Motorhome Tyre Safety

Whatever tyres are fitted to your motorhome, it is essential to the safety and stability of the combination that all tyres are correctly inflated for the applied load. Tyres that are under-inflated are much more likely to suffer from a sudden rapid deflation which can cause loss of control of the vehicle.

Find out more about mortorhome tyre safety using the menu boxes below.

Motorhome Tyres

Why are tyres important?

Tyres are the only parts of the motorhome which are in contact with the road. Safety in acceleration, braking, steering and cornering all depend on a relatively small area of road contact. It is therefore of paramount importance that tyres should be maintained in good condition at all times and that when the time comes to change them the correct replacements are fitted. Further advice and information about motorhome tyres Download our handy guide to motorhome tyre safety

Motorhome Tyres And Your Safety

Remember the ‘Golden Rules’ For safe use of motorhomes:

  • Fit tyres of the correct specification
  • Tyres must be in good condition
  • Do not overload
  • Tyre pressures must be correctly maintained (obtain a pressure gauge from your auto centre)
  • Check your tyres regularly for any signs of damage and remove from the tread any potential penetrations such as trapped stones.
  • Drive the combination at reasonable (‘comfortable’) speeds – within the speed limits
  • Avoid rapid manoeuvres, e.g. sudden overtaking/lane changes, wherever possible. Good driving practice includes intelligent anticipation of such moves.
  • Respect the motorhome manufacturer’s recommendations at all times.

Can I change the tyre size or type on my motorhome?

It is recommended that changes in tyre size or type should not be undertaken without seeking advice from the motorhome or tyre manufacturers, as the effect on motorhome handling, safety and clearances must be taken into account. In some other European countries it is illegal to use replacements which differ in certain respects (e.g. size, load, and speed rating) from the tyre fitted originally by the vehicle manufacturer.

How do I know which tyres to fit to my motorhome?

As with all road vehicles, it is essential that tyres of the correct specification be fitted. It is always advisable to have the same construction of tyres on all wheels. Only tyres of equal size and service description (Load Index/Speed Symbol) and identical wheels should be fitted across an axle and carried as a spare. Tyre pressures across an axle should be equal. Tyres originally fitted to motorhomes are usually of a Light Commercial (“C” or “CP”) type. CP-type tyres are now widely used as they have been designed to cater for the higher loads imposed by motorhomes, especially when fitted in a single formation on the rear axle. The original tyre specification should not be changed without consulting either the vehicle or tyre manufacturer. Deviating from the original specification of tyre is likely to have an effect on the handling and general characteristics of the vehicle.

Never replace the tyres with ones of a lower speed rating or load capacity. Most tyres in current use will be of a ‘tubeless’ construction, although some older vehicles may have ‘tube type’ tyres fitted. If the tyre is marked ‘tube type’ it is important the correct size of tube is used. If converting from ‘tube type’ tyres to ‘tubeless’ radials, the wheel must be of the ‘safety’ type. Consult a tyre expert before carrying out such a conversion.

Do I need to fit winter tyres to my motorhome during the colder seasons?

If travelling abroad during the winter season, some countries stipulate appropriate winter tyres are fitted to the vehicle. Even if the country being visited does not employ such a legal requirement it is always a good practice to fit tyres that are appropriate for the road/weather conditions. Consult the tyre manufacturer.

Do I need to have a spare wheel or tyre for my motorhome?

It is strongly recommended that a compatible spare wheel/tyre assembly be carried for the motorhome. This should be checked for its condition and inflation pressure regularly. The pressure should be set at the maximum required for the vehicle. You never know when it will be needed and for which wheel position.

How long do motorhome tyres last?

There is no known technical data that supports a specific tyre age for removal from service. However, in the interests of safety a number of vehicle and tyre manufacturers recommend that tyres (including spare tyres) that were manufactured more than a certain number of years previously be replaced with new tyres, even when they appear to be usable from their external appearance and the tread may not have reached the minimum wear out depth. It is recommended that any such instruction be followed.  Consumers should note that most tyres would have to be removed for tread wear-out or other causes before any prescribed age is reached. A stated removal period in no way reduces the consumer’s responsibility to replace tyres as needed.

Can I use a puncture sealant on my motorhome’s tyres in an emergency?

The use of a pre-puncture sealant is not recommended; however it is recognised that a post-puncture sealant may well serve a useful function if used to move a stranded vehicle to a safe location where a proper INTERNAL examination and repair of the tyre may be carried out. In view of the fact that the non-punctured tyre on the other side of the axle may have been overloaded following a deflation it is important to have BOTH tyres examined. If the distance travelled on a totally deflated tyre is more than a few metres it is likely that the extent of non-visible damage renders the tyre irreparable and, hence, in need of replacement.

What happens when motorhome tyres are overloaded?

It is dangerous to overload tyres at any time. The police may take action against drivers when their vehicle is carrying an excessive or badly distributed load. A poorly distributed load can cause overloading of one or more wheels even when the maximum permissible total load is not exceeded. It is important to spread the load evenly around the vehicle and as low as possible, thus the stability of the vehicle will not be impaired. Failure to adhere to this rule will invite tyre problems and possibly tyre failure. It is advisable to ensure the total vehicle operating weight is below the specified maximum limit, and a margin of 10% will partly compensate for some unequal load distribution. To ensure a safely loaded vehicle make use of public weighbridges. Contact your local council if you are unsure where to find your nearest weighbridge. You can view motorhome load and inflation tables here.

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