Hitting the road can be exciting, but if you don’t have the right caravan and trailer tyres, the chances are you can be putting yourself at risk.
Caravans and trailers are meant to add freedom to your trips. But when towing starts to feel like hard work, the fun fades fast. In a lot of cases, the tyres are the quiet culprit. When everything is working on healthy tyres, towing just feels right. However, when they are not, even a quick trip can become super stressful.
This is why knowing how to pick the right trailer tyres and caravan tyres makes such a difference. In this guide, we will explain what to look for so you can choose the right tyres and enjoy safer towing.
How to choose the right caravan and trailer tyres
Start with the basics
Before getting caught up in tyre brands or tread patterns, it is important to slow down and start with the basics. Your tyres need to suit your setup and they need to be in the perfect condition. You would actually be surprised how many trailers and caravans are still rolling around on cracked tyres that should have been retired years ago.
Size checks
The first thing that you need to do is take a look at the numbers on the side of your tyre. That number tells you what your trailer or caravan is meant to be running. Getting the size right keeps your setup working as intended. However, the wrong tyre size can lead to rubbing and puts extra strain on your suspension over time.
Age checks
After doing size checks, the next thing to do is to check the age of the tyres. There is a date code stamped on the sidewall that tells you when the tyre was made. Even if the tread still looks decent, as the years go by, the rubber will harden and lose flexibility. In fact, most trailer and caravan tyres should be replaced after about 5 to 6 years.
Verify their load rates
Another thing to pay close attention to is the load rating, which tells you how much weight a tyre can safely support. All of your tyres combined need to handle the full weight of your loaded trailer or caravan. A caravan that weighs 2,800 kilograms when loaded needs tyres that can handle that weight. With four tyres, each one should be rated for at least 700 kilograms.
Aside from that, it is also even better to choose tyres with a higher rating for extra safety. This is because running tyres that are under-rated for your load causes overheating and blowouts.
Some people spend most of their time on the highway while others head off-road or tow long distances in summer heat. And this is why the right tyre for your travel style matters more than saving just a few dollars.
Condition checks
The next thing to do is to give each tyre a proper once-over. Look closely and see what condition they are really in. Check for the following:
- Cracks in the sidewalls
- Bulges or bubbles
- Uneven wear
- Flat spots
- Damage caused by kerbs, potholes, or debris
Know what to look for in tread and construction
Tread
Having good tread is important, but safe towing is about more than that. You also need to think about how steady your setup feels on the road and how well your tyres deal with heat. These two things really start to matter once you are travelling longer distances.
Construction
A tyre gets most of its strength from the way it is built. That is why tyres with reinforced sidewalls make more sense for towing. They keep the tyre more stable and help protect it from everyday road damage.
Heat is the enemy of tyres and long distances as heavy loads and hot weather all increase temperatures. A well-built tyre with the right construction dissipates heat better and stays safer for longer. So if you have ever seen a tyre shredded on the side of the road, there is a good chance heat played a big role in it.
Common mistakes in choosing safe tyres
It is easy to assume all trailer tyres are much the same, but they are built for very different jobs. When the tyre is not right for the job, it can wear out faster and also leave your setup feeling unsettled behind you.
Another mistake people make is fitting different tyres on the same trailer or caravan. Different tread designs do not always work well together. This can affect the way your rig handles, and you will notice it most in strong winds or at highway speeds. By keeping matching tyres across the axle, your setup stays more predictable.
A lot of people forget about their spare tyre altogether. In fact, many sit under caravans for years without a second thought. You only realise there is a problem when you need it most and find it cracked or flat.
Safe towing starts with tyres that suit your setup and your style of travel. When everything is right, your trips ultimately become better. Your trailer tracks properly, the tyres stay cooler, and there is far less stress on the road.
Get the right tyres fitted at Tyrepower
If these tips have made you think twice about your current setup, Tyrepower can help you get your caravan and trailer tyres sorted properly. We can help match your tyres to your load, your towing style, and the way you use your trailer or caravan. Our team will inspect your tyres, check load ratings, and set your trailer tyres pressure and caravan tyres pressure to suit your setup. Drop into your local Tyrepower and get your trailer or caravan tyres sorted before your next trip.
