As the point of contact between the road surface and your motorhome driving along it, tyres are the very foundation of vehicle safety. Although highly durable, they’ll need replacing at regular intervals during the lifetime of your RV.
But which tyres should you choose for your motorhome when the original factory ones wear out?
In this blog, we discuss when to replace your motorhome tyres and what to consider when choosing new ones. We also highlight some essential tips about tyre codes, load indices, tyre load capacity and speed ratings — to help you select the appropriate tyres for your motorhome.
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Motorhome tyres are more durable than car tyres mainly because motorhomes need to carry significantly more weight than cars. A few important features to keep top of mind when replacing your motorhome tyres are the:
- Load rating — which must meet or exceed your motorhome’s maximum carry weight to avoid tyre failure and a potential accident
- Tread pattern — that provides dependable grip in a variety of conditions as RVs are often driven on different types of roads like motorways, rural lanes and even gravel roads
- Reinforced sidewall — which prevents too much flexing under heavy loads and improves handling and stability.
When to replace your motorhome tyres
The lifespan of motorhome tyres can vary significantly. Wear and tear depends on tyre usage, driving habits, load, tyre pressure, storage conditions, wheel alignment, road conditions and maintenance.
The signs to look out for, which clearly show it’s time to replace your motorhome tyres, are:
- Tread — the legal minimum tread depth for motorhome tyres in New Zealand is 1.5mm but replacing them when the depth reaches 3mm is recommended for optimal safety (motorhome tyres have 8 to 10mm of tread depth when new)
- Damage — your tyres’ structural integrity is compromised if you can see any cuts, cracks, bulges or punctures
- Wear — particularly uneven wear, which suggests an underlying problem such as misalignment, incorrect inflation or suspension issues
- Handling — if you experience instability, vibrations or less road grip while driving, it may be time for new tyres
- Age — even if your tyres seem fine, replacing them every five or six years is advisable as the rubber deteriorates over time, and age causes the tyre compounds to break apart.
If you’re unsure whether your motorhome tyres are showing any of these signs, organise to get them inspected by a tyre specialist like TyreTech or Carter’s Tyre Service.
What to consider when choosing new motorhome tyres
When it’s time to replace the tyres on your recreational vehicle, several key factors need to be considered to maintain safety and performance.
Tyre type
Motorhome tyres don’t come in a one-size-fits-all format. There are various types, each tailored to specific driving conditions and needs. To choose the right ones for your motorhome, think about your typical driving habits and most frequent driving routes.
Do you travel all year round or prefer visiting beach campsites in warmer weather or mountain hideaways when temperatures drop? Either way, you have options including:
- Summer tyres — for adventures during the hotter months as they prioritise grip and handling on dry roads
- Winter tyres — if you often encounter icy or snowy roads throughout colder times as they provide optimal safety and traction
- Four season tyres — also known as all season tyres as they offer a balanced performance in different weather conditions.
If you choose either summer or winter tyres, you may need to change them during the year. Take into account the additional time required and the cost of refitting an extra set of tyres.
Load index and speed rating
Load indices are numerical codes that tell you the maximum weight a tyre can safely carry when inflated to its maximum recommended pressure.
In contrast, a speed rating is an alphabetical code. It denotes the highest speed at which a tyre can perform safely under a specific load capacity.
When selecting new motorhome tyres, prioritise safety and compliance by choosing those with a load index and speed rating that align with, or even exceed, your motorhome manufacturer’s recommendations.
Tread pattern
Tread patterns may have been all about looks in those adolescent years of first cars and late nights. However, the various tread patterns on different tyres are specifically engineered for your motorhome to handle distinct driving terrain and conditions.
A couple of options you have are tyres with:
- Symmetrical tread patterns — a well-rounded performer in a variety of weather conditions, offering a balanced approach
- Asymmetrical tread patterns — which are designed to excel in wet road conditions as they provide superior traction and grip.
The most important thing is to choose a tread pattern that aligns with your typical driving scenarios and personal preferences for the best handling and performance.
Brand reputation
Established tyre manufacturers often invest heavily in research and development — so they can consistently push the boundaries of tyre technology. It’s a serious commitment to higher quality and performance. As a consumer, you enjoy a safer and more relaxed driving experience.
