I’ll never forget that morning when I was a kid and dad had brought us for a family RV trip through the mid-west. We were about an hour away from Mount Rushmore, when we all felt start pulling towards the shoulder.
It was nothing dramatic, nothing scary, just a subtle shift. But something in dad's gut told him to pull over.
When he stepped out and checked the tires, one of the rear ones looked like it was ready to burst. The tread looked fine, but you could see the sidewall starting to bulge.
If we’d kept going another half-hour at highway speed, that tire would’ve blown. And with the weight of the RV, that might have meant losing control, damaging the rig, or worse...
We've created the following guide to help RV owners understand the importance of RV tire safety. We'll provide you with the most important things to check before every trip to make sure the same things doesn't happen to you. But first...
What Is RV Tire Safety & Why Does It Matter?
RV tire safety involves making sure tires are in good shape before, during, and after every trip.
This is done by checking pressure levels, knowing the age and mileage of your rubbers, inspecting them for signs of damage, unusual tread wear, exposed belts, dry rot, cracks, or bulging sidewalls, as well as making sure your lug nuts are torqued on properly.
Remember that your RV tires really are one of the most important component of your rig. They keep you rolling down the highway, and ensure you make it safely to wherever it is you're going.
Yes, they are designed to handle the unique demands of RV travel. They're generally bigger, stronger, and more durable than standard car tires. But that doesn't mean they're invincible.
Which is why RV tire safety, regular tire checks and maintenance are an essential aspect of every RV owners RV maintenance checklist.
RV Tire Safety Checklist
A comprehensive RV tire safety checklist includes regular checks of tire pressure and looking for signs of damage. But it also involves inspecting spare tires, checking lug nuts, and inspecting other critical components of your drive-train.
Here's our in-depth RV tire safety checklist:
- Check all tires (including the spare) when cold.
- Inflate to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI (listed on the RV’s tire placard or owner manual).
- Use a tread gauge to check wear. Replace tires if reading is below 4/32" tread. Uneven wear may indicate alignment or suspension issues
- Visually inspect for cracks, cuts, bulges, or foreign objects (nails, glass, debris)
- Make sure your valve stems are in good condition and have caps
- After rotating, replacing, or changing tires, always make sure lug nuts are tightened to the correct torque specs. Check again after 50 to 100 miles.
- Understand RV weight distribution best practices and verify the vehicle is evenly loaded
- Use sturdy RV tire covers to protect from UV damage and weathering while parked for longer periods of time
- Rotate your RV tires every 5,000 to 7,000 miles (or as recommended by the manufacturer's specifications)
- Have your tires professionally balanced and aligned every 1 to 2 years
This checklist should help you prevent tire-related accidents and problems on the road. So you can have a safe and enjoyable trip, every time.
Pro tip - Worried about RV tire problems? We've put together the perfect RV tire safety checklist. Save it or print it off, so you'll always have it with your when you're on the road.
The Most Common Cause of RV Tire Blowouts
Even when running a set of new, good quality tires, flats and blowouts can happen. And when they do, they can be catastrophic, causing loss of control and potentially fatal accidents.
That's why it’s essential to understand the common causes of tire blowouts, which include driving on damaged or worn-out tires, under or over-inflation, overloading your tires, and driving at excessively high speeds.
Inspecting tires for damage is important. But a tire's age is a critical factor that people often overlook. Rubber deteriorates over time, especially when constantly exposed to sun and other elements. Tires tires older than 6-10 years are more prone to blowouts, even when they appear in good condition.
So it's important to always be aware of your tires' DOT manufacturing date. This number is typically found on the tire's sidewall. Use it to determine the tire’s manufacture date to decide whether it needs to be replaced.
Ultimately, understanding tire age and mileage, and performing regular inspections and tire maintenance are the best ways to prevent blowouts.
Image courtesy of Da-shika @ Unsplash.com
Tips For Checking & Managing RV Tire Pressure
Every RV has different tire pressure requirements based on the vehicle's weight, class, and the make and model of tire. Inflating your tires to the right level is essential for safe travel, which is why you should always use a reliable and accurate tire pressure gauge.
Ideally, you should only check tire pressure when the tires are cold. If you check after having driven on the tires, the air inside will be warmer, which can give inaccurate pressure readings.
Finally, it's important to know that under and over-inflation increase your risk tire failure.
Under-inflation increases tread wear and reduces tire life, and leads to increased fuel consumption. Meanwhile, over-inflation can cause uneven wear and reduced traction.
So it's important to check and adjust your tire pressure levels often, especially when driving longer distances.
How To Prevent RV Tire Failure
The best way to prevent RV tire failure is to perform regular maintenance, keep tire pressure at optimal levels, and to replace your tires whenever they reach a certain age, mileage, or start to show signs of premature wear.
All tires also have weight and speed ratings. So it's also crucial to avoid overloading your RV, driving at high speeds above the recommend rating, and to avoid exposing your tires to extreme temperatures, which can increase your risk of tire failure.
Furthermore, using a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) can provide you with real-time alerts while traveling. These devices let you remotely check tire pressure levels, and tell you if and when a tire is losing pressure.
Pro Tip - We also strongly recommend using tire covers when your RV is winterized for the off-season or parked for lengthier periods of time. Covers help keep you tires out of the sun, and away from rain, ice, and snow, making sure they last for as long as possible.
Lug Nuts and Valve Stems Maintenance
Tire pressure and tread depth are important to understand. But it's just as important to make sure your lug nuts are torque properly and that your valve stems and caps are in good working order.
