Editors Choice
Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT All-Season Radial Tire
If you’re ready to hit the open road and want to equip your RV with some of the best tread around, the Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude tire is worth a long, hard look. In fact, there are several aspects of this RV tire avid campers and caravanners can’t help but love.
Being made with a lower rolling resistance tread compound, this tire’s premium tread boosts the fuel economy of your RV and helps to cut your gas budget. These top-notch tires also have a super quiet tread and provide a smooth ride, allowing you to enjoy your tunes while cruising rather than the sound of the road below.
If you find a size that fits for your RV, which may or may not be difficult depending on your rig, you’ll discover they provide excellent traction too, even in the wet.
Bottom Line: The Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude tire checks all the boxes that matter most, making it an excellent choice for any camper looking to equip their RV with some premium tread. In our view the best RV tires on the market right now.
Best RV Trailer Tires for the Road Less Travelled
According to the RV Safety & Education Foundation, one in four recreational vehicles on the road are too heavy for the tires they’re riding on. The average RV is overloaded by almost 1,000 pounds!
Needless to say, you not only need an excellent RV tire, but you also need the right tire for your rig and circumstances. In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know when shopping for travel trailer tires and give you our in-the-trenches take on several of today’s top options.
Whether you are purchasing RV tires for the first time or in the RV tire market for some replacement tires we have you covered.
Looking for the Best RV Tires for Your Rig?
- What features are important in tires for RV use
- How to choose the right tires based on your particular circumstances
- RV tire reviews of 9 of the best on the market
- Our top choice for the best RV tire
How to Choose the Right RV Tires
RV tires may resemble oversized car passenger tires, but there are several important differences between them with each being felt when you’re out on the open road.
What are RV Tires?
An RV tire is more robust than a car tire, designed and manufactured to withstand the rigors of the road and minimize road friction whilst hauling a lot more weight.
Most motorhome tires are categorized as light truck (LT) or special trailer tires (ST), and the type you should choose will come down to the type of recreational vehicle you plan on hitting the road in.
If you have a motorhome, you’ll want to go with LT tires. On the other hand, if you have a 5th-wheel or other type of camper you plan on hauling behind your truck or SUV, then ST trailer tires are the way to go.
You’ll learn more about these two types of recreational vehicle tires and the differences between them throughout this guide.
What are the Benefits of RV Tires?
Safety
An RV tire is specifically designed to haul heavier loads. If your RV were equipped with car tires, they would likely blow due to the weight of the load being placed on them. They’re simply not equipped to handle the load range of an RV.
Whether you opt for an LT or an ST tire, it will say on it how much load it can handle. Some can safely haul up to 10,000 pounds or more!
However, be careful as Euro-metric and P-metric tires can only safely handle 90 percent of their load rating. So, if your RV weighs nearly the entire load rating, you’ll risk a blowout, which can be catastrophic on the interstate, the side of a mountain, or just about anywhere.
Fuel Efficiency
If you put the wrong tires on your RV, they won’t hit the surface of the road properly, and your gas mileage will suffer significantly.
Since fuel economy is a big deal when RVing, don’t just look at the tire type, also look for a tire with high speed and fuel efficiency ratings. The better these ratings, the more fuel-efficient your RV will be.
Durability
Both LT and ST options are designed to haul heavy loads for extended periods. You’ll not only enjoy a safer, more comfortable ride, but you’ll also spend less in the long run due to their increased durability.
Sure, you can put passenger car tires on your RV to limp down the road to the nearest repair shop, rest stop, or campsite, but you shouldn’t drive on them for long distances. They won’t hold up.
RV Tires – Things to Consider
There are many things for an RV owner to consider when choosing the right tires for you and your rig. The most important factors include:
Your Purpose
As we previously talked about there are two primary types of tire – special trailer (ST) and light truck (LT). You should only put ST tires on a camper or fifth wheel, and conversely, light truck tires should only be used for motorhomes.
Why you might ask? Well, both types are made to do different things. They each have different levels of road resistance, load capacity, and so on.
If you want to enjoy the safest, comfiest, and most fuel-efficient ride possible, which you should, then you need to pick trailer tires suited to your purpose and type of vehicle.
Tire Size
You wouldn’t put a BMX tire on a 10-speed. Not only would it not perform nearly as well, but it wouldn’t even fit.
The same is true for RV tires. You need to know what size tire will fit your RV or trailer wheel and pick one that matches the rim size.
Load Capacity
As you now know, not all RV tires are the same. Different tires are designed to support different weight ranges, and the more you overload a tire, the higher the odds of it going flat or blowing out.
