All about Caravan Tyres

Terry Owen, our resident expert, looks at caravan tyres

Compared to car tyres, those fitted to caravans would appear have an easy life. With no acceleration or steering to do and only a fraction of the mileage you might think they would last forever.

The problem is the day a tyre is made a clock starts to tick - and that clock is the ageing of the rubber compound from which the tyre is made. Oxygen in the air and sunlight combine to break down its molecules. The warmer it is the faster this process happens.

The effect is to reduce the strength and elasticity of the rubber and to weaken the tyre. Consider also that caravans may be stored outside in full sun for weeks or months on end without turning a wheel. This can lead to the development of flat spots and uneven stresses within the tyre.

When to change

The generally accepted rule within the caravan industry is that tyres should be changed when five years old, even if they appear in perfect condition. Indeed, in The Netherlands, a caravan will not pass its MOT if a tyre is six years old or more.

Failure to observe this advice can result in a blow out and possibly severe damage to the caravan through flailing strips of rubber penetrating the bodywork.

Above: This tyre looked in perfect condition before the blow out but it was more than 10 years old

Heavy, single axle, caravans are particularly vulnerable to the effects of tyre neglect especially if regularly used in mainland Europe during the summer months. As a guide, any tyre running at 50psi or more should be checked regularly for signs of deterioration from 3 years old.

How to tell the age of a tyre

All tyres are marked with a coded date of manufacture usually located in a 'window' on the tyre sidewall. The first two digits represent the week of manufacture and the second two the year. The numbers may be preceded with letters as here.

The code may not be on both sidewalls so, if you can't see it, try the other side of the tyre.

Above: This tyre was manufactured during week 14 of 2015

Understanding tyre ratings

There is a myth that caravan tyres are different to car tyres and that car tyres should never be fitted to a caravan. It's true that caravan tyres, particularly those for single axle caravans, are more akin to van tyres because of the higher loads they have to carry. However, what matters is the tyre's load rating, also referred to as load index. This should always be sufficient to cope with the maximum weight of the vehicle.

Take for example a single axle caravan with a maximum weight (MTPLM) of 1500kg. Each wheel must carry a load of half this, i.e. 750kg. The caravan manufacturer will apply a safety margin of say 20%, so the tyres will probably have a load rating of 900kg. In the table below you can see that this figure equates to a load index of 104.

A typical tyre for this situation might well be specified as 185 R14 104. This means it has a width of 185mm, is designed for a 14-inch rim and has a load index of 104. There may be another number after the width e.g. 185 65 R14. The second number is the aspect ratio of the tyre, here showing the tyre has a height to width ratio of 65%.

When replacing a tyre it is vital to ensure the new tyre has a load index of at least that specified by the caravan manufacturer. It can be tempting to go for a higher rating but it shouldn't be necessary.

Don't be tempted to fit a wider tyre to get a higher load rating as it will also have a larger diameter and may end up fouling the wheel housing, What's more, with a twin axle caravan, there may be little or no space between the tyres. Our advice would always be to stick with the tyre size and rating specified in the caravan's handbook.

Where caravans are concerned the speed rating of the tyre is not critical as you're unlikely to exceed the limit of any tyre you buy. The rating is shown by a capital letter in the range N to Y with N standing for 87 mph and Y for 186mph. The letter often follows the load marking, e.g. 104 T.

It's also important to ensure the tyres on a given axle are identical and, for that reason, it is good practice to replace them both together. This will help ensure the caravan reacts evenly to any forces it is subjected to, including those brought about by crosswinds.

Budget vs big name

There's nothing wrong with going for new budget tyres if you fancy saving some money. It's not like a car where you may feel any difference in performance. Budget tyres are often made in countries with lower manufacturing costs and can offer genuine savings.

Be careful if you are offered retread or remould tyres. These are made from worn tyres with otherwise good carcasses given new treads. Whilst improving standards over the years mean these tyres are more reliable than they used to be the fact remains the carcass may already be several years old.

Where to buy

If you're happy to remove and refit the wheels yourself then taking them to your local tyre dealer could be the best bet. Before you start make sure you have a good torque wrench and know what setting to use. Alternatively choose a company like Kwik-Fit or Tyres on the Drive that will come to you.

Here are some alternative online tyre companies to compare prices:

Above: Mobile fitting services will come to your caravan

Tyre safety bands

It's a fact that tyre fitters hate safety bands because they make tyre changing much more difficult. The band must be removed before the tyre can be taken off and then refitted once the new tyre is on the rim. All this takes time so expect to pay a premium on the fitting charge.

Above: Lots of lubricant and a special cage were needed to access this safety band prior to its removal

Wheel balancing

Wheel balancing is not strictly necessary as you will not feel any imbalances when towing. If however you want to ensure your caravan and its contents have as smooth a ride as possible it's worth asking for the wheels to be balanced.

Above: Wheel balancing will give your caravan and contents a smoother ride