Check Out Your Tires Before Camper Season Begins

Check tire pressures and inspect for damage after the winter break

- Replace older tires on caravans and motorhomes

Hanover, Germany, April 8, 2024. The motorhome and camping season is just around the corner. And tire manufacturer Continental has some tips on things to look out for before that first trip. Inflating the tires to the correct pressure and inspecting them for signs of damage is without doubt the first priority for all recreational vehicle (RV) owners. Tire age is also an important consideration: This is even regulated by law in some European countries. Experts also recommend fitting new tires on motorhomes every six years, and after eight years at the latest. Where possible, tires with the Camper marking (“CP”) should be used, as these have been developed for the specific operational demands of RV vehicles. It is also always worth checking that the vehicle is not overloaded as a result of all the equipment, provisions, full tanks and cylinders on board.

Check pressures and inspect tires

Tires often lose pressure during the long winter break. So the first journey of the season should be to the nearest filling station with an unladen vehicle, where the tire pressures can be adjusted with the tires cold. The correct pressure can be found on a label inside the fuel filler flap or on the door pillar, or by looking in the owner’s manual. At the same time, you can also look for signs of possible damage: missing tread blocks, indentations caused by stones in the tread grooves, abrasion on the sidewall or even bulges are all useful clues that can help to avoid nasty surprises after setting off with a full load. If in doubt, you should seek professional advice from a workshop or tire retailer.

In Germany, for example, caravans approved for speeds up to 100 km/h (62 mph) must be fitted with tires no more than six years old. It is the year of production that counts here. This is shown on one of the sidewalls, where a four-digit figure indicates the production date. The figure 2219, for instance, would mean the tire was manufactured in week 22 of 2019, so it could still be used this year in Germany. The tires of motorhomes also age quickly due to the long time they spend parked up, exposure to direct sunlight and extended periods without pressure checks. Experts recommend replacing them after six or, at the latest, eight years, regardless of the remaining tread depth. Where possible, special motorhome tires marked “CP” should be fitted, such as the VanContact Camper from Continental. These have a robust design that makes them ideal for use on motorhomes.

Police road checks frequently reveal caravans and motorhomes that are overloaded. It is easy to understand why, as the free space inside is an invitation for owners to pack all the equipment and provisions they like. However, as the available payload is both limited and further reduced by items such as full gas cylinders, water tanks and attachments, vehicles should be loaded sparingly. Overloaded motorhomes and vehicle/trailer outfits have far longer braking distances, they are more prone to tipping over when performing sudden maneuvers, and the excess load could damage their tires or even cause sudden tire failure.