Choosing The Best Caravan Tyres

Caravanning is a popular way to explore the world and experience new adventures on the open road. But one thing that can make or break your caravan journey is the condition of your tyres. Choosing the right caravan tyres is essential for your safety and the longevity of your caravan. With so many options available, knowing which tyres are best for your needs can be overwhelming.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the factors you should consider when choosing the best caravan tyres, as well as the different types of tyres available on the market. We’ll also take a closer look at the shelf-life of tyres and how you can maintain and store your tyres for the best possible results.

What to Consider When Choosing Caravan Tyres

There are many things to consider when choosing caravan tyres, including the type of tyre, load capacity and speed rating. Choosing the wrong tyres for your caravan can significantly reduce the life cycle of your tyres and increase your chance of a blowout while driving. Below we’ll explore each deciding factor before discussing the three key tyre types available.

Caravan Tyre Ratings

The best way to compare tyres is through tyre ratings. You can find these ratings on the sidewall of the tyre. The sidewall contains essential information on your tyre, including the diameter, width, construction and rim diameter; however, the most important figures you’ll need to identify when comparing tyres are the speed and load ratings. Read on to learn more about each of these ratings.

Tyre Load Rating

The most important rating to compare is the load rating. The load rating, or the load index, refers to the weight your tyre can carry while operating at maximum speed. You can find the load rating at the end of the markings on your tyre’s sidewall. You can also find the load rating in the owner’s manual or tyre placard, located in the glove box, door jamb on the driver’s side and inside the fuel cap.

The load rating must meet or exceed the vehicle’s Gross Trailer Mass (GTM). The GTM is the total weight of your caravan when hitched. So, for example, if your GTM is 2000kg, your load rating will need to be a minimum of 84 for a tandem-axle caravan, which equates to a 500kg load rating for each tyre. For the same GTM on a single-axle caravan, you would need tyres with a minimum load rating of 108, with each tyre rated at 1000kg allowable weight. If you’d like to learn more about finding your GTM, check out our caravan towing guide.

Below is a table of each load rating and the kg per tyre for each:

Load rating	kg per tyre	Load rating	kg per tyre	Load rating	kg per tyre	Load rating	kg per tyre	Load rating	kg per tyre
62	265	75	387	88	560	101	825	114	1180
63	272	76	400	89	580	102	850	115	1215
64	280	77	412	90	600	103	875	116	1250
65	290	78	425	91	615	104	900	117	1285
66	300	79	437	92	630	105	925	118	1320
67	307	80	450	93	650	106	950	119	1360
68	315	81	462	94	670	107	975	120	1400
69	325	82	475	95	690	108	1000	121	1450
70	335	83	487	96	710	109	1030	122	1500
71	345	84	500	97	730	110	1060	123	1550
72	355	85	515	98	750	111	1090	124	1600
73	365	86	530	99	775	112	1120	125	1650
74	375	87	545	100	800	113	1150	126	1700

Tyre Speed Rating

The speed rating can be found after the load rating and is written as a single letter. Speed ratings indicate the maximum speed at which the tyre can carry a specified load. For example, a tyre with a load and speed rating of 91W can hold a maximum load of 615kg at 270km/h.

Speed Rating	Maximum Speed
J	62 mph	100 km/h
K	68 mph	110 km/h
L	75 mph	120 km/h
M	81 mph	130 km/h
N	87 mph	140 km/h
Q	99 mph	160 km/h
R	106 mph	170 km/h
S	112 mph	180 km/h
T	118 mph	190 km/h
U	124 mph	200 km/h
H	130 mph	210 km/h
V	149 mph	240 km/h
Z	149+ mph	240+ km/h
W	168 mph	270 km/h
Y	186 mph	300 km/h

Tyre Sizes

You can find the tyre size on the sidewall at the very start. The size is written in the following format: “LT250/60”. The letter/s at the beginning indicates the construction type, with LT standing for light truck.

The 3-digit number after this is the tyre width in millimetres, so in this case, the tyre is 250mm wide. The number after the slash symbol is the tyre’s height as a percentage of the width. This means that the height is 60% of 250mm.

The best way to find the recommended tyre size for your vehicle is by using the owner’s manual or VIN plate. On caravans, the VIN plate gives all the tire information.

Reading Caravan Tyre Pressure

In addition to the recommended size, a tyre placard will show the recommended tyre pressure. You can also find this information on the tyre’s sidewall; however, it’s essential to constantly remeasure and adjust tyre pressure to account for the load you’re carrying and the towing conditions. Having the incorrect tyre pressure can cause rapid deflation and tread wear. In the instance of deflating tyres, please ensure you have an adequate pump on board to reinflate.

Some standard guidelines for tyre pressure include:

• • Drop tyre pressure to 25psi when touring on outback roads to reduce the chance of punctures.
  • Check your tread pattern to determine if your tyre pressure is correct. If it is low, the shoulders of your tyres will wear unevenly. If it’s too high, the centre will wear too quickly.
  • Adjust your pressure to match weather conditions. Reduce air pressure when driving in cold, wet conditions to increase grip. Increase your air pressure during summer to reduce extra heat intake.
  • Always check your tyre pressure when cold.
  • Tyre pressure should only rise from cold to hot by around 5 to 6psi. If your tyres are higher than this after driving 50 to 100km, you have too little air pressure in your tyre. If your tyre pressure is less than this after 50 to 100km, you have likely over-inflated your tyres.

