Do caravans need LT tyres?
For towing a caravan, you would typically choose an LT tyre for just about every trip planned. LT tyres have stronger sidewalls, can take a higher load capacity and are more resistant to puncture and harsh road surfaces that the Australian touring can often provide. Highway Terrain tyres are relatively quiet and smooth and typically last longer than other tyre types. They have a high-speed rating and relatively light sidewall construction. With a tread pattern like a ‘car’ tyre, these tyres provide the best on-road traction for your caravan or 4×4.The constant wear and tear, fluctuating load (of the caravan) and the weather conditions take a heavy toll on your caravan wheels, and it becomes extremely important to take the right care of them. Rotating the caravan tyres every once in a while is a great way to elongate their lives.Properly inflated tyres are paramount for several reasons; Optimal Load Distribution – Caravans have specific weight limits, and maintaining the correct tyre pressure is vital for ensuring an even distribution of weight across all tyres. This helps prevent undue stress on individual tyres and promotes balanced towing.Starting from around £40, the cost of caravan tyres can vary depending on the brand, size, and load rating. It’s important to invest in good quality tyres to ensure safety and avoid any potential accidents on the road.
What is the lifespan of a caravan tyre?
Caravan tyres need regular replacement, irrespective of their visual appearance. We recommend that you replace your caravan tyres when they reach five years old and should never be used when more than seven years old. This can be done by examining the DOT (date of manufacture) code found on the tyre sidewall. Caravan tyres need regular replacement, even if they look like they’re in good condition. The Caravan Club recommends changing them every five years and never using them when they are more than seven years old.Caravan tyres need regular replacement, irrespective of their visual appearance. We recommend that you replace your caravan tyres when they reach five years old and should never be used when more than seven years old.When you buy a caravan new, the tyres it comes with will be specific to the vehicle itself. Although they may be roughly the same size as normal car tyres, it is often the case that the sidewall is reinforced and made stronger to handle the extra weight.It’s always advisable to go for a Commercial Tyres for a single axle caravan, and a twin axle caravan where possible. The load rating will be displayed just after the tyre size – for example 185R14 102/100R – the 102 relates to the load rating on a single axle and the 100 is on a twin.Caravans use either tyres made for cars, or ones designed for use on small vans. While there are tyres designed specifically for use on trailers, these are only available in specifications which suit models like small camping trailers, or one or two specialist types of larger commercial trailer.
What is the difference between C and LT tyres?
Both of LT and C-Type tire types are reinforced to carry a heavier load than a typical passenger car tire. However, the C-Type tire is meant to handle a heavier load than an LT tire in equivalent size, though generally rated for a lower speed. C-Type tires are tires designed for certain cargo vans, specifically meant to handle high loads. C-Type tires are designed to accommodate the heavy loads that modern, European-style cargo vans require. This C-Type tire classification originated in Europe and is now also on vehicles sold in North America.C load range tires are suitable for many types of trailers. With a tire pressure of 50 psi, a C range tire with a diameter of 14” can support a load of about 1,700 pounds per tire.The C-Type tire, on the other hand, is specifically meant as a commercial-rated tire, with a higher load rating for a given size than many LT tires. These C-Type tires will show the letter “C” immediately after the wheel diameter in the tire code.Tire Type There are two types of trailer tires: Bias-ply tires: Strong sidewalls, good for off-road or rugged use, but shorter tread life. Radial tires: Longer tread life and better for highway towing.
What is the best PSI for caravan tyres?
It is recommended that you set your tyres at the upper end of their recommended pressure range, which, in most vehicles, is around 45 PSI. The higher pressures will decrease your rolling resistance (friction), meaning better fuel consumption, and also open up the tread. The 4psi rule The rule is based on the generality that if a tyre is properly inflated when cold, its pressure should increase by 4psi for passenger tyres (or 6psi for light truck tyres) under normal driving conditions on bitumen. If it increases more than 4psi (or 6psi), there wasn’t enough air in the tyres.The 5psi rule Note this really only applies to on-road or smooth gravel roads. Check your tyres when they’re cold and again when they’re hot (after driving on them for ½ hour or so). If the difference between cold and hot tyre pressures is around 5psi, then you’re running the right pressures.
Are budget tyres ok for a caravan?
As previously stated caravan tyres do not experience the same stresses that a car tyre does, so many users choose to fit a budget option. Budget tyres will not perish any quicker than a more expensive alternative, nor will they wear much faster that a more expensive tyre. Allowing pressure to dip under the recommended PSI could leave your tires susceptible to blowing out when faced with a pothole. If your tires are inflated above the recommended PSI, you increase the chances of a rigid impact when hitting a pothole because tires are harder when overinflated.Over-inflated tires pose serious safety risks, increasing the likelihood of blowouts and compromising vehicle handling. While it might seem tempting to inflate tires beyond the recommended PSI for better fuel efficiency, doing so can lead to uneven tire wear and void warranties.Overinflated tyres make your caravan ride bumpy, while underinflated ones can overheat and blow out. Both scenarios lead to uneven wear, which means you’ll be replacing your tyres sooner than you should. Always check your tyre pressure before heading out and adjust it to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
What does C mean on a caravan tyre?
Heavier duty tyres (designed for small trucks and vans) may have a ‘C’ suffix immediately after the nominal rim diameter. This type of tyre is quite commonly fitted to caravans, especially larger single axle ones. The load index is the maximum load a tyre can carry at the speed indicated, under specific conditions. Most caravan tyres have a nominal rim diameter of 13”, or for more recent models – 14”. Heavier duty tyres (designed for small trucks and vans) may have a ‘C’ suffix immediately after the nominal rim diameter. This type of tyre is quite commonly fitted to caravans, especially larger single axle ones.Caravan tyres are easily recognisable by the C marking on their sidewall. This indicates that they are suitable for supporting very heavy loads over long distances. Tyres with this type of marking are used on caravans, motorhomes and utility vehicles. It is also possible to fit motorhome tyres (CP) on a caravan.Caravan tyre pressure and axle load If you are towing a two-axle caravan or trailer, your total maximum capacity would be 1908kg. And to safely support this load, your tyre will need to be inflated to 36 PSI or 2. BAR.The legal minimum tread on caravan tyres is 1. With new caravans, the correct inflation pressure will be given in the handbook. However, if your caravan is second hand, it may be indicated on the wheel arch.