Replacing RV tires can be one of the most expensive items on your list when calculating costs, which is why it is so important to know how to make them last as long as possible. There are several methods that most people use to help with the longevity of their tires.
Usage and storage are the two main factors in prolonging the life of RV tires. The biggest solution to keeping RV tires in good shape is to use them regularly. Allowing your RV to sit for longer than six months can cause cracking and damage to the tires.
RVs are made for adventure, but paying special attention to the tires is the only way to ensure their longevity. Properly maintaining the tires is important, but figuring out how to do it can be quite challenging. Keep reading for a quick guide on how to make your RV tires last longer.
How to Make RV Tires Last Longer
There are several guidelines to follow along to help prevent having to retire your RV earlier than needed. Tire experts have noted that you should be able to extend the lifespan of your tires by 50% if they’re treated properly.
Tires are often ignored until they become a problem, but with a little extra attention, you can provide them with some much needed TLC that they’ll need to keep the adventures coming.
Drive Your RV
What might be surprising is that driving your RV often helps prevent tires from needing to be replaced as frequently. Leaving tires to sit can cause them to become brittle and cracked slowly. The more often you use your RV and keep the tires active, the longer they will most likely last.
It is better to consistently be driving your RV because the rubber on your tires must remain supple to be in good shape. The best method to keep them in this shape is to drive your vehicle merely.
Proper Storage
As you may guess from the previous section, storing your RV for long periods of time will cause your tires to become more brittle. The maximum amount of time you will want to store your RV is around six months.
If you can bring your RV out once in a while to drive, you can continue storing it between trips. Just be aware that leaving it inactive for too long will cause tire issues, and unfortunately, these aren’t always noticed until you’re on the road.
How to Properly Store Your RV to Protect Its Tires
How you can best protect your tires during storage will mostly depend on the storage method you choose. Most people who need to store an RV will have to leave them outside, but there are other methods. Storage can include renting out a space to keep your RV sheltered, a method that will protect your tires from the elements without any effort on your part.
This next section will focus on outdoor storage since that requires more from you like the RV owner. It’s more involved than pulling your RV into an indoor storage space or garage.
What To Know Before You Store
Before you put your RV in storage, even if it’s just for a short break, there are a few things to keep in mind to help extend the life of your tires.
Bugs and Rodents
A common issue for many is dealing with keeping bugs and rodents out of their RV while in storage. These critters are not RV tires’ friends. There are some furry animals, and we’re looking at you, squirrels, that will eat just about anything, including rubber.
Keeping critters out of your RV is part of the reason it can be important to remove even items like paper towels from the inside. No paper products help limit the number of items that might draw in these rodents and bugs and deter them from staying if they have nothing to use for nest making.
It’s imperative to check the entire wheel and tire area often to ensure that there aren’t any insects or rodents making a home inside. Don’t ignore the wheel well. Even if they’re not snacking on the tires, using them as a home can be just as damaging.
Insurance
In general, insurance is important, but this is specifically referring to insurance on storing your RV. Not all insurance includes this, and most storage only insurance is relatively cheap, so it is highly recommended as an added peace of mind. Especially since you never know if the storage lot has insurance that will cover any losses.
Storing Tires
As was mentioned, improper storage can be one of the biggest causes of tires becoming damaged much quicker than normal. Tire damage can even lead to a blowout occurring after picking your RV up after an extended period of time.
Location
If you can, find a location that will allow you to keep your RV out of direct sunlight or UV rays. If your RV is left in direct contact with either of these, then it is common for tires to break down and weaken over time. Specifically, RV tires’ sidewalls are highly susceptible to this damage and could cause issues with continuous exposure.
Tire Protection
Different tire covers are available, or even full RV covers, but most prefer the standard styles. Many RV owners will even purchase some bungee cords and tarps to cover certain areas of their RVs, like the tires. Tarps and bungee cords are a viable alternative solution, and you will be glad you did so when it comes time to break your RV out of storage.
Remove Excess Weight
It will also help lift the additional weight off your tires by properly emptying your RV to the bare minimum. Having this constant weight can cause damage to not only your tires themselves but even other areas of your vehicle.
Many people tend to forget about certain items that may add up if you don’t take them out. They can be smaller items you don’t think of or even larger items that you won’t need while the RV is in storage. You should still make sure to remove everything to help remove any excess weight.
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Remove All Food: Cans are often left behind because they are usually nonperishable, but this added weight can add up.
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Clothing And Shoes: This isn’t as common, but some people leave behind items that they only use when in the RV.