Be sure to look at motorhome tyres from well-respected brands with proven track records in the industry. Your investment in quality will pay off in the long run — with peace of mind and optimal performance on the road.
Like-for-like replacements
Buying a used motorhome may not come with the ideal tyres for your planned adventures. However, if you purchase a new motorhome with factory-fitted tyres, you may want to replace them like-for-like when the time comes.
Finding the equivalent motorhome tyres to replace your current ones is the way to ensure:
- Your recreational vehicle continues to drive and perform as you expect
- The speedometer gives you similar readings — as the rolling diameter of your new tyres will be identical to those replaced.
There may be times when you can’t source your motorhome’s original factory tyres. On other occasions, you may prefer more performance for specific driving applications — or you might just be ready for a change.
Before replacing your tyres, learn how to maintain the correct motorhome tyre pressure.
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The most popular motorhome tyres in New Zealand
A few tyre brands are consistently well-regarded for their durability, performance and effectiveness in New Zealand conditions.
French tyre manufacturer Michelin designed its Agilis Camping tyres specifically for motorhomes. These tyres promise outstanding stability, longevity and a comfortable ride.
German-made Continental developed its VancoCamper tyre to be extra stable for rear-heavy motorhomes. It also has added durability to handle the rough terrain around camping sites.
A well-known Italian brand in motorsport circles, Pirelli’s Carrier tyre has a reputation for exceptional traction, robust construction and the ability to cope with heavy loads.
The Taiwanese-made Maxxis MCV5 VanSmart is a well-rounded tyre that offers a blend of performance, longevity and value. It can handle heavy loads and provide a comfortable ride, making it a popular choice for vans and small trucks — and for us here at Wilderness. |
Tips for choosing the right motorhome tyres
We've compiled seven guidelines to help you find the most suitable replacement tyres for your motorhome.
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Most motorhomes built today are based on light commercial vehicles originally intended to be full-body vans or van cab chassis, eventually becoming light trucks.
When these light commercial vehicles are transformed into well-fitted motorhomes and campervans, their unladen weight, or tare, is often 3 to 3.5 tonnes. Once the payload is added, the absolute maximum the vehicle can weigh, the Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM), is usually in the region of 4.5 tonnes.
Therefore, it would be perilous to fit car tyres to a motorhome or campervan even though the usual 15 to 17 inch RV wheel sizes may suggest they’re suitable.
Find out about motorhome weight and payload in New Zealand.
Light commercial vehicles can weigh up to six tonnes when fully laden. The tyres fitted to them are designed to support a mass three times that of the average car — while still achieving high standards of durability and road holding.
Paul Owen — Award-winning motoring journalist
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Tyres designed for light commercial vehicle use are identified by the code found just after the wheel rim diameter in the size description moulded into the tyre sidewall. This code will show either:
- C for commercial — indicating a standard light commercial tyre that’s ideal for vans and pick-up trucks
- CP for camping pneu — translating to camping tyre, this code denotes a commercial vehicle tyre that’s designed and optimised for the unique demands of motorhome use, such as higher load capacity.
The critical difference between C and CP tyres is their intended application. Tyres coded CP are usually meant for fitment to single-wheel axles, while C coded tyres can be used on motorhomes with either single-wheel rear axles or double-wheel axles.
A 215/70 light commercial tyre made for a 16 inch wheel will display 215/70 R 16 CP on the sidewall. This will be followed by the load index and the speed rating figures.
Paul Owen
Both C and CP tyres are suitable for motorhome use in general and your choice may depend on a few factors.
Pros of C tyres
Commercial tyres coded C are more widely available and affordable than CP tyres. Two load indices are displayed on C-coded tyres, of which:
- The first shows the maximum weight that the tyre can carry when used on a single-wheel axle
- The second shows the weight the tyre can hold when used alongside another tyre on a double-wheel axle.
The lower figure of this second index is due to the load being distributed across four tyres instead of two.
Advantages of CP tyres
Tyres coded CP should offer better comfort, stability and load-carrying capacity than C tyres — particularly for single-wheel rear motorhomes.
CP-coded tyres can also sometimes display two load indices. However, CP tyres aren’t usually recommended for double-wheel rear motorhomes.
Discover the benefits of front wheel drive over rear wheel drive motorhomes.