If you’re unsure of your RV’s load rating, check the manual. If you don’t have a manual, you’ll need to call the manufacturer or put it on the scales and weigh it.
To determine the minimum load rating you need, simply divide the weight of your RV by the number of tires. Once you know this figure, you can look for models that meet or exceed it. The max load capacity of most RV tires is marked on the sidewall.
It’s best to get a tire with the highest load capacity possible. By doing so, you’ll reduce the risk of a blowout and premature wear. Don’t even consider exceeding the maximum weight rating.
Sidewall
Sidewall strength is an important consideration – A strong sidewall will be able to hold up to wear and allow the tire to last a lot longer. A weak sidewall, on the other hand, will increase wear and the odds of causing a problem out on the road.
A durable sidewall is also crucial for parking. Since RVs can be difficult to park and even the most skilled RV drivers will have scuffed a sidewall or two, a heavy-duty tire with a sturdy sidewall will be money well spent.
Generally, the higher a tire’s max load capacity, the more robust its construction and sidewall strength. However, this isn’t always the case, so it’s worth checking.
Tire Pressure Rating
The tire pressure rating tells you how much air you should put in it for an ideal ride. If you’re not one to religiously check your tire pressure, you may be better off going with a tire capable of running safely at low pressure. This is especially true if you rarely check the pressure of your trailer’s inside tires.
Meanwhile, a higher pressure rating may be ideal if you’re traveling through Arizona, the Outback, or another very hot locale. The potential for overheating, over-expanding, and risk of failure will be highly reduced.
Ride Quality
When it comes to traction and stability, it’s all about the tread. Some RV tires have thicker tread than others, giving them greater slip-resistance and the ability to handle and brake better in wet weather.
In addition to improved handling, the tread quality of the tire also affects road noise and the overall comfort of your RVing experience. If you want the best possible driving experience, this last point should be given some serious consideration when RV tire shopping.
Distance and Terrain
If you are doing most of your driving on good roads, then regular rib tires will be just fine. However, if you’re going to drive on rougher surfaces or do a little RV off-roading, you’ll want a tire with deeper treads.
While straight rib options improve gas mileage, it won’t matter much if you’re always getting stuck in the mud at every campsite you visit.
You should also look out for radial tires. They create less road friction, improve gas mileage, and tend to last longer, which are three big pluses in our book.
Weather
Last but not least, you should consider the type of weather you’ll primarily be driving in and choosing tires capable of performing well in the conditions.
Just as there are snow and rain tires made for cars, they’re also available for campers and recreational vehicles. If you’re going to spend a lot of time in rain and/or snow, it just makes sense to go with a tire made for these conditions.
The tread depth of a tire will also affect its performance in the rain or snow. So, an RV tire with a deep tread pattern that may not be marketed as a snow or rain tire will perform better than others in inclement weather.
A tire’s ability to handle large changes in temperature and air pressure is another critical consideration. If you’re camped out in the desert where the temp can swing by 40 degrees or more in a matter of hours, it’s worth paying more for a good RV tire.
RV Tires – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Often Should You Buy New Tires?
It is recommended that you replace your tires every 6-10 years (you can determine how old your tires are by checking the sidewall). However, this is an estimate and you should consistently check for evidence of shallow tread, cuts, bumps, or cracks. If you spot anything that’s less than stellar it’s best to invest in some new tires for you and your family’s safety.
How Should You Protect Your New RV Tires?
To make sure your new tires last a long time i.e. towards the upper end of the 6-10 year estimate, do regular checks to make sure that they are holding the correct pressure. Incorrectly pressured tires can lead to shallow tread, affect ride quality (particularly at high speeds), and may lead to trailer tire blowouts.
Additionally, when not in use, we highly recommend the use of tire covers to protect RV tires from the sun’s UV radiation. While generally not noticeable with a quick glance direct exposure to sunlight will cause tire rubber to dry-rot. This leads to microcracks in the rubber which will affect your tire’s sidewall strength.
Should You Replace All Your RVs Tires at Once?
Well. It depends. If all your tires are approaching the end of their life, but some are in a worse state than others, then yes, we would recommend you switch out the whole lot. If they are a couple of years old, and one took a puncture then replacing only the single tire makes sense.
The Best Tires for RVs – The Results
Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT All-Season Radial Tire
Editors Choice
The Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT All-Season performs well in a variety of conditions and earned the top spot on this list with its premium tread.
While there are several aspects of the Wrangler Fortitude we loved, we were particularly impressed with its lower rolling resistance tread design, making it noticeably more fuel-efficient than many other models we’ve driven on.
