RV tires put up with a lot more than tires on your average vehicle. They travel long distances, for the most part, and often explore rough terrain. Plus they’re working to support much more weight, including more passengers and luggage. All of those factors combined should convince you to spend a little more time considering the options for purchasing Class C RV tires and how to ensure proper maintenance. We’ll go over the basics for you here.
Class C RV Tires
RV tires come in a handful of standard sizes and are manufactured by both brand name and generic companies in stores and online. Vetting all of those options can be tricky. When shopping for Class C RV tires though, your best bet is to get out your RV manual.
Once you know the size of your tires, begin by looking for the brand name version of your tire’s replacement. If your RV came with Bridgestone tires, see what else that company has on the market. Firestone? Same deal. Then begin to cross-examine their specs with the generics.
Depending on where you travel, and how much, you’ll want to look for tires that can withstand all types of weather from sunshine, to rain storms, to heavy snow. And you’ll want tires that will put up to the toughest of tests on back roads and up hills.
Some tires tout a quick sound on the highway, while others promise even wear and a long tread life. Be sure to read reviews to make sure it all checks out.
Buying Class C Tires
When buying Class C RV tires, you can’t go wrong by doing your research. You’ll soon learn both brick and mortar and online options are available. Depending on your location, though, it might be harder to find a local vendor. With the internet, you can use price comparison tools and check reviews to see which tires got the best ratings from users and the highest satisfaction. You’ll also be able to search for any recalls on certain tire brands and tips from seasoned motorhome enthusiasts whose recommendations on Class C motorhome tires you might be more inclined to follow.
Tire Maintenance
You might think the only time it’s necessary to work on a tire is when you’ve suffered a flat or a blowout. You might be surprised then to learn that there are a few things you can do on a regular basis to help prevent regular wear and tear of your tires and prolong their life. In doing so, you’ll also ensure your safety on the road, pending any unforeseen accident.
When inspecting your tires, be sure to grab a light, a pair of gloves and a pair of protective eyewear. You’ll want to check the condition of the tire tread, making sure it’s not worn or bald in certain places. You’ll also want to look for any foreign objects lodged in the tire that might not have caused a leak yet. Look, too, for punctures along the sides of the tires where the rubber meets the rim. Feel for bulges where there might be building pressure and a thinning portion of the rubber.
things you can do to keep your tires from deteriorating and suffering damage:
- Keep your tires clean. As with anything in life, the better you take care of it the longer it will last. Removal of dirt and debris will keep your tires in good working order.
- Flex your tires. By using your tires you are allowing the wax to form slowly and continue to protect your tires. So not only are you protecting them with that waxy seal, but you are preventing the drying and cracking that some tires experience when not properly used or left to sit.
- Apply a black carbon to your tires. Now that you have cleaned your tires sufficiently you want to apply something such as 303 aerospace protectant. So far this is the only known product that will counteract those harmful UV rays that can destroy your tires. You want to avoid anything that contains alcohol, petroleum, or silicone. These chemicals, or combination of chemicals, can damage your tires.
Other things to keep in mind are timely tire rotations, leveling, and buying new tires when necessary. All these will keep your motorhome safe and on the road.
By following proper tire maintenance on your class C RV tires you are not only ensuring happy travel, but less worry and money spent on tires.
