When picking out your new travel trailer, you may not give too much thought to the tires. We often look at the exciting features of the vehicle and allow the basic factors such as tires to go unnoticed. However tempting it may be to overlook this simple detail, travel trailer tires have many qualities and options that you should be aware of. For the sake of convenience, this is an all-encompassing guide to travel trailer tires. So, what are the important things to consider when choosing or maintaining the tires of your travel trailer?
How much do Travel Trailer Tires cost? Travel trailer tires cost between $70 and $150 each depending on the size, quality, type, and brand. It is better to find a tire with a good warranty and a good brand backing it up than a cheap tire that is not well reviewed. Top trailer tire brands are Goodyear, Michelin, and more.
When deciding on tires for your travel trailer, it is important to consider the different types. Size, maximum weight, and load rating are all vital qualities to consider as well. Knowing these, among other factors, will help ensure that you choose the best tires for your vehicle and avoid tire-associated issues in the future.
The cost of travel trailer tires is determined by all of the items below. For some examples, here is a look into tires for 4 different trailers.
Keystone Bullett 243BHS
Keystone uses ST205/75/R14 Tires
Tire | Price |
Goodyear Endurance | $118.99 |
Power King Towmax STR II Load C | $68.07 |
Power King Towmax STR II Load D | $71.57 |
Rockwood Mini Lite 2109S
Rockwood Uses ST205/75R15 Tires
Tire | Price |
Goodyear Endurance | $122.99 |
Power King Towmax STR II Load C | $72. 36 |
Power King Towmax STR II Load D | $76.60 |
Airstream Flying Cloud 30
Airstream uses a LT225/75R15 Tire
Tire | Price |
Hankook Dynapro HTRh22 | $145.95 |
Goodyear Endurance | $130.12 |
The most common types of tires for your travel trailer are Special Trailer tires and Light Truck tires. Many people have strong opinions on which types of tires are best for travel trailers, but the best choice for you will depend on a number of factors. Let’s take a look at each of these types of tires and their unique qualities.
Special Trailer (ST) Tires:ST tires are designed for carrying heavy loads, maintaining stiffer sidewalls, and dissipating the heat that builds within the tire. You can determine whether or not a tire is an ST tire by checking for the letters ‘ST’ located on the sidewall in front of the size number of the tire. Here are a few of the qualities that make ST tires a good option to consider:
LT tires are designed to maintain consistent traction during the breaking, accelerating, cornering, and backing processes. You can determine whether or not a tire is an LT tire by checking for the letters ‘LT’ located on the sidewall in front of the size number of the tire. Here are a few of the advantages of LT tires:
Finding the right travel trailer tires for your vehicle will depend on several factors. Below we will take a look at the most important things to consider when making this decision.
Size: It is important to weigh your trailer in order to determine the tires you need. Find a location to weigh your RV at its maximum weight, that is, with all equipment and gear loaded in the trailer. Once you get this number, you will be able to accurately assess the load range required for your trailer.
Maximum Weight and Load Rating: The load range of your tires will be indicated by a letter rating. On ST tires, these letters are usually B, C, or D, while on LT tires, these letters will be D or E. The further the letter is in the alphabet, the higher the maximum weight will be for that particular tire. It is important to remember that this rating must align well with your trailer weight as well as the axle ratings for your trailer.
Strength of the Sidewall: As previously mentioned, the sidewalls of LT tires are more flexible, which allows for shock absorption and a more comfortable ride. The cabinets, and other equipment in your trailer will thank you for the softer ride. ST tire sidewalls are stiffer, which allows for reduced trailer sway and the ability to carry a larger load. For this reason, travel trailer owners often recommend ST tires over LT tires.
Ride Quality: Ride quality is important to consider when choosing tires for your travel trailer. You may be inclined to focus on the quality and durability of your tires, but ride quality can significantly impact how bumpy or smooth your travels will be. Check the reviews of certain tires and ask a professional to help you determine the best combination of quality, suitability for your trailer, and ride comfort for smooth travels.
Tread Pattern: The tread pattern on your travel trailer tires can help the tires dig deeper into the ground for better traction, especially when traveling on terrain other than a paved road. A deeper tread helps ensure a safer journey and a more comfortable ride. This is why worn tires with reduced tread will eventually need to be replaced.