These Goodyear tires ride smoothly and quietly even at high speeds, providing you with a more relaxed and comfortable on-the-road experience. Plus, they’re all season. Although we wouldn’t recommend driving with them through a blizzard, they’re well-made and have great traction in a variety of conditions.
Unfortunately, finding the right size for your RV might be a challenge. While some folks have no problem at all fitting them to their camper or rig, other RV owners may not be so lucky. It all comes down to the size of your wheels, so make sure to check to see if they’re a match.
PROs
- Quiet and comfortable ride
- Enhanced fuel efficiency
- Great all-weather traction
CONs
- Range of sizes is limited
- Not the best for snow/ice
Bottom-Line: The Wrangler Fortitude HT All-Season Radial Tire is a great all-around option that checks just about every box, making it a solid choice for any RVer ready to hit the open road.
Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor
Best for Durability
Runner-up to the Wrangler Fortitude is another Goodyear offering, the Wrangler Silent Armor Pro which stands out from the pack in many ways.
One of which is its ability to provide great traction and grip on wet roads. Thanks to the tire’s open tread design, you’ll have one less thing to worry about during an already stressful downpour.
Another great feature is the thick tread and sidewall. Not only does this give an added sense of stability, but also reduces road noise and increases durability as well. Further reinforcing durability is the use of Durawall technology which helps minimize the risk of punctures and tears.
With the Wrangler Silent Armor, the only real negative is the ride quality. It can be a bit bumpy and shaky at times, but heh, that adds to the adventure, right?
PROs
- Great on wet and snowy roads
- Durable tread and sidewalls
- Reduced road noise
CONs
- Bumpy ride on some roads and RVs
Bottom-Line: If you’re looking for durable, well-made tires and don’t mind sacrificing a little comfort on rough country roads, the Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor might be the best trailer tires for you.
Michelin XPS RIB Truck Radial Tire
Most Versatile
The Michelin XPS RIB is one of the most versatile options on the market today. Unlike the Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude, this light truck tire comes in a remarkable number of sizes and can fit almost any vehicle. This is a huge plus and definitely makes shopping easier.
These Michelin RV tires are also very strong and durable. As radials, they have a reinforced steel casing, which adds stability and reduces general wear and tear and the likelihood of punctures.
Like many other options on this list, they also have low rolling resistance for improved gas mileage and are designed to provide a quiet ride too. With a solid tread design, the Michelin XPS RIB Radials shouldn’t have a problem keeping up with even the most ambitious of RVing schedules.
That said, as with many other RV tires, you’d be wise not to test them in the snow or ice. They’re not exactly made for wintertime travel up north.
PROs
- Available in several different sizes
- Sturdy steel radial construction
- Good stability and fuel-efficient
- Low rolling resistance
CONs
- Not great in the snow and ice
Bottom-Line: Whether you need tires for your trailer or motorhome, chances are you’ll find these Michelins in the size you need and can enjoy years of stable, reliable performance.
Hankook AH12 Radial Tire
Best for Wet Weather
From the beaches of Florida to the hills of New England and the Cascades of the Northwest, you’re going to run into wet weather anywhere you travel. If you want the best traction and performance the Hankook AH12 deserves a look in.
Specially designed for rainy conditions, this impressive RV tire has several grooves and snipes that expel water and allow it to maintain as much grip as possible. That’s right; with these camper tires, hydroplaning is a non-issue.
Furthermore, the Hankook has a solid belt structure which helps reduce heat generation, one of the leading causes of tire failure. On the downside, it’s not the best tire for off-roading. However, few RV tires are.
PROs
- Great wet-weather performance
- Very well-made
- Excellent traction and stability
CONs
- Performs best on the beaten path
Bottom-Line: The Hankook AH12 is a well-made tire with deep grooves and snipes that allow it to grip the road in any weather, making it an excellent option for almost any RVer.
Sailun S637 Trailer Radial Tire
Best Handling
Explicitly designed for trailers, Sailun S637 commercial truck tires are a great option for travel trailers and fifth-wheel RV owners. One of the reasons we like this Sailun tire is its broad tread face, which improves stability and handling. This is important when hauling an 8,000-pound, $80,000 camper.
The Sailun S637 also performs well in snowstorms and inclement weather. With multiple snipes, it offers enhanced grip in wet, slippery, and downright dangerous road conditions. These snipes also help keep the tire from overheating, resulting in longer tread life. This tire should last you several camping seasons.
The only drawback of this tire is its sidewall which tends to bulge on rougher roads. While there are only a few reported cases of this it can be extremely hazardous and lead to a blowout. Therefore, it’s best to play it safe and take it nice and slow on some roads.