You can check your tyre pressure at most service stations or by using a pneumatic/mechanical gauge. We offer numerous tyre pressure monitoring systems at Canterbury Caravans, which can be purchased at our Bayswater dealership.

Types of Caravan Tyres

There are three caravan tyre types: highway-terrain (H/T), all-terrain (A/T) and mud-terrain (M/T). There are also two key construction types for caravan tyres: commercial and light truck.

Light truck tyres (LT) are highly puncture resistance and designed to have a high load rating. These tyres are suited to uneven surfaces or rockier terrain. However, while these tyres are much stronger than standard passenger vehicle tyres, they are not designed for major loads.

Commercial caravan tyres (C) are designed for incredible pressure and can travel for extended periods without replacement. These tyres are often used for trucks, buses, mining, and other large heavy-duty vehicles.

LT and C-tyres are both suitable for a caravan. Understanding the different types of caravan tyres is crucial for your safety and enjoyment on the road. Compare the three caravan tyre types below as we look at what defines each type of tyre and what situations they are designed for.

Highway-terrain tyres

Highway-terrain tyres (H/T) are designed for sealed and paved roads and are quiet, affordable, and economical. These tyres have a tread pattern similar to car tyres and are designed for optimal on-road traction. In addition to their traditional tread pattern, these tyres are identifiable through their high-speed rating and light sidewall construction. H/T tyres are a popular solution for city dwellers and are unsuitable for off-road towing.

All-terrain tyres

All-terrain tyres (A/T) deliver the best of both worlds with their versatile design suitable for both on-road driving and off-road towing. The tread pattern on these tyres can vary greatly depending on the tyre manufacturer; however, typically, they will have a deeper, more aggressive tread pattern than a H/T tyre. These tyres have a lower speed rating than H/T tyres but make up for it with a higher load rating for better off-road performance.

Mud-terrain tyres

Mud-terrain tyres (M/T) are designed specifically for off-road conditions. These tyres have the heaviest, strongest construction of the three and a deep tread pattern. While this may seem like the best solution, often mud-terrain tyres are overkill for most caravanners due to the high cost and fuel inefficiency of these tyres. Mud-terrain tyres are the ultimate off-road tyres, but unless you’re doing heavy-duty off-roading, you’re better off investing in A/T tyres.

Whether you plan on travelling on sealed roads, off-road, or a combination of the two, there is a solution for you. While it may be tempting to choose the most aggressive tyre available, it’s important to consider the cost and fuel efficiency of your chosen tyre, as well as its suitability for your intended usage. By considering all of these factors, you can select caravan tyres that will provide a smooth and safe journey.

How Long Should Caravan Tyres Last?

Understanding how long your tyres last is essential for your safety, as older tyres have a higher risk of failure. The standard life span of a tyre is five to six years. Common signs of deterioration, such as cracked rubber, can often be found on the treads and sidewall. If your tyres appear to be in good condition, it’s still important to get them double-checked by a professional to ensure there is no hidden damage.

How to Check Tyre Expiry Date

To find out if your tyres need replacing, you can check the date stamp, which is located on the tyre’s sidewall. The datestamp is close to the rim and is written as a week and year. E.g. a stamp reading “2102” would mean the tyre was made in the 21st week of 2002. A date stamp will only specify the manufacturing date, so you’ll need to add 5 to 6 years to the date given to find your expiry date.

You should always check your tyres to ensure they’re in good condition and within their typical life cycle. This includes the spare tyre, which, while it may go unused, can deteriorate over time.

How to Store Caravan Tyres

When they’re not in use for longer than a month, it’s important to store your tyres properly to reduce the chance of deterioration. Failing to do so can result in flat-spotting and ozone damage.

Flat-spotting occurs when tyres sit at low pressure for an extended period of time and settle into an incorrect shape. This causes the tyres to become misshapen even when pumped up. You can avoid flat-spotting by storing your caravan on blocks to take the weight off the tyres. If this is not possible, you can also pump up the tyres to their maximum allowable pressure while in storage.

Ozone damage is caused by heat exposure and rapidly deteriorates the tyre’s rubber. You can avoid this by storing your caravan undercover or covered with a sun-resistant material.

To summarise, when choosing caravan tyres, you must consider load and speed ratings, sizes, and pressure. Additionally, you must ensure your tyre pressure is adequate and adjust it to match the weather conditions and load you are carrying. Lastly, you should understand the different types of caravan tyres available and the situations they are designed for, such as highway-terrain (H/T), all-terrain (A/T), and mud-terrain (M/T) tyres.

By choosing the right tyres and caring for them correctly, you can enjoy a safer and more comfortable caravan journey. Contact us today if you need help choosing tyres suitable for your caravan.