RV and motorhome tires should be replaced by age and weight rating, not just tread depth. Weigh the loaded coach, match the tire's load rating to each axle, and call Columbus Tire Shop in Columbus, OH with your tire size so fitment and availability can be confirmed before you book a trip.
Most RV tires age out before they wear out. A motorhome that covers only a few weekends a year can have deep tread and sidewalls that are cracked from sun and ozone, and those cracks are what you should inspect first.
Bring the date code and the tire size when you call. Those two details tell the shop more than the make of the coach does.
How do I know what weight my RV tires need to carry?
Guessing from the vehicle's brochure weight is how people end up with tires rated too low. Load the coach the way you travel, with water, gear and passengers, and weigh it axle by axle at a truck scale. Then pick tires whose rating covers the heaviest axle with room to spare.
What damages RV tires while the coach is parked?
Sunlight, weather, and sitting on the same patch of the tire for months. Covers on the tires help with the sun, and moving the coach a short distance now and then changes where the weight rests.
Check pressure cold, and look at the valve stems too. A cracked or worn stem leaks slowly, and on dual rear wheels the inner stem is hard to see and easy to forget.
Do I have to replace all the tires at once?
Not always, but mismatched tires on one axle are a problem. Duals need tires of the same size and similar diameter so one does not carry the other's load. Ask what difference in wear the shop will accept before mixing new and old on the same axle.
Plan the work before a trip, not on the way to one. A failed tire on a motorhome can damage the wheel well and wiring, which turns a tire bill into a body repair.
How do I find my RV tire size?
It is printed on the sidewall of the tire you have now, along with the load rating. Bring or call in that full string of numbers and letters rather than a rough size.
Can I use passenger or truck tires on a motorhome?
Only if they carry the right load rating and size for the axle. Check what the coach's placard calls for, and ask the shop to confirm before anything is mounted.
Should I get my RV tires checked before a long trip?
Yes, check pressure cold, look for cracks in the sidewall, and read the date code. Call ahead if you want a shop to look at them before you leave.