Do you know that there is a difference between passenger vehicle tires and camper tires & RV tires? If not, don’t feel bad. Most people aren’t aware that there is a difference either. This article will help you to learn the difference and make sure you are using the correct tires for your RV or camper.
When looking at the two different kinds of tires, you might not be able to visually tell that they are different but there is a significant difference between them. Passenger vehicle tires are designed for traction and handling over different road surfaces. Camper tires are designed for strength to support the weight of the camper and its contents and to handle the stresses of cornering and backing.
Camper and trailer tires are stamped with “ST” on the sidewall. The ‘Special Trailer’ (ST) tires are constructed for better high speed durability, extended towing time and damage resistance under heavy loads. Trailer tire construction varies quite a bit from automotive tires, for that reason, it is important to choose the correct tire for your towing application. In general, trailer tires have the same load range (or ply) from bead to bead and are bias ply construction. This type of construction allows for a stiffer side wall which provides safer towing by reducing trailer sway problems. The use of ‘Passenger Car’ (P) or ‘Light Truck (LT) tires a on a RV, camper or trailer is not recommended because their construction. They are usually radial or bias belted, making for a more flexible side wall which could lead to increased trailer sway and loss of control.
Passenger vehicle tires usually determine their condition by the amount of tread depth they have. Since trailer tires are developed with a stronger sidewall and because campers don’t get used as much as our passenger vehicles, the tread doesn’t normally wear out as quickly so sidewall condition needs to be checked for all campers and trailers. Most trailer tires have a life span of 3-5 years but that can be significantly extended if the tires are treated with a tire treatment and covered when not in use. By treating the tires with a tire conditioner, it helps to keep the rubber supple thus avoiding dry rot. If you can use tire covers, it helps to prevent premature aging due to UV rays and weather condition.
When replacing your trailer tires and trailer rims it is critical that the proper size and load range be selected in order to match the load requirements of the camper trailer. The following characteristics are should be checked when replacing trailer tires.
• TIRE CONSTRUCTION – Bias Ply or. Radial• TIRE APPLICATION TYPE – (ST) Special Trailer or (P) Passenger Car• TIRE LOAD RANGE B – limit of business or domestic load lifted by the camper trailer• TIRELOAD Bias – The ratio of camper trailer tires to the total capacity of the vehicle rims. A trailer tire application that is too high or too low for the rim can cause excessive pressure readings and tire failure.• RIM SIZE – The size of the wheel reigns supreme. The larger the wheel the more contact the tire has with the road. A good rule of thumb is to look for a wheel width not greater than the curb wheels of your vehicle. Wider rims are more stable when you apply a greater amount of downward pressure with the difference in weight. In addition a greater rubber bandsule duration allows for a camper to have a longer contact with the road.
A camper tire is not only related to the tires but it is also necessary for the trailer to be able to be visually load. In most cases it is not possible to load a camper trailer so it is recommended that you get the clients fitted with camper tire chemicals. Trailer tire chemicals help to increase the friction in rubbing between the camper tire and the camper trailer.
In choosing the camper trailer tires and trailer rims for your boat the load range is normally considered dry basis. When you are on the wetter side it is not recommended to increase the dry bed limit of your vehicle as this can raise the hydrostatic head. Any increase in the bed limits the load capacity of the trailer. For the sake of safety it is always recommended to carry spares with you and to be prepared to remove them.
There are some campers that do not fit nicely in camper trailers. You must be able to accommodate a wide range of camper structures according to the trailer model. It is recommended to research camper trailers before you purchase so that you get to know how many beds, awnings and other accessories are included.
