One of the most important to stay on top of as an RV owner? Your RV tires. These need to be checked before and after every trip. The tire pressure should be watched carefully, and damaged or worn tires absolutely must be replaced immediately.
Unfortunately, RV tires don’t come cheap. In this article we will discuss the cost of these tires. We will also talk about the best tires for motorhomes and travel trailers, as well as when to replace the tires on your rig.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Motorhome Tires?
Let’s begin by answering the question, “How much does it cost to replace motorhome tires?” Usually, motorhome tires are going to be more expensive than the average car tire. This is simply because RVs are so much bigger and heavier than a passenger vehicle, meaning they need bulkier tires.
The cost of a motorhome tire will depend on a few different things. The first of these factors is the quality of the tires. It’s important that you purchase high-quality LT radial tires from a trusted brand.
Additionally, be sure to check the max load rating and tire ply composition to ensure the tire is a good fit for your rig. Also, check the date of manufacture on the tire sidewall to make sure the tire is no more than 6 years old.
Keep in mind that the size and type of RV you own will determine the type of tires you need, along with the cost of tire replacement.
- Class A tires are much bigger and heavier than class C tires, meaning it’s generally more expensive to replace the tires on a class A vehicle.
- Meanwhile, because a class B van is a smaller and lighter vehicle, you will likely find slightly cheaper options for such a rig.
Generally speaking, you should expect motorhome RV tire prices to fall somewhere between $270 and $700+ for each good motorhome tire.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Trailer Tires?
What if you have a travel trailer or fifth wheel? How much does it cost to replace RV tires on a pull-behind camper?
Again, the answer will depend on the quality of the tire as well as how much weight it can handle. Be sure to check out all the little details mentioned above in order to ensure whatever tire you purchase will work for your rig. Additionally, you will want to make sure you are buying a radial ST set of tires from a reputable company.
If you go with a high quality tire—and you definitely should for safety reasons, as well as financial ones—you can expect trailer RV tire prices to fall somewhere between $100 and $200 each.
How Often Should RV Tires Be Replaced?
You now know which tires to shop for and what to expect in terms of price, but how will you know when it’s time to bite the bullet and invest in new RV tires? Well, there are actually a few different signs it’s time for new tires for your trailer or motorhome.
Old Tires
No matter how good your tires look, if they’re more than 6 years old, they have to go. Tires weaken over time, and those over 6 years old could give out on you without giving any visible hint that such an event is about to occur.
To find out when your tires were manufactured, look for the numbers on the sidewall. The last four digits represent the week and year the tire was made. For instance, a tire that reads “0120” was made in the first week of 2020 and should be replaced by January 1st, 2026.
Worn Tires
Usually, tires become worn out before they have a chance to get too old to use. Watch the tread on your RV tires just as you would the tires on a car. If the tread gets shallower than 2/32”, it’s time for new tires.
Damaged Tires
Finally, there’s the possibility of tires becoming damaged. As mentioned before, you will want to check your tires for damage at the beginning and end of every trip. Look for uneven wear, bubbling side walls, nails or screws, cracking in the sidewalls, flat tires, and other visible issues. If you spot a problem, replace the problem tire before hitting the road.
3 Tire Care Tips
- 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.
There you have it, folks! The cost of RV tires, as well as info on the best RV tires and when to replace them. Hopefully this information helps you stay safe and sound while traveling so you can have amazing camping adventures for years to come.
