How to find the right RV Wheels & Tires AI guide
Written by an AI model from its trained knowledge.
What the AI looks for in RV Wheels & Tires
- Tire type matches the vehicle
- ST (Special Trailer) tires for travel trailers and fifth wheels, LT or commercial-rated tires for motorhomes, never P-metric passenger tires on an RV ST construction is built for trailer loads and sway forces, and passenger tires lose a large share of their load capacity when used on trailers.
- Load range and load index
- Combined tire load capacity on each axle must meet or exceed the axle's GAWR, with headroom preferred Overloading is the leading cause of RV tire blowouts, and trailers are often loaded close to their limit.
- Speed rating
- Check the speed symbol on the sidewall; older ST tires were rated for 65 mph unless marked otherwise, and many newer ones carry higher ratings Running an ST tire faster than its rating builds heat and causes tread separation.
- Tire age (DOT date code)
- The last four digits of the DOT code are the week and year of manufacture; many makers advise replacement around 5 to 7 years regardless of tread depth RV tires usually age out from UV exposure and sitting still before they wear out, and old rubber fails without warning.
- Wheel fitment
- Bolt pattern, center bore, offset, rim width and lug-nut seat type (conical vs flat) must match the hub, and the wheel's load rating must be at or above the tire's load rating A strong tire on an underrated or mismatched wheel can crack the wheel or let lug nuts loosen.
- Matching across the axle
- Same size, type, construction (radial vs bias) and load range on every tire of an axle, and ideally on the whole trailer Mismatched tires share load unevenly, which overloads one of them and worsens handling.
Brands that matter
- Goodyear: Endurance line is a widely trusted ST radial for travel trailers.
- Carlisle: Long-standing trailer tire maker; the Radial Trail HD is common on RVs.
- Michelin: XPS Rib and XRV lines are popular choices for motorhomes.
- Maxxis: ST radial trailer tires with a solid reputation among RV owners.
- Sailun: Its commercial-grade S637 is popular for heavier fifth wheels.
- Dexstar: Dexter's trailer wheel and wheel-and-tire line, which matches common RV axles.
What to avoid
- Passenger (P-metric) tires on any trailer
- Mixing radial and bias-ply tires, or different load ranges, on the same axle
- Buying tires whose DOT date code shows they have already sat in storage for years
- Wheels with a load rating below the tire's maximum load or with the wrong lug-nut seat
- Running ST tires below the sidewall's cold inflation pressure
Questions
Can I put LT tires on my travel trailer instead of ST?
Sometimes. The LT tire must still meet the axle's load requirement at its size, and an LT tire usually carries less than an ST tire of the same size, so you often have to go up a size or load range and confirm it fits the wheel and the wheel well.
My tires still have plenty of tread, do I need to replace them?
Possibly yes. Check the DOT date code and look for sidewall cracking, because RV tires usually fail from age and UV damage long before the tread wears out.