RV tires come in a wide range of sizes and styles because RVs themselves come in a wide range of sizes and styles. While Class A motorhomes often require heavy-duty tires similar to those found on commercial vehicles, the situation is much different for smaller Class B camper vans. However, these vehicles still require some care when choosing tires, and you can't pick the same rubber you would for your daily driver.
Fortunately, choosing tires for a Class B motorhome also isn't too complex or difficult. This guide will explain some of the differences between RV tires and regular tires and will also go over some decisions you'll need to make. By the time you finish reading, you'll be ready to pick the perfect tires for your next on- or off-road adventure.
The Basics: Load Index and Weight
The load index is the most critical safety factor to consider when selecting a tire for your RV. The load index for a tire is a number that tells you the amount of weight a single tire can support. Add all of your tires together to get your total weight allowance. If you're looking at a tire's specifications, the load index is a code you'll need to cross-reference on a load index chart.
Many sites listing tires will restrict the products you can view based on the vehicle you select, but it's still crucial to double-check the load index against your RV's weight rating. Even Class B RVs can be much heavier than normal passenger vehicles, so choosing tires that can handle the weight is essential. Selecting tires with inadequate load capacity is asking for a disaster.
Getting Advanced: All-Terrain, All-Season, or Snow?
Once you've limited your search to tires that can safely carry your RV, you'll need to make some decisions about the driving you'll be doing. Just as with regular passenger tires, the best choices for your RV will involve trade-offs depending on your driving conditions and preferences. Your choices will usually be better all-terrain, all-season, and snow tires.
The best option for your RV will depend on your particular driving conditions and preferences. You'll need all-terrain (A/T) tires if you venture on anything rougher than a well-maintained dirt path. However, remember that A/T tires typically provide a rough on-road ride. Buying them "just in case" may be a poor idea if you don't plan to do much or any off-road driving.
What if you're mostly sticking to on-road adventures and well-maintained campsites? In most cases, all-season tires will be your best bet. These provide the best combination of quality, comfort, and longevity. The exception is if you often drive in cold climates or areas with heavy snowfall. In these cases, snow tires will provide drastically better performance than all-season options.
Share29 August 2022
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