PROs
- Made specifically for trailers
- Broad tread face provides excellent stability
- Outstanding traction in rain and snow
CONs
- Sidewall is prone to bulge
Bottom-Line: These light truck radial tires provide excellent traction and stability for fifth wheels and travel trailers, making them an excellent option for wet weather driving.
Goodyear Unisteel G614 RST Radial Tire
Best for Rough Roads
A reliable ST commercial truck tire, with its excellent design and steel belt casing construction, the Goodyear Unisteel G614 can handle the most demanding of trailers and roads.
Even compared to the excellent traction and stability of the Sailun S637, this Goodyear tire can tackle the most demanding of road conditions and do it smoothly and quietly. If you love RVing and camping off the beaten path, this is something you’ll appreciate.
That said, since they are radial tires, the Goodyear Unisteel G614 RST can also handle the highway just fine.
Unfortunately, with an L speed rating limiting the safe traveling speed to just 75 mph you’ll have to take it slow. However, when you’re hauling a fifth wheel weighing up to 20,000 pounds and costing as much as some homes, you should probably keep it under the speed limit anyway.
PROs
- Performs well on a variety of roads
- Will hold up to any trailer application
- Reduces heat generation for added durability
- Wide-variety of sizes available
CONs
- Speed rating could be higher
Bottom-Line: From highways to remote campsites off the beaten path, the Goodyear Unisteel G614 RST is a quality tire that can take you just about anywhere you may want to go.
Trailer King ST Radial Trailer Tire
Best General Use
It may not have the Goodyear name, but if you’re searching for a great all-around tire for your fifth-wheel or travel trailer, it’s hard to go wrong with Trailer King ST Radial Trailer Tires.
One of the reasons we like this tire is its center groove. It enables the tire to track consistently and provide stable performance on a variety of roads and in almost any weather condition. With an embedded nylon overlay and steel belts radial construction, it’s built to handle the rigors of regular highway use.
The only real concern with this tire is its durability. As one of the more inexpensive options, the Trailer King’s tread tends to wear out a little faster than average RV tires. It’s also more susceptible to scrapes and punctures, so keep this in mind if you plan on driving over rocky terrain.
PROs
- Center groove improves tracking
- Tough materials and construction
- Smooth ride and high-speed rating
CONs
- Tread is a bit thin
- Limited warranty
Bottom-Line: If you’re not an avid RVer and want a quality trailer tire for occasional camping trips, then Trailer King ST Radial Trailer Tires are worth checking out.
Carlisle Radial Trail HD
Most Reliable
The Carlisle Radial Trail HD Trailer Tire is yet another quality tire designed for use on fifth-wheels and travel trailers. This tire stands out for a few reasons, but the main one is its tread pattern.
The distinctive tread pattern is designed to evenly distribute wear over time, resulting in a more reliable performance. By evenly distributing wear, one section won’t get beaten up more than another, extending the life of the tire and reducing the odds of a blowout.
If that weren’t enough, this model also has built-in ozone, weathering, and heat protection, which boosts its performance in the summer months. They’re also pretty quiet, which is always a big plus.
However, fitting these tires can be a bit of a chore. This can be a real drawback if one of them fails, and you need to change it out on the side of the road. This tire is also not designed for double-axle trailers, so you should consider that as well.
PROs
- Distinctive tread pattern encourages even wear
- Reliable, long-lasting performance
- Built-in heat and weather protection
CONs
- Installation can be a bit challenging
- Not suitable for double-axle/tire setups
Bottom-Line: This Carlisle tire has a distinctive tread pattern designed to promote even wear, making it an excellent option for anyone looking for reliable, long-lasting performance.
Freestar M-108 Radial Trailer Tire
Best Tread
Since the quality of a tire’s tread compound can make or break its performance, we may have saved the best for last with the Freestar M-108 Radial Trailer Tire. This tire’s complex rubber compound gives it added strength and durability, which are two things campers need most in RV tires.
Meanwhile, its deep grooves do an excellent job of expelling water, so if you’re camping and enjoying the great outdoors in the beautiful yet rainy Pacific Northwest, they shouldn’t let you down.
Along the same lines, these Freestar’s also grip the road well and provide excellent traction. This means you can feel safer and more confident, going around turns and dangerous mountain bends.
Unfortunately, like the Sailun S637, the sidewalls are prone to bulging, which can lead to rips or tears and pose a bit of a risk.
PROs
- Great tread compound for minimal wear
- Performs well in wet weather
- Excellent grip and great traction
CONs
- Sidewalls tend to bulge
Bottom-Line: Despite some reports of sidewall issues, the Freestar M-108 checks every other box, making it an excellent choice for cautious drivers desiring great tread, performance, and longevity.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API