV or trailer tires from a reputable brand will give you extra peace of mind on your next RV adventure.

How Much Are RV Tires?

Tire prices fluctuate depending on size, brand, and quality. But the average RV tire costs somewhere between $250 and $300 per tire. 

Tires for Class A RVs tend to be more expensive than tires for Class C RVs because they are larger and heavier. Owners of Class B RVs will usually pay less per tire because they are typically smaller and lighter, but your cost may be higher if you decide to invest in higher-quality tires made for off-roading. 

How Much Are Trailer Tires?

Most travel trailer tires are smaller in diameter than those for motorhomes. Their average cost per tire is likely to fall between $100 and $200. But, of course, that cost can fluctuate depending on the exact brand, size, and construction you’re looking for.

An ST or LT rating usually identifies trailer tires. ST stands for Special Tire, and LT stands for Light Truck. These ratings will be at the start of the tire’s label, such as ST205/75D14. Here’s a quick breakdown of the rest of that label: 

• 205 denotes the tire width measured in millimeters. 
• 75 states the tire’s height-to-width ratio (i.e. height = 75% of width in this case). 
• D stands for ‘diagonal’, but also denotes a bias ply tire (R would denote a radial tire). 
• 14 tells you the tire’s diameter in inches.

How Long Do RV Tires and Travel Trailer Tires Last?

Because most motorized and towable RVs are driven less than passenger vehicles, their tires tend to last between three and six years on average. The more you drive, the more frequently you’ll need to replace your tires. 

The tread depth is the metric to monitor over your tires’ lifespan. When that tread falls below a depth of 4/32”, it’s time to replace your RV tires. However, even if your tires have plenty of tread left, it is not recommended to keep them for more than 8 to 10 years. 

Most RV and travel trailer tires should be replaced every 10,000 to 15,000 miles. But each manufacturer recommends a service life for their tires, so it’s best to seek their advice on tire replacement intervals. 

RV tire covers can protect your tires from UV exposure, dry rot, and other wear and tear that can shorten the lifespan of your tires. Even if you aren’t driving your RV a lot, leaving your tires exposed to the elements will decrease their serviceable life.

How To Change an RV Tire

Blowouts happen—it’s a reality of RV travel. While roadside assistance is available in most areas, it can take time and money if it’s not part of your RV insurance plan. So if you find yourself needing to swap a blown RV tire for a spare on your own, here’s how to do it.

Recommended Tools

• Spare tire
  • Your RV may or may not have one. They are less common on even the best Class A RVs due to the vehicle’s weight and the dangers associated with changing a tire on the side of the road. 
  • If you don’t, you’ll likely need Roadside Assistance to get back on the road.
• Bottle jack rated for the weight of your trailer
  • DO NOT USE your RV’s built-in hydraulic or stabilizing jacks to lift your RV. 
• Lug wrench and/or torque wrench
• Impact driver with the correct size socket for wheel lugs
• Wheel chocks
• Tire gauge
• Air compressor or tire inflator with appropriate fittings (only if the spare needs to be filled, which can also be done at tire fills at rest stops or gas stations)

RV Tire Changing Guide

With those tools in hand and your RV parked in a safe location, follow these steps: 

1. Retrieve your spare tire. RV manufacturers mount spare tires in different locations, so consult your owner’s manual if you’re having trouble locating yours. 
2. Place wheel chocks in front and back of tires you aren’t changing to keep your RV from moving. 
3. Use your lug wrench to loosen all lug nuts holding the tire in place.
4. Place the bottle jack under your RV’s frame.
5. Extend the bottle jack until the tire is completely off the ground, and high enough to install the inflated spare tire. 
6. Use your impact driver and socket to remove wheel lugs. 
7. Remove the blown tire and set it aside. 
8. Center the spare tire on the lug threads.
9. Replace wheel lugs by hand (at least get them started by hand to avoid cross-threading).
10. Initially tighten lug nuts with the impact driver.
11. Retract the bottle jack to lower the tire onto the ground. 
12. Tighten lug nuts entirely with your torque wrench. All manufacturers recommend lug nuts be tightened to a specific torque setting. Consult your owner’s manual and use a torque wrench to tighten lug nuts to spec. 
13. Use your tire gauge to check the pressure in your spare tire. 
14. If necessary, inflate your tire to the recommended PSI.
15. Remove wheel chocks. 
16. Store the blown tire safely until you acquire a new spare. 
17. Store all your tire-changing tools. 