See a Professional to help: Even though you know all of the factors to consider when purchasing tires, it is always a good idea to seek professional advice when making this decision. Getting a second opinion can help you catch factors you may have overlooked and make sure you end up with the best, safest tires for your vehicle.
What causes travel trailer tire failure?Travel trailer tire failure is, unfortunately, a common issue with these vehicles. It is important to know the common risk factors so you can avoid cracks, blowouts, and other reasons for losing perfectly good tires prematurely. Consider the following issues so that you can ensure that you get the longest life out of your tires and avoid inconvenience on the road.
Improper inflation: Over or under-inflation can both prevent you from getting the longest possible use out of your travel trailer tires. If the tire pressure is low, heat buildup in the tire can lead to a blowout. If the tire is over-inflated, the tread can wear down faster than normal, preventing you from getting the maximum use out of your tires. You can buy a kit to check the inflation of your tires at home, so preventing this issue is simple, yet extremely necessary.
Cheap Tires: Unfortunately, companies often like to cut costs and may stock cheaper versions of their tires. Tires made in China have a particularly negative reputation for making false claims and blowing out prematurely. It is worth investing in quality tires to avoid tire failure.
That being said, manufacturers of any tire are required to pass certain road-tests in order to sell their tires. No company wants to sell tires that don’t pass regulations, because they would then be required to recall the product, resulting in a loss of income for the company. If you do your research and make sure your tires have passed all the regulatory road-tests, you should be able to avoid failure due to lower-quality products.
Damaged due to cracking: Weather and other elements such as air quality and ozone levels can cause your tires to wear out over time. This process may eventually result in cracks. You may notice small lines or flaking beginning to develop on your tires, or you may even have more severe damage due to cracking. You should have any severe cracks inspected. Make sure not to drive on them until a professional has ensured that they are safe to take on the road.
Overloading: Overloading your travel trailer tires is another factor that can generate excess heat buildup in your tires. Excess heat in tires is one of the biggest causes of travel trailer tire failure, so it is important to avoid this at all costs. Knowing the weight limit of your trailer and ensuring you never exceed it will help you prevent any damage due to overloading.
Unbalanced: This isn’t as crucial as it is with the typical car, but getting the tires balanced on your travel trailer is an effective way to prevent failure. Balancing your tires slows the wearing process and reduces heat buildup inside the tire. This is a smart way to increase the lifespan of your tires and stay safe on the road. To learn more about balancing your tires, read our guide here.
Incorrect Alignment: Incorrect alignment can also speed up the wearing process of your travel trailer tires, add to heat buildup, and lead to some tires wearing out before others. Make sure your tires are properly aligned to maximize the lifetime of your tires and avoid tire failure.
Uneven weight distribution: Uneven weight distribution on your tires can cause the tires to wear unevenly, cause excessive heat buildup in certain tires, and even lead to premature tire failure. It is a good idea to make sure the weight is distributed evenly across your travel trailer to prevent this common cause of tire failure.
Factors that determine the cost of travel trailer tiresThe cost of your travel trailer tires will depend on a number of factors, as well. It is worth weighing the important qualities of your tires, as well as the potential failure factors, against the cost in order to ensure you make the best decision for your vehicle. Below we will take a look at a few factors that determine the cost, so you can include them in your decision-making process.
Brand: Certain brands have better reputations within the travel trailer tire market than others. Brands like Goodyear, Michelin, Road Warrior, and Bridgestone may cost more than other tires, but the brand dependability may be worth it. It’s a good idea to speak with a professional to weigh the quality versus the cost of these tires to determine if it is worth the additional cost of certain brands.
Size: Bigger tires will usually cost more than smaller, lighter models. The size of the tires you need will depend on the size of your travel trailer, so choosing the right size is an important investment to make when choosing travel trailer tires.
Load Rating: Tires with a higher load rating will also frequently have a higher price. Determining the load rating your travel trailer requires is another way to maximize the life of the tires, so purchasing tires with the appropriate load rating is a great investment for ensuring you get the most out of your tires.
