When embarking on an outdoor adventure, the right gear can make all the difference. Tents, hiking boots, and camping gadgets are all essential. But one crucial tool often gets overlooked—the tires on your camper.
The right camper tires can ensure a smooth and safe journey, no matter the terrain.
This blog covers our top 5 camper trailer tires for outdoor recreational activities, covering high-performing tire brands, maintenance tips, and commonly asked questions. Use our guide to make an informed buying decision for your next adventure!
Hunting for affordable tires? Explore our selection of used camper tires at our Hooper’s Tire Outlet branches!
Camper Tires vs Passenger Tires: What’s the Difference?
Camper tires, also known as RV tires, are specifically designed to handle the weight and dynamics of a recreational vehicle (or camper trailer). While camper tires look similar to regular passenger tires, they’re different in critical ways.
Most camper tires are ST tires (special trailer tires), which feature thick sidewalls and narrow treads. Their unique design allows them to support more weight and endure different types of terrain, from smooth highways to rugged backroads. The weight also makes them resistant to swaying, which is crucial when driving a large vehicle.
Some drivers may install LT tires (light truck tires) on smaller camper trailers because they’re designed to absorb shock during towing. However, we recommend checking if the tire is suitable for your RV camper to be safe.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Camper Tires
Good camper tires enhance stability, improve fuel efficiency, and provide better traction in various weather conditions. Check your RV or camper trailer specs before shopping for camper tires.
Load Capacity: Ensure the tires can handle the weight of your fully loaded camper.
Durability: Look for tires made from high-quality materials to withstand rough terrains.
Traction: Consider the tread design for optimal grip on different surfaces.
Weather Performance: Choose tires that perform well in various weather conditions. If you favor a specific terrain, choose a tire that can perform well under those conditions.
Top Camper Tires for Outdoor Adventures
1. Michelin XZE
The Michelin XZE tire is known for its robust performance and durability. Designed with motorhomes and RVs in mind, the tire can handle regional and long-haul applications with ease and boasts excellent tread life. Its zigzag groove design enhances traction and stability, making it a great choice for most terrains.
Key Benefits:
Ideal for pop-up campers, motorhomes, and RVs
Excellent load capacity and tread life
Decent tread contact area, allowing for better steering control and road grip
Heat resistant to prolong tread life
2. Goodyear G647 RSS 245/70R19.5 G/14PLY
The Goodyear G647 RSS is built to handle heavy loads and provide reliable performance. It features a deep tread pattern for improved traction and a robust casing for enhanced durability. This tire is particularly suited for travel, boat, and utility trailers as well as 5th wheels.
Key Benefits:
Reinforced sidewalls to resist cuts and punctures
Can travel at highway speeds
Long-lasting construction to limit treadwear
3. Toyo M 143
The Toyo M 143 tire offers a balance of durability and performance, making it perfect for commercial and RV use. This camper tire utilizes an advanced casing made from a heat-resistant rubber compound to extend its life. Additionally, the tread design grips well on various road surfaces, which makes it a popular choice for outdoor recreationists.
Key Benefits:
Versatile camper tire
Stable and reliable performance
High-elongated top belt to improve casing integrity
4. Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685
The Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 is a premium light truck tire designed for both on-road and light off-road conditions. It features an all-season tread design that provides excellent traction and handling. The tire's construction enhances durability for highway travel, making it a dependable choice for long trips.
Key Benefits:
Good all-season performance
Durable construction
Reliable traction
Great for road trips
5. Hankook AH35 225/70R19.5 G/14 PLY
The Hankook AH35 is designed for commercial vehicles and RVs, offering excellent load capacity and durability. Its advanced tread design provides good traction and stability, making it suitable for various road conditions. It boasts the M+S marking and the 3PMSF snowflake certification as proof of its terrain capabilities.
Key Benefits:
High load capacity
Durable and long-lasting
M+S and 3PMSF snowflake certified
Good traction and stability
RV Tire Maintenance Tips: Keeping Your Camper Tires Safe
Investing in quality camper tires is essential to keep you safe in the wilderness. Maximize your camper tire lifespan by protecting them from the elements and following key tire maintenance steps.
RV Tire Covers: Excessive exposure to UV light, fluctuating temperatures, and rough weather conditions can result in cracks in your camper tire sidewall, leading to flat tires or blowouts. Use RV tire covers when parking outside for more than a few days.
303 Aerospace Protectant: An alternative to RV tire covers, 303 aerospace protectant is a spray that protects camper tires from UV light damage. They’re less hassle than RV tire covers, which require dedicated storage space when not in use. However, they don’t protect against element exposure.
Regular Inspections: Check your tires for signs of wear, damage, or punctures before and after each trip.
Proper Inflation: Maintain the recommended tire pressure for optimal performance and longevity. Driving on low-pressure tires can damage the sidewalls prematurely, causing them to bulge out. Uneven tire pressure can also compromise vehicle control.
Balanced Load: Distribute the weight evenly in your camper to avoid putting extra stress on the tires. Check the vehicle manual and tire specs to ensure the camper’s total weight does not exceed manufacturer recommendations.
Rotate Tires: Regularly rotate your tires to promote even wear and extend their lifespan.
Seasonal Storage: If your camper is stored for a long period, keep the tires covered and off the ground to prevent damage from the elements.
Camper Tire FAQs
What Ply Tire is Best for a Camper?
When choosing the ply rating for your camper tires, consider the weight of your trailer and the load it needs to carry. A 12-ply tire typically has a higher load-carrying capacity than a 10-ply tire, making it suitable for heavier trailers.
However, it’s crucial to match the tire’s ply rating with your trailer’s weight specifications. If your camper requires the extra load-carrying capacity provided by a 12-ply or 14-ply tire, it may be the better option. Otherwise, a 10-ply tire could suffice and potentially offer a smoother ride.
What Load Range Should Camper Tires Be?
The load range of camper tires is a crucial factor to ensure safety and performance. For example, D-load range tires can hold between 2,000 and 2,500 pounds of trailer weight per tire with the tire pressure at 65 psi.
For a tire with a 14” diameter, you don't want a load capacity much heavier than 2,000 pounds per tire. Ensuring the load range matches your camper's specifications will help maintain stability and prevent tire blowouts.
How Often Should Camper Trailer Tires Be Replaced?
The average life expectancy of camper trailer tires is five to seven years, though many sites mention a 10-year limit. It’s best to err on the side of caution and replace camper tires after their recommended life expectancy date.
Note: Tires age even when not in use. Regularly inspecting your tires for signs of wear and damage, and replacing them as necessary, will help ensure a safe and reliable journey.
Bias vs Radial Camper Trailer Tires: What’s the Difference?
It all comes down to the camper tire construction and use case. Bias ply tires use body ply cords that extend diagonally across the tire from bead to bead at a 32º angle. They feature stiffer sidewalls, making them better for rougher terrains, slower speeds, and unpaved roads.
Radial tires use body ply cords organized in a 90º pattern toward the travel direction. They excel at dissipating heat, helping them last longer while lowering rolling resistance during drives. Radial tires are best for towing camper trailers on roads and highways for long distances, giving drivers more control over their trailers.
Find High-Quality Used Camper Tires for Less
Installing the right camper tires can help bring peace of mind on the road. Look for camper tires that match your RV or camper trailer’s specs, paying attention to weight limits and tire size requirements. If you plan on being off roads often, consider a bias-ply camper tire. Otherwise, a radial tire will suit most campers.
Talk to a Hooper’s Tire Outlet expert to help you get started with used tire needs! We’ll help you find the best camper trailer tires without breaking the bank.