Technician Tip: Driving your RV without a spare in tow isn’t recommended. If you’ve had to install a spare, you should replace the original tire as soon as possible before continuing on your RV road trip.

Additional Considerations for Towable Campers

This process is essentially the same for towables, but here are a few additional safety tips: 

Ensure your trailer’s stability. Even if your trailer is hitched to your tow vehicle, you should place wheel chocks in front and back of the tire(s) you aren’t changing to prevent the trailer from shifting and potentially falling off your bottle jack. You may consider using axle stands or extending RV stabilizing jacks once your bottle jack is extended. This will provide a backup to keep your trailer elevated if the bottle jack fails or slips.

Inspect the wheel hub after removing the old tire. Visually inspect the hub for signs of cracking, buckling, or other damage. If you notice any major signs of damage, contact roadside assistance before moving your RV. 

Find a replacement spare. Don’t travel far without a spare. Tires for smaller trailers can be harder to come by, but your nearest Camping World Service Center can help you find the best trailer tire providers in your area. 

What PSI Should My RV Tires Be?

RV tires have their maximum pressure stated on the tire’s sidewall. This maximum pressure should never be exceeded. That said, the RV manufacturer will typically specify the recommended tire pressure for your RV, rather than the tire manufacturer. 

The RV manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure rating can be found on your vehicle information label or in your owner’s manual. However, it’s also important to note that this pressure rating applies to cold tires. 

Should Trailer Tires Be Inflated to Max PSI?

The dangers of over-inflating trailer tires include more difficulty braking and a higher likelihood of tire blowouts. Over-inflated tires also wear out quickly and provide less traction on wet roads. 

To avoid over-inflating, you should fill your tires to their recommended pressure when they are cold—when your RV has been parked for at least three hours. As the air temperature inside your tires increases, the pressure also increases.

What to Park RV Tires On

While using RV tire covers is a good way to protect tires from moisture and UV exposure, you can also keep your tires healthy by parking on less-damaging surfaces. RV leveling blocks or tiered tire ramps not only help you level your RV camper, but they also protect your tires from unforgiving surfaces. Some campers also use their stabilizing jacks to reduce weight on RV tires while parked. 

Learn more in our guide to proper RV tire storage.

Do Trailer Tires Need to be Balanced?

The standard for ride quality in a travel trailer differs slightly from that of passenger vehicles. Trailers and fifth wheels are designed to carry cargo and equipment, rather than passengers.

However, regularly balancing your trailer’s tires can improve performance, increase tire lifespan, and ensure the safety of your trailer and its cargo. Unbalanced tires can cause damaging vibrations and premature wear. 

They will also heat up more quickly, increasing the odds of a blowout. In the worst case, they can damage your axle bearing, potentially damaging other nearby parts or causing your wheel to come loose while driving at high speeds. 

Most trailer manufacturers will recommend service intervals for tire balancing. But the industry standard recommends balancing your travel trailer’s tires every 3,000 miles.

Ensuring the health of your tires is crucial to the overall well-being of your RV and the safety of your passengers. It will also limit the number of times you find yourself on the side of the road dialing for roadside assistance. Here are a few more resources to help you enjoy safe travel in your camper: 

• Emergency Essentials for RV Owners
• Which States Require a Trailer Braking System?
• Does Your RV Need a Trailer Sway Control Kit?

Do you have any additional questions about RV tires or trailer tires? Share them in the comments below!