How to Make Your Towable RV Trailer Tires Last Longer
How to Make Your Towable RV Trailer Tires Last Longer
You probably didn’t know that the first RV was hand-built onto an automobile in 1904. That means Americans have been roughing it in comfort as they explored the sights and wonders of the United States for nearly 120 years. As you would expect—since that first primitive RV that slept four adults on bunks, was lit by incandescent lights and included an icebox and a radio hit the road—the quality of towable RVs, along with the comfort and convenience and pretty much every aspect of the recreational vehicle experience—has improved, including how you tow it. The tire experts at Treadworld are here to provide you with some tips to help you get maximum longevity out of the travel trailer tires you’re using to tow your RV.
How Long Do Tires for RV Last?
That question can be answered two ways—in miles or in years. Either way the answer depends on who you talk to, and either way the answer won’t be definitive because of a multitude of variable factors—including the type of roads you travel (paved or back roads), how you drive (with RV safety in mind or like a maniac), how often you use your tow behind trailer (every weekend or 2-3 times a year), what you’re towing and how much it weighs (a lightweight popup camper, a luxury fifth wheel camper, a small toy hauler or a Winnebago travel trailer), and possibly the most important factor and what we’re here to talk about today—the care and effort you put into maintaining your trailer tires. Rule of thumb estimates unburdened by any of the aforementioned factors provide that, for maximum tire safety, you’ll want to change your travel trailer tires around every 10,000 to 15,000 miles, or every three to six years. Keep in mind that even if you don’t use your towable RV trailer often, the tires on your trailer can still endure wear and tear as types of weather, differentiating seasonal temperatures, and less than optimal storage conditions, take a toll.
The Two Biggest Reasons Tires for Pull Behind Trailers Fail
Our experience tells us that the two reasons a majority of travel trailer tires are compromised can both be easily avoided with a little care. The first biggest issue is too heavy a load—which can occur when the pull behind travel trailer you’ve selected is not suited for the weight of the RV you’re towing, or when you overload your RV with too much stuff, or passengers, or whatever. The fact is, you cannot exceed the load range capacity for tires or the trailer axles and expect to have failure-free road trips. The second biggest reason that towable RV tires are compromised is running at less or more than optimal air pressure. Proper air pressure allows the tires to wear evenly, promotes better gas mileage, and improves both your ride and your safety. Under-inflated tires, on the other hand, can dramatically reduce load-carrying capacity and lead to blowouts due to the excessive heat that’s created. Over-inflated tires are no good either, as they can affect the handling characteristics of your trailer, as well as your tow vehicle. Inflate trailer tires to the maximum PSI (pounds per square inch) indicated on the sidewall before you begin your trip.
Should Tires for Tow Behind Trailers Be Aligned?
In a word, yes—though moreso on a two axle/4-wheel trailer than a single axle/2 wheel trailer! Poor alignment of your trailer tires can lead to uneven wear, along with suspension component strain and decreased fuel efficiency. If your trailer seems to be pulling, weaving or drifting to one side, you may have an alignment issue include.
Should Tires for My RV Trailer Be Balanced?
In a word, no—though it can’t hurt if having your trailer tires balanced gives you a feeling of on-the-road security, and there are some who feel balancing trailer tires contributes to longer tire life. But for the most part, unlike car tires, trailer tires are designed to follow behind carrying a load, not turn and corner, so balancing your trailer tires isn’t essential. Obviously, quality tires you can depend on are crucial to RV safety. Inspect them on a regular basis when you’re taking your recreational vehicle on the road, and follow these safety tips. And when you come across issues, take the steps needed to solve those issues, including replacing the tires on your pull behind travel trailer as needed.
What About Tire Rotation on Camper Trailer Tires?
Tire rotation can contribute to longer tire life because let’s face it, tires do not wear evenly. That’s because each tire serves in a different location and so experiences different forces. Tires on the front of the trailer, for instance, tend to wear more on the outside edges because they do get more pressure when turning corners, while back tires tend to wear more evenly because they do not.
Proper Trailer Tires Storage Is Crucial to Longer Life
Though it might seem to contradict logic, trailer tires that get used regularly can have a longer lifespan than those kept in storage. That’s because, during use, tires release compound lubricants that can help extend tire life. On the other hand, tires in storage can degrade as a result of storage conditions if they include exposure to sunlight, radical temperature shifts, and sitting directly on wet, hard ground. Storing your trailer and tires out of the sun will help avoid degradation due to UV rays, and putting waterproof blocks beneath the tires to avoid flatspotting and keep them from absorbing moisture from the ground or floor. Keeping the temperatures fairly consistent can also help avoid the weather cracking that results from exposure to weather. Tire covers are another option for you to consider.
Carefully Inspect Your Trailer Tires Often
Failures of any kind are a bad thing when you’re towing a travel trailer, but blowouts in your RV tires or travel trailer tires can prove to be especially dangerous. Clean your tires with soap and water if they’re dirty—to contribute to their longevity and to make your inspections easier. Be alert for signs of wear, cracking on the tread surface or bulges in the sidewall. Using a gauge rather than just your eyeballs, check the pressure of your tires for RV and towing vehicle both on a regular basis to be certain they are properly inflated to maximum PSI (pounds per square inch). And keep an eye on the treadwear—not just to be certain that your tires aren’t getting worn down to the nubs, but because irregular, uneven and patchy wear can be an indication of a bigger problem on the horizon.
When You Need Tires for Your RV Trailer, Count on Treadworld
When you’re looking for the best travel trailer tires, camper tires, tires for your RV trailer, trailer wheels and tires, or a spare trailer tire, count on us here at Treadworld to provide you with the high-performing, long-lasting trailer tires you want, in a wide range of styles and a huge selection of sizes. All our RubberMaster Trailer Tires are manufactured to strict tolerances from top rubber compounds, then triple-tested for quality, balance and uniformity before being X-rayed to be sure they’re perfect. Easy ordering, fast shipping plus your satisfaction is guaranteed with our no-hassle Ultimate Advantage Warranty. We make changing trailer tires easy. Don’t hesitate to contact our tire experts via live chat, or email with any questions you may have, and to get the ideal trailer tires—or the perfect ATV tires, UTV tires, golf cart tires, lawn and garden tires, and many others—from our extensive selection.
