If you’ve recently purchased a caravan, it’s likely you’ll have many questions related to its tyres. But don’t worry: this post explains everything you need to know. We’ll tell you which tyres to use for your caravan and how to change them. What’s more, we’ll also offer some advice that will make these tasks even easier

Are you ready to find out everything you need to know about caravan tyres? Keep reading and take note!

Which tyres are suitable for my caravan?

It’s important that you keep your caravan in perfect condition. With regards to its tyres, if you need to change them and you’re unsure as to which ones are best, don’t fret. It’s normal not to know things like this. Once you’ve finished reading this post you’ll know exactly which ones to choose and how to change your tyres. We know you will!

Whether you’ve bought a new caravan or a second-hand one, you must check its tyres when planning a trip. Although we often forget about them, tyres in poor condition are one of the main causes of traffic accidents, for which reason it’s extremely important that you keep them in tip-top condition.

When checking them, the first thing you should do is consult the vehicle’s manual to find the manufacturer’s specifications. People tend to check the wheels’ labels but that’s not recommended. You’ll be asking yourself why not? It’s simple: if you have a second-hand caravan, the previous owner may not have maintained them correctly and may have changed them for others that aren’t the most suitable.

In addition, you need to remember that caravans under 750kg do not need to pass an MOT. Consequently, the previous owner may have used any tyre at all.

How do you interpret your caravan’s manual?

Now you know what you need to check first, let’s talk about how to do so. Your caravan’s manual will show a series of numbers that indicate its tyre measurements. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to identify this. Keep reading to find out what it all means.

For clarification, here’s an example of what you might find. Let’s imagine it states “tyres: 2×175/65R14”. In this case, the first number, 175, indicates the width of the tyre in millimetres, or in other words, the tyre’s thickness. The second number, 65, refers to the ratio between the tyre’s height and width, which is noted as a percentage. In this case, we have an aspect ratio of 65, which indicates that the tyre’s height corresponds to 65% of its width. To finish with this example, the last number, R14, is the diameter of the inner rim in inches. Got that?

What is the load index?

Having seen how to interpret the numbers that appear in the tyre section of your vehicle’s manual, let’s move onto the load index.

The load index is one of the most important parameters when it comes to caravan tyres. It refers to the tyre’s load capacity in kilograms. If the load index is 90, the tyre can withstand up to 600kg of weight. Therefore, two tyres with the same load index can transport up to 1200kg between them. Simple, right?

Things to bear in mind

So you know what the digits in your caravan’s manual mean and how the load index works. Now here’s a few pieces of advice that will help when it comes to changing your caravan’s tyres.

If you’ve purchased a second-hand caravan, you should change its tyres immediately after buying it.

• Follow the indications provided in the vehicle’s manual.
• Choose tyres with a load index suited to the weight of your caravan.
• Choose tyres made by top brands, such as Michelin, Uniroyal and Hankook. If your caravan has only two wheels, this evidently won’t be as expensive as a four-wheeled vehicle.
• Tyres should always be changed at a workshop or garage.
• If you notice any deformities, change the tyre as soon as possible.
• Recommendations suggest changing your caravan’s tyres every 5 years, regardless of their condition.
• Make sure your caravan’s tyres are always at the correct pressure and never exceed their pressure limit.

Any further questions about caravan tyres?

It’s important you follow the entire guide to travelling with a caravan and that you’re prepared for any unforeseen circumstances. If you have any further questions, our team at Villamar Campsite will be able to help you. Don’t hesitate to ask!