Anyone who owns an RV knows those giant RV tires are expensive. So why not cover them up? It’s worth the investment to purchase RV tire covers to protect those tires. RV tire covers save you money in the end by ensuring the tires last longer. Tires get a lot of wear and covering them up when you’re not in travel mode significantly extends their life.
Protection
There are several ways in which RV tire covers protect your tires. The first is by shielding against direct sunlight and exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays. UV rays negatively affect the flexibility of the rubber compounds in RV tires.
You won’t necessarily see the damage from UV rays, which makes it even more dangerous.
The rubber compounds in the tires break down from UV exposure. The sidewalls are susceptible to UV ray damage that can weaken them over time. RV tire covers can decrease the effects of UV rays by keeping them protected. No one wants “sun-baked tires”.
RV tire covers also help protect against harsh weather and cold temperatures. Tire covers will eliminate premature cracking on your RV tire sidewalls.
What to Look for When Buying RV Spare Tire Covers
- Style & Color: Shield-style covers protect just the front of the tire; bag-style covers wrap the entire tire. Both black and white offer UV protection — black hides dirt better, but white stays cooler in hot climates.
- Material: Vinyl is most common, but canvas and hard-shell aluminum are also options. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s UV-resistant and easy to pack while driving.
- Fastenings: Closures include zippers, cinches, bungees, grommets, and snap/lock mechanisms for hard shells. Pick whichever you can operate easily on your own.
- Brands: Camco, ADCO, Classic Accessories, and TCP Global are all reliable options worth checking out.
Types of Tire Covers
- RV tire covers come in single or double-axle sizes. You can purchase a shield style, which covers just the front side of the tire, or a bag style which covers the entire tire. The shield style covers the front of the tire and allows for air circulation. The bag fits snuggly, while still allowing air to circulate.
- RV tire covers come in both black and white. Both colors reduce UV exposure. Many people choose black because it hides any dirt that builds up on the covers. Black tire covers do heat up more than white tire covers and should be avoided if you spent a lot of time in areas with excessive temperatures.
- How do you measure for RV tire covers? Look for the tire code on the sidewall of the RV tire. Use that number to match to the tire covers. If you can’t find the tire code, simply measure the tire from tread to tread across the rim.
Hard vs. Soft Motorhome Spare Tire Covers
Soft covers are made from vinyl or cloth-like material, are usually UV resistant, and come in a range of sizes. Closures vary — zip, cinch, or slip-on. Since you won’t be accessing your spare often, the main priority is getting the right fit, so measure your tire before ordering.
Hard covers offer more protection against nicks and dings from rough roads. Typically made of plastic, with upgraded metal versions available, they provide a more rigid shield for your spare. Sizing is especially important here — most hard covers range from 27 to 40 inches.
Do They Work?
One experiment using RV Tire covers demonstrates the following:
Tire in shade: 85.1 degrees
Tire in full sun: 107.9 degrees
With white cover in sun: 98.6 degrees
Black tire in sun: 136.1 degrees
This experiment clearly shows that RV tire covers do provide protection from the sun. The rate of damage to sun and heat exposure doubles for each 16-degree F increase in temperature. Once the damage is done it can not be reversed.
How are RV Tire Covers Measured?
RV tire covers come in both single and double axle sizes. Since RV tires are different sizes, you’ll want to make sure you have covers that fit your particular type and size of tire. If you need to know how to measure for RV tire covers, look for the tire code on the sidewall of your RV tire and match it with the tire covers you want to purchase.
You can also measure your tire from tread to tread across the rim if you can’t find the tire code and use that to purchase your tire covers. If you can’t find tire covers to fit your wheels, it is also possible to have custom RV tire covers made to fit.
All RV owners should replace their RV tires approximately every 7 years, and sometimes sooner. Covering up with RV tire covers may extend the life of those tires. Why risk it? Protect those tires by covering them up.