Anytime you mount a tire, lug nuts should be tightened to the torque specs recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. And even then, after you've driven about 100 miles, you should always re-check to make sure that they haven't settled or come loose while on the road.
On another note, valve stems should also be inspected regularly for signs of damage or wear. Worn valve stems can cause slow leaks, increasing your risk of tire failure. Always replace them as soon as possible if you notice they're damaged or leaking air.
Finally, even valve caps are important. They protect the valve stem from dirt and moisture. So, even though valve caps might not seem important, these small pieces of plastic really can prevent air leaks and improve road safety.
Lug nuts and valve stems are often overlooked. But they're an important component of RV tire safety that every road warrior should keep an eye on.
Image courtesy of Frank Albrecht @ Unsplash.com
When To Replace Your RV Tire Immediately?
If you notice any visible damage whatsoever, it's time to replace your tires as soon as possible.
Bulges, cracks in the tire sidewall, uneven wear patterns, and other irregularities, are all signs of underlying problems. Never drive on tires that are damaged.
Now, we know it can be expensive to replace an entire set of RV tires. But can you really put a price on the safety of you and your family?
Running good quality tires provides you with a smoother, quieter ride.
However, keeping your tires properly inflated, regularly inspecting them for signs of damage, and understanding the importance of RV tire safety keeps you and your family safe, no matter where you're headed!
Pro Tip - Worried about the cost of RV tires? You can check out our comprehensive guide on how much do RV tires cost, which covers everything from price, tire types, speed and weight ratings, and RV class specifications.
Frequently Asked Questions - RV Tire Safety & Understanding Tire Health
Keeping your RV tires in good shape isn't complicated. But it does require regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the rubber isn't wearing out prematurely. Just in case we've missed anything, here are a handful of questions we often hear from our readers.
Are 10 year old RV tires safe?
No, tires that are older than 6 to 10 are not safe. Old tires become unsafe due to the deterioration of the rubber. Even if they look normal, they're at a higher risk of failing. That's why it's important to check your tire's DOT date code, and replace tires in a timely manner.
Should RV tires be off the ground in storage?
Yes, whenever possible you should keep your RV tires stored off the ground. You can use leveling stands or jacks to lift your RV. Or in the very least, periodically move the rig and rotate the tires to prevent stress, deformation, and to extend tire lifespan.
Why do people cover their tires on RVs?
People use RV tire covers to protect the rubber from UV radiation, moisture, snow and ice. Exposed tires are more likely to dry out, crack, and fail compared to tires that are regularly covered and protected from the elements.
Should I run my RV tires at max PSI?
No, should never run RV tires at the max PSI listed on the sidewall. This is the maximum PSI the tire can withstand and not the pressure level you should use. Refer to your RV's owner's manual or tire placard inside the driver door for recommend pressure level.
How to inspect RV tires?
Visual inspections can help you spot signs of dryness, cracks, bulges or uneven tread wear. But you should also use a reliable tire pressure gauge and a tread depth gauge to make sure your tires are in good working order.
Is the penny test for tires accurate?
The penny test can be OK to check if a tire's tread has worn down. But it's not the most accurate way to measure tread depth. Instead, we encourage you to use a quality tread depth gauge, which will give you a more accurate reading.
Do RVs need special tires?
RVs don't need "special" tires. But they do need tires that match the weight, class, and speed rating of the vehicle itself. Always purchase tires that are the correct size for your RV, as well as making sure they match the speed and weight rating of the vehicle.
How to tell if RV tires need to be replaced?
Visible damage includes dry rot, cracks, bulges, or uneven tread wear. But you should also replace your RV tires after 6 years, or when they've reached a certain mileage level as recommended by the manufacturer's specifications.
Do RV or travel trailers go bad from sitting?
Yes, RV and travel trailer tires can go bad from sitting. Stationary tires can develop flat spots and may experience dry rot if exposed to moisture, snow, ice, and sun for too long. That's why we recommend using tire covers to maximize the lifespan of your investment.
How often should tires be replaced on an RV?
Most experts recommend RV tires be replaced after 6 to 10 years, regardless of tread wear. Even if older tires look fine, the rubber may not be as strong as it once was, which puts you at a greater risk of experiencing a blowout.
Are 10-year old RV tires illegal?
No, 10-year old RV tires are not illegal. However, they can be unsafe. Always replace RV tires if it's been more than 10 years from the DOT date code, which you can usually find on the tire's sidewall.
How do I prevent dry rot on RV tires?
Use a good quality set of tire covers to protect your RV tires from UV radiation and other harsh weather conditions. You should also store tires in a cool, dry location, and avoid using harsh chemical cleaners if possible.
Is it OK to put regular air in nitrogen-filled RV tires?
It is safe to inflate nitrogen-filled tires with regular air. However, doing so can reduce the benefit of using nitrogen-filled tires in the first place. So you may be reducing the tire's ability to maintain a consistent pressure level at varying temperatures, as well as reducing your RV's fuel efficiency.
Are RV tires the same as regular tires?
Generally, yes RV tires are similar to regular tires. But RV tires are bigger, stronger, and more durable than regular tires. RV tires need to match your vehicles weight, class, speed, and weight ratings to ensure safe operation.
Can you put car tires on an RV?
No, most car tires are not suitable for use on an RV. Car tires generally will not be rated for the weight of a recreational vehicle, which means there's a higher chance of blowouts and catastrophic tire failure while driving.