Conclusion
Although travel trailer tires may be one of the least exciting parts of these vehicles, they are crucial to consider, research, and maintain in order to ensure a safe and fun travel experience for you and your camping partners. There are many factors to consider when deciding on tires for your travel trailer, and they are all worth thoroughly researching prior to purchase. A bit of research, professional help, and user maintenance can go a long way to ensure you get the maximum use out of your tires and stay safe on the road.
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Read the Writing on the Sidewall
You spent a pretty penny on your RV, so odds are you know that number like the back of your hand. Consider this—there are only four to six tires keeping that monstrous investment from sliding on a curve in rainy weather and ending up stuck on the roadside. So, don’t skimp. Good tires cost money, but great tires cost lots of money.
How do you know when you need new RV tires? No need to spend the money if you don’t really need to, right? Especially if you haven’t been traveling a lot in your RV. The thing is, sometimes a tire can wear out just by sitting in the sun. The first thing you should do is check for stress cracks in the sidewall. If one of your tires has cracks, it’s safe to say your other tires are probably in the same condition.
Manufacturers recommend replacing tires older than seven years, even if you haven’t put many miles on them. If you bought your RV new, you can be fairly sure the tires are new, too. But if you bought it used, then who’s to say how old the tires are? Well, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
There’s a DOT number on every tire that can tell you almost exactly how old the tire is. And by exactly, we mean down to the very week it was pressed. The DOT number is a four-digit number on the sidewall of your tire. It always starts with the letters DOT and ends with a three- or four-digit number. That number is your key. The last two digits are the year your tire was made. The first two digits (or one digit) are the week of that year. So, if the last four digits read 1214, the tire was made in the 12th week of 2014.
Sometimes it’s not age that wears out a tire, but usage. If you travel often with your RV, check the tread wear at least every 90 days. Just use the simple coin test. Grab a quarter or penny and stick it in the grooves of your tires. The coin should stand straight up. If it can’t, the treads are too worn down to continue driving. Also, most tires have wear bars that indicate when the tires need to be replaced.
Get classy about your RV tires.If you drive a class A, B, or C rig, the tires you need are different than if you tow a travel trailer. For travel trailers, you’ll need special trailer (ST) tires. For class A, B, and C mobile homes, look to buy light truck (LT) tires.
ST tires are specially built to handle the extra weight of a travel trailer. These tires have a stronger sidewall than other car or truck tires.
LT tires are made for vehicles that weigh significantly more than a small (3/4-ton) pickup truck. As we mentioned, these tires are made for class A, B, and C rigs. Costs can vary per class because of weight differences, and heftier RVs are going to need beefier tires.
Radial tires have steel belts that run at a 90-degree angle. This allows them to get better traction and increased stability. The flexible sidewall enables less rolling resistance, giving these tires extended life and reduced fuel consumption.
Bias tires are less expensive because they have nylon belts that run at a 30- to 45-degree angle. Their sidewalls are stronger, and they can handle more significant weight loads than radial tires, but they don’t last as long.
If you ask us, bias tires should only be used by RV owners with fifth-wheel or travel trailers. Even in that case, they are only for RV owners who take short trips on rough back roads—not long highway hauls.
The average cost of RV tires.Now that you know more about what makes one tire different than another, let’s review prices for each class (A, B, and C) as well as prices for travel trailer tires.
Class AThe average cost for a class A tire is $226.
The average cost for a class B tire is $276.
The average cost for a class C tire is $110.
The average cost for a travel trailer tire is $164.
Keep in mind that these costs were found online. The price you pay in a store like Walmart, Discount Tire, or Camping World will probably vary.
Time for a cover-up.Given that RV tires are built to be much stronger than the tires you put on the family car, they’re going to be a little pricier. If you’re going to spend all that money, you need to take the proper steps to take care of them.
First, keep an eye on the tire pressure. Overinflated tires will wear out sooner. As you travel down the road, heat builds up in your tires and tire pressure increases. Keep a good digital tire gauge in your glove box and check the tires each time you stop for fuel.
Second, get yourself some tire covers. Yes, tire covers. This might sound a little overboard, but covers are an easy way to protect your expensive tires from the heat, cold, and sun. They can be found online for just $20 to $30.
Finally, if you’re not going to use your RV for an extended period (like when you store it for the winter), put your RV up and remove the tires completely. Be sure to store your tires in an indoor environment with no air currents or direct sunlight. The space should also be dry, cool, and clean with no grease, oil, or wetness.