Deciding on the right tyre
Begin by checking your RV manual to see what’s recommended, then also consider your:
- Usual load — if it’s on the heavy side, CP tyres may be best for their higher load capacity
- Driving habits — C tyres may be suitable if you mainly plan to take short journeys in your motorhome, whereas CP tyres may be preferable for more comfortable, longer adventures
- Frequency of use — CP tyres are considered slightly stiffer than C tyres, which may make them more durable over time if your motorhome spends months in storage.
If you need help with the right tyre type for your motorhome, consult your tyre specialist.
- C for commercial — indicating a standard light commercial tyre that’s ideal for vans and pick-up trucks
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Tyres marked with RF or XL codes have been designed for heavier loads. However, they weren’t created for motorhomes and are, in fact, modified car tyres intended for passenger vehicles that often tow heavy trailers.
The meanings of these two codes are:
- Reinforced (RF) — this tyre is reinforced with additional layers in the sidewall, making it stronger and more resistant to damage and punctures
- Extra load (XL) — this tyre can carry a greater maximum load than a standard tyre of the same size due to its more robust internal construction.
Light commercial vehicle fleet managers tend to avoid RF and XL tyres because they lack the durability and reliability of C and CP-coded ones. This is especially the case when travelling on bumpier roads and unsealed surfaces.
Paul Owen
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Choosing new motorhome tyres with the correct load index is critical for a few reasons.
Safety
Imagine that the load index is your tyre’s weightlifting limit. If it has to carry more than this maximum, you risk tyre failure via a potential blowout — likely leading to an accident.
When considering this scenario, it’s evident that choosing motorhome tyres with a sufficient load index isn’t only about compliance but is also imperative for keeping yourself and others safe on the road.
Performance
Motorhome tyres with the correct load index are the foundation of a safe and enjoyable road trip. They help guarantee optimal handling, stability and responsive braking — essential elements for navigating varied road conditions.
Overloading your tyres compromises these crucial performance aspects by:
- Making your motorhome more difficult to control, and
- Increasing the distance you need to stop safely.
For a secure and confident driving experience where your recreational vehicle performs as expected, select tyres with a load index that matches or exceeds your motorhome’s Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM).
Tyre longevity
Overburdening your RV tyres is like overworking your calf muscles — eventually leading to a premature breakdown. Wear and tear are accelerated, which can drastically shorten the lifespan of your motorhome tyres.
Investing in tyres with an appropriate load index gives them a sustainable workload so they can perform optimally and endure for a longer time. This enhances safety and is a financially savvy choice because you won't have to replace your tyres as often.
Fuel Efficiency
Have you ever tried pushing a heavy object over a coarse surface? It requires more energy and effort than moving something lighter.
A similar principle applies to your motorhome’s tyres, whereby you encounter increased rolling resistance if they’re overloaded — and they need more fuel to propel your vehicle forward.
Using tyres with the correct load index will help optimise fuel efficiency, keep more dollars in your pocket and reduce your environmental impact.
Compliance
Driving a motorhome with tyres that don’t meet its minimum load index is illegal, so be sure to choose correctly — to comply with the law and avoid fines.
According to the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), all tyres on a vehicle must have a load index that meets or exceeds the maximum axle load for that vehicle.
Learn how to monitor your motorhome while on the road.
The tyre size, wheel rim size and coding on the sidewall will be followed by a number and a letter, such as 113R. The number is the load index, while the letter is the maximum speed rating of the tyre.
In this example, the load index indicates that the tyre can safely carry 1150kg of mass — while the R states that the vehicle must not exceed 170km/h. Therefore, it’s a wise choice for a four-wheeled motorhome with a loaded weight of 4200kg.
Paul Owen
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It’s wise to avoid continuous operation at the maximum load capacity of your tyres. Over the years, surveys have shown that the potential for unwittingly overloading a motorhome or poorly distributing the weight inside it is high.
Loading your motorhome to around 90% of your tyres’ maximum load capacity is advisable for:
- Maintaining a safety margin — as a buffer in cases of uneven weight distribution, sudden braking or manoeuvring on challenging terrain
- Extending the lifespan of your tyres — by reducing how quickly they obtain wear and tear, ultimately saving you money over the long term
- Enjoying a more comfortable ride — avoiding the harsher and less stable motorhome driving experienced on tyres at their maximum load capacity, especially when cornering and on bumpy roads.
