Motorhome tyre safety

Even if your motorhome doesn’t do a particularly high annual mileage, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t carry out regular checks on its tyres, including the spare (if you carry one) – looking out especially for any signs of under- or over-inflation, visual reassurance that pressures are correct, cracks on sidewalls (even hairline cracks can develop into something worse) and any tread wear, plus one-off anomalies such as bulges or splits.

A recent report highlighted nearly half of all breakdowns on the UK’s roads (including motorways) over a three-year period were caused by tyre-related issues. And the BTMA (British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association) points out that some 17% of MoT test failures are tyre-related, adding: “Improved tyre stewardship would bring significant improvement to both the environmental impact of mobility and road safety.”

Tyre symbols

Source: British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association

Your motorhome manual should carry details of the correct size, load and speed rating for tyres for your specific vehicle. If you can’t find this information, contact the manufacturer direct, or your supplying dealer.

Try and get into the habit of checking your motorhome tyres at least once a month.

Meanwhile, if you think new motorhome tyres are expensive, consider that not complying with UK regulations can mean a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre, not to mention the potential cost of human life if your old tyres fail.

Make a PACT for motorhome tyre safety

Pressure points

Running your motorhome at the correct tyre pressures is crucial, too.

Under-inflation will result in poorer fuel economy as well as often being the direct cause of a full-scale blowout.

If you over-inflate your motorhome tyres, you create a stiffer sidewall for the trye, which could manifest itself into a harsher ride than you’re used to. An over-inflated tyre will also wear quicker as well as offering less grip.

Again, the BTMA points out: “Surveys show repeatedly that 25% of vehicles have at least one tyre 25% under-inflated. Over 600,000 tyres and 1.5 million tonnes of CO₂ are wasted in the UK every year due to tyre under-inflation.”

Source: Tyresafe

You may also want to vary the tyre pressures depending on changes in the loads you are carrying. Tyresafe even have a handy motorhome tyre pressure calculator here.

Always check pressures when your tyres are cold.

Age matters

There are no fixed laws here but – as a general rule – it is worth having your motorhome tyres changed every five years.

But you also need to keep a close eye on your tyres if your motorhome or campervan is standing still for long periods, including over winter.

Carry that load

Loading your motorhome correctly, including how you distribute weight, is also key to your tyres performing to their best.

Tyres claiming to be for motorhomes do take this into account, often having sturdier sidewalls, which also give more rigidity and better handling.

Note also, if you exceed your motorhome’s payload capacity and/or MTPLM (maximum weight), your motorhome insurance could be void in the event of a claim.

Tread carefully

Your motorhome tyres must have at least 1.6mm of tread across the central three-quarters of the tyre and all around its circumference. Typically, anything less than 3mm is when you should be considering a new tyre.

A common way of checking you have sufficient depth is with a 20p piece. Insert the coin into the tyre’s tread (ideally, at least three different places per tyre) and – if the outer edge of the coin disappears your tyre is OK. If you can see the raised edge of the coin, replace the tyre immediately.

Source: Tyresafe

Why we need to torque

One other key aspect of motorhome tyre safety is that the wheel nuts are tightened to the correct torque. For this you’re going to need a torque wrench.

Fitting a set of wheel bolt indicators will give an instant indication if any of the nuts are working loose and they’re pretty cheap too. You might even want to consider locking wheel bolt heads.

Motorhome tyre safety devices

Other motorhome tyre safety fittings that you might like to consider adding (if you don’t already have them) include TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring systems) and Tyron Safety Bands.

TPMS have been fitted as standard on all cars and light vans registered since 2014, but brands such as TyrePal offer kits for retrofitting on to your motorhome or campervan.

See our tyre pressure monitoring systems gear guide.

Tyron’s Mulitbands have been around for more than 20 years, and are used on a variety of vehicles where safety is absolutely paramount, including ambulances etc. They act to prevent a tyre running completely flat in the event of a total blow-out.

For both of these motorhome tyre safety devices, Caravan Guard offers a small discount on your annual motorhome insurance. Just call for more information.

Other top motorhome tyre safety tips

• Check out brands that offer motorhome-specific tyres. Generally, those that carry a CP marking are suitable for motorhomes and those marked C can be used on van conversions and campervans.
• Consider having different tyres for different seasons. This is already considered normal in many European countries, where it’s a legal requirement to use winter tyres in the snow, for example. Check before your travel.
• If you carry a spare motorhome wheel, do make sure its tyre is compatible with the other tyres you’re already using. And make sure it is always correctly inflated to the right pressure.
• If your motorhome is going to sit around for extended periods, do consider proprietary covers. These will protect your tyres from damage – such as cracking of the sidewalls that can lead to water ingress – caused by the sun’s rays, for example – as well as any unwanted chemicals.

Useful contacts

BTMA (British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association) is a UK body representing tyre manufacturers and retreaders: www.btmauk.com

Tyresafe is a UK charity set up to raise awareness of tyre-related issue.

Over to you…

Got any advice on motorhome tyre safety you’d like to pass on to fellow Caravan Guard policyholders? Please feel free to add a comment below.