Now that you’re up to speed on what RV tires cost, check out Togo RV’s Tire Buying Guide. It has everything you could possibly want to know about tire safety, wear and tear signs, proper tire pressure, cost, and replacement.
Tire 560/60-22.5 Alliance on a tractor trailer
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Selkhoz. tires 9.00-16 (240-406) Rosava F-277, 10 ns.
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"TOP SELLER" online store
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1 500 UAH
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tires 9.00-16 (240-406) Rosava F-277, 14 ns.
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8 200 UAH
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600/50-22.5 Petlas IMF-18 165A8/161B 16PR TL
Delivery from Kyiv
23 690 UAH
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LLC "Dneproshina"
Shina 4.00-12 (Zubr) L-835 (303790)
Delivery in Ukraine
1 282-1 570 UAH
from 3 sellers
1 282 UAH
Motorul
Trailer tire with chamber 20x10-8 (HS-2T trailer) 9Ol000
LEVCOM
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867-1,142 UAH
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PP Mototechnika
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2 600 UAH
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TOV "TRAK-AZ-ZAPCHASTINA"
9002 -277 14 sl 136А6 (BtsShZ)Delivery across Ukraine
9 800 UAH
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TOV "TRAK-AZ-ZAPCHASTINA"
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Tire 18.4-26 (460/85-26, 480/80-26) Power Lug R-4 12 sl 156A8 Tubeless (SpeedWays)
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UAH 27,000
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Tire 18.4-26 (460/85-26, 480/80-26) Power Lug R-4 16 sl 159A8 Tubeless (SpeedWays)
27 500 UAH
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TOV "TRAK-AZ-ZAPCHASTINA"
Wiring for a tractor trailer 2-axle 5m 9Ol000
Wire & autowiring internet-shop of wiring
Tire 7. 60-15 Advance for trailed agricultural machinery
Custom order
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Spetsshina Ukraine, TOV
Emphasis (mounts on the frame) under the platform, tractor trailer springs 2pts-4.
In a warehouse in Zaporozhye
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400 UAH
388 UAH
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FOP Tkachenko Oleg Valerievich
PROPRODUCATION (TRU) for tractor trailer
in Ukraine
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800-1 546 UAH
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Technodom online store
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Artshars-steel balls and rollers for bearings
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With the existing variety of MZSA trailer models, the trailer wheel size may vary depending on the specific design, its purpose and weight. More powerful and heavier versions of towed vehicles are equipped with larger diameter wheels.
The most common MZSA trailer wheels, size R13, are fitted to most single-axle trailer models for cars. And also on many versions of two-axle towed platforms.
For example, trailer МЗСА 817731.012, having two axles, gross weight index 750 kg, load value on each axle 750 kg, ground clearance 234 mm, equipped with R13 wheels.
A MZSA 832132.201 - a more powerful model of a two-axle trailer equipped with its own brake system, with a gross weight of 2.5 tons and a load on both axles of 1.5 tons, with a ground clearance of 269mm has R14C wheels.
What do these marks on tires mean: R13, R14 or R14C? It is clear that all this is somehow connected with the size of the wheels of the trailer or car. A common mistake that beginners stumble over is assuming that the letter R indicates the radius of a car wheel. This is by no means the case.
Letter R refers to the design of tires, which are radial and diagonal. The first option means that the cord fibers are perpendicular to the wheel circumference. The second version provides that the cord threads are overlapped.
Radial tires have become the most popular because they provide better grip, last longer and require less wheel replacement.
But the numbers 13 and 14 in the designations R13 and R14 (it can also be 15, 16, and so on) really indicate the diameter (not the radius!) of the wheel in inches. We are talking about the diameter of the wheel or the inner diameter of the tire. If indicators in the metric system are needed, then we multiply these numbers by 2.54, we get the wheel size in centimeters (R13 - 13 inches or 33.02 cm, R14 - 14 inches or 35.56 cm).
What is the difference between R14 and R14C wheels? Letter C does not speak about the size of the wheels of a trailer or car, but about the purpose of these tires, made mainly for trucks and trailers for them. That is, these wheels are able to regularly withstand heavy loads.