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Gear: This can include hiking, skiing, or any gear that you bring along on your trips, typically not used outside of the season.
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Decorations: Personal touches are great to make your RV feel like home, but they are also easy to store elsewhere while it is being stored.
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Mattress: This isn’t as popular as an item to be removed, but this is a large weight to consider removing if you have the storage available.
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Furniture: Most RV furniture is attached to the vehicle, but if you decided to add any additional items or find that some can be removed, you might want to do so.
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Dishware: Plates, silverware, pots, and pans are all items that are on the heavier side and should be removed.
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Appliances: This refers to any items like a Keurig or a toaster that you may have decided to bring along.
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Firewood: Many RV owners will have supplies like firewood stored away to enjoy at campgrounds. Just make sure to take it out afterward.
Other Supplies: It is always best to go through all of the cabinets and storage to ensure everything that can be removed has been taken out.
Inflation Before Storage
Before storing your tires, you should fill your tires an extra 25% over the recommended pressure. However, you will not want to exceed the rim manufacturer’s inflation capacity, so make sure to know what both are. If you are unsure who the manufacturer for your rim is, then there will usually be a logo on the back of it.
Move Your RV
As mentioned, make sure to move your RV regularly. While you can leave it for six months, it is recommended to move it much more often. RV owners often move their vehicles every three months to help prevent any flat-spotting or cracking. However, make sure to avoid moving it during extreme cold, as this could cause more damage after sitting.
Blocks
To help remove the continuous weight from the tires, place it on blocks. If blocks aren’t an option for your RV, the next best choice is on a firm and well-drained surface. A spot that’s big enough for your RV, as well as well-drained and firm, can be hard to find; most storage lots are made of dirt or gravel. However, just finding an area that won’t end up in a muddy puddle can help increase your tires’ longevity.
Tire Care for Longevity
By taking good care of your tires, then you will find that they will last much longer. RV owners who don’t properly care for their tires will often find themselves having to replace them much more often.
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Tire Rotation: This is a great way to make sure your tires are being worn down evenly.
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Weather: Due to the weather being an uncontrollable factor, it is important to know how to protect them despite this.
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Cleaning Products: Some cleaning products are harsher than others and cause tires to wear down quicker than normal.
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Inflation Levels: It is important to check your tire pressure to avoid a blowout with any vehicle. This is especially true with one as heavy as an RV.
Tire Rotation
Having your tires rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles can also help keep your tires in good shape. According to experts, this is one of the best ways to keep your tires in good shape for your RV and help extend their lives.
Tire rotation is when your tires’ position changed, usually done when you get your oil changed. While the tires are being rotated, it is often a good time to observe them for any damage or have a professional give your RV a onceover to identify any other issues you might have missed.
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Rotate every 6,000 to 8,000 miles: Specifically, you will want to do this if you have even one tire that hasn’t been changed.
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Every six months: This is the average recommendation, but it may change depending on the manufacturer.
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Rotate with an oil change
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Tire treads are wearing unevenly
Not all RVs will need to have their tires rotated. This is mostly due to tires needing to be replaced before you reach this point. However, it is important to do so if you find that your tires can last long enough. Rotating your tires will ensure that each tire is wearing as evenly as possible, adding to their longevity.
Weather
The weather and overall climate you live in will greatly influence your tires’ lifespan. As mentioned, tires exposed to sun or UV rays tend to wear down quickly, and similar issues can occur anywhere.
Be sure to research your area and the best way to protect your tires from these types of external influences. By knowing these proper storage methods, you will help your tires last much longer than they would usually.
Cleaning Products
In case you weren’t aware, it is not good to clean your tires too often. Water can cause them to dry out, which is not something you want if you can avoid it. Another issue to watch out for is what cleaning products you use with them. Certain types of cleaners that are alcohol or petroleum-based can be harder on the rubber, so you will want to avoid these.
Inflation Levels
Checking your tire pressure is important with any vehicle, but especially with one that is as heavy as an RV. Having low tire pressure can cause damage to occur quicker with your tires and the wheels themselves if you aren’t cautious. If your tires are properly inflated, then they will last much longer than others.
Tire Inflation Warnings
If you aren’t careful with properly inflating your tires, there is a chance of a blowout. Not only is this frustrating when needing to purchase a new tire, but it can also be highly dangerous, depending on where you are driving when it occurs.
If you are unaware of how to check the proper air levels of your tires, you should be able to locate it on the side of your tires. The number is often in parenthesis, often saying numbers like 50 PSI. The number changes depending on your tire’s pressure level, and you will want to have a tire pressure gauge with you to check properly.