To safeguard against overloading your motorhome tyres, the tyre industry recommends that the maximum load on an axle not exceed 90% of the tyre load capacity — as indicated by the tyre’s load index.
Paul Owen
The higher the number on the index, the greater the tyre’s load capacity. However, it’s a sliding scale whereby each rise in the load index number represents a:
- 20kg increase in tyre load capacity on a single wheel — at the lower end of the index from numbers 92 to 98
- 25kg step — with each numerical increase between 99 and 108
- 30kg increase — from numbers 109 to 114.
At the top of the scale, each index number rise represents a 50kg increase in maximum tyre load capacity, with 120 on the index showing the tyre can carry 1400kg.
Load index
This table shows the maximum load in kg per single tyre.
Load index
Kg
Load index
Kg
Load index
Kg
Load index
Kg
91
615
100
800
109
1030
118
1320
92
630
101
825
110
1060
119
1360
93
650
102
850
111
1090
120
1400
94
670
103
875
112
1120
121
1450
95
690
104
900
113
1150
122
1500
96
710
105
925
114
1180
123
1550
97
730
106
950
115
1215
124
1600
98
750
107
975
116
1250
125
1650
99
775
108
1000
117
1285
126
1700
Learn about other aspects of motorhome safety in our blog on how to safely use LPG.
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Choosing tyres with higher speed ratings will give you extra safety, performance and peace of mind while travelling on the open road.
These tyres are designed to handle increased speed and heat. As with the tyre load capacity, it’s a false economy to fit tyres with lower speed ratings.
You may never travel at the 170km/h maximum of your R-rated tyre. Still, it will inspire your confidence to know that your motorhome’s rubber is built to be capable of such velocity — without the danger of overheating and blowing out.
Tyre speed ratings suitable for open road use start at J, which must never exceed 100km/h. From here, they progress in 10km/h increments up to Y and a 300km/h limit.
Tyre speed
This table shows the maximum speed in km/h of each tyre speed symbol
Speed symbol
Maximum speed
Speed symbol
Maximum speed
J
100
S
180
K
110
T
190
L
120
U
200
M
130
H
210
N
140
V
240
P
150
Z
over 240*
Q
160
W
270
R
170
Y
300
*Indicates a tyre capable of speeds over 240 km/h — but the exact maximum speed isn’t specified.
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If you’re replacing your motorhome’s factory tyres, you’ll have gained plenty of knowledge about how those tyres performed while travelling thousands of kilometres in different driving conditions.
Were there times when you got stuck after overnight rainfall turned the campsite ground soggy? Did you drive over icy roads in winter? Will you only use your motorhome in warm conditions in the future?
A different set of tyres may be a better choice than your originals because they will have been tuned to perform better in certain situations.
Paul Owen
Taking just one tyre manufacturer’s light commercial vehicle range as an example shows how you can best tailor your choice of motorhome rubber to your preferred driving conditions.
Michelin Agilis tyre range
This range, designed for light commercial vehicles, comes in three model lines that offer different constructions and tread patterns. These models are the:
- Agilis 3 — a summer tyre mainly used for daily urban needs that was created with a focus on longevity, safety and fuel efficiency
- Agilis CrossClimate — an all-season tyre that maintains its grip in moderate snowfall, through mud puddles and on gravel roads, thanks to side lugs in the tread pattern
- Agilis Alpin — a winter tyre built for safety and mobility, the Alpin performs better than the 3 or the CrossClimate whenever the ambient air temperature drops below seven degrees Celsius.
Many tyre brands provide various motorhome tyres within their product lines, allowing you to select based on your specific driving needs and preferences.
Whether you’re considering Michelin’s Agilis options or another brand’s range of tyres, the best choice will depend on what you need to navigate your usual driving conditions. If you understand the strengths and weaknesses of each tyre in a manufacturer’s range, you’ll be better informed to make the right decision.
Find out how to prepare your motorhome for a winter road trip.
- Agilis 3 — a summer tyre mainly used for daily urban needs that was created with a focus on longevity, safety and fuel efficiency
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Enhance your RV tyre knowledge further by learning how to maintain the correct motorhome tyre pressure. |