If you plan to take your RV on a long road trip, then the best method for checking your tire pressure is at every gas station. Along with this, you should check the pressure every morning before you get back on the road. Changes in the temperature could affect the pressure, so constantly have a tire pressure tool with you, so you are ready to check.
Under-Inflated
An under-inflated tire is the most common reason behind tire failure or a blowout. Under-inflation is due to under-inflated tires running hotter, making it easier for these issues to occur while driving. If you observe an under-inflated tire, you should see how the tread is wearing down abnormally. With an under-inflated tire, the tread tends to wear down from the outside faster than the inside.
With underinflated tires, there is a higher possibility of your tire going flat while you are driving. Tires that are too low become a safety hazard because a flat will almost always cause your vehicle to lose some control. Under-inflated tires are often the cause of RVs rolling over or running off the road, even hitting other vehicles.
Another issue with under-inflated tires is they tend to result in worse gas mileage than usual. This is because it requires more fuel to compensate for the resistance being caused by your tire lacking the proper amount of air. Even if you don’t end up in an accident or something similar, this can still increase the cost.
Over-Inflated
Another issue with under-inflated tires is they tend to result in worse gas mileage than usual. This is because it requires more fuel to compensate for the resistance being caused by your tire lacking the proper amount of air. Even if you don’t end up in an accident or something similar, this can still increase the cost.
While under-inflated tires may seem like the main issue to avoid, having over-inflated tires can become just as dangerous, most people willingly over-inflate their tires since they believe this will provide better under-inflated does get poor mileage.
Over-inflation is dangerous since over-inflated tires can cause the tread to begin wearing much earlier than it normally would. Specifically, the center tread would begin to wear quicker, increasing the tire’s temperature. This would inevitably result in a blowout, which is why it is not recommended to over-inflate your tires either.
How to Monitor Your Tire’s Lifespan
The best way to check if you are properly maintaining your tires is by looking them over yourself. If you know what signs of a tire is worn down looks like, you’ll know how to make the appropriate changes or even when it is time to change them out.
Below are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind and check for frequently. These are all indicators that your tires are in need of repair or replacement.
Tread Depth
The easiest way to check what kind of shape they are in is by checking your tire’s tread. It is always smart to know how tread should look when properly wearing down, which is a skill that may take time to learn fully.
A tire’s tread is the raised portion of the tire that makes contact with the road, which often appears in patterns over the tire’s surface. The tread is the surface that allows your tires to grip the road and prevent a vehicle from sliding while driving. You can often measure your tread depth by placing a penny in it to check.
RV tires should typically be at least 6/32″ deep; otherwise, it should probably be replaced. You will also be able to tell if your tread is too shallow when you find that your vehicle is more susceptible to sliding. This is especially important in RVs as it is harder to maintain control once it begins to slide, so you need to monitor your tread closely.
Cracks
All RV tires will eventually have sidewall cracking, so this is nothing to be scared by. While some claim that this isn’t normal, it is rare for it to not occur on tires over time. Just be sure to monitor these cracks so that you know when they are greater than 2/32″ deep that it is time to replace them.
Time Consideration
Typically, it’s a good rule of thumb to change out your tires between three and six years, but this will depend on how often you used your RV. If you are constantly on the road, they will need to be changed much sooner.
However, if you use it less often, you can most likely wait until that six-year mark. It isn’t recommended to go much longer than that as aging can cause other issues to occur. Just be sure to monitor the wear and tear and know when not to push them any further.
Take Them In
When you aren’t sure if they need to be changed, don’t risk it, take your RV to a mechanic. Having a professional tell you how your tires will be a great peace of mind for you before hitting the road.
If they are close to needing to be changed and have a long trip planned, you may want to change them out anyway. Many people who don’t have spare tires will even take one of their old ones that may not be in great shape and use that instead.
Wrap Up
RV tires are an expensive investment. Protecting and enhancing their longevity is imperative to maximizing the time you can spend enjoying RV life.
RV tires have to stand up to rougher conditions due to RVs requiring more durability than a regular vehicle.
Big tire issues tend to occur when RV owners place their RV in storage for a few months without moving it. Improper storage and lack of care damages tires that most likely could have lasted a few more years.
While maintaining your tires well may sometimes require more work, it will save you in other areas. This can include avoiding the cost of new tires, but most importantly, having your tires in good shape will keep everyone in the RV safe as well.