When it comes to RV travel, choosing the right tires is super important–not only for safety but for comfortability as well. We all want a safe and smooth ride! But if you ask fellow RVers what they think is the best RV tire, you’re probably going to get various different answers! It seems like everybody has a favorite!
So, today, we’re walking you through what to look for in a quality tire, as well as giving you our top recommendations for the best RV tires!
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Hercules H901
Budget Option
Sailun S637
Best American Made
Goodyear Endurance
Best Overall
Hercules H901
The Hercules H901 takes our top award for the best RV tires because they are rugged, durable, and puncture-resistant.
The tread design allows for better handling in the snow and mud and on wet roads.
In fact, the only potential downside we can mention about the Hercules H901 is that they’re not made in America, which most RVers prefer.
Pros
- All-steel commercial tire
- 72-month warranty
- Tread design
Cons
- Not American-made
Budget Option
Sailun S637
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly RV tire option, check out the Sailun S637. This all-steel tire advertises maximum strength and load capacity. They work well with heavy loads and have a solid speed rating.
While affordable, it’s important to mention that these tires were not made in the US and have gained a reputation for being more prone to blowouts and bubbles.
Pros
- Budget option
- Good tire for the price
Cons
- Not American-made
Best American Made
Goodyear Endurance
When you want a good old-fashioned, American-made RV tire, Goodyear Endurance is an excellent option.
Goodyear has been manufacturing tires since 1898. And while not all Goodyear tires are made in America, the Endurance tires are.
Goodyear has developed several technologies to make their tires the best for your driving experience, including Durawall technology that makes the sidewalls more resistant to cuts and punctures.
Pros
- Made in America
- Latest technologies for the best driving experience
Cons
- Reports of lower fuel mileage
Best for Class B or C Motorhomes
Bridgestone Duravis
Class B and C motorhomes are built on truck or van chassis and tend to be much lighter than other RVs. That means you can use light truck tires rather than the special trailer RV tires.
Even though they are classified as LT tires, the Bridgestone Duravis is heavy-duty enough to take on the weight of your motorhome and its cargo, while the mild tread helps make for a quieter drive.
Pros
- Heavy-duty LT tire
- Quieter ride
Cons
- Not the best traction in wet or slippery conditions
Best for Class A Motorhomes
Michelin XZA
In complete contrast to a Class B or C Motorhome, your Class A is built on a semi-truck chassis. This means it’s heavy and needs super heavy-duty RV tires.
When it comes to the best RV tires for Class A motorhomes, our top pick is the Michelin XZA.
This tire is used by major trucking companies with equipment that runs over a million miles a year. It can be trusted to keep your home on wheels safe.
Pros
- 20-ply super semi-truck tire
- Offer free on-site mobile installation
Cons
- Price
RV Tires Buyer’s Guide
On the side of every RV tire, you’ll find important information that tells you all you need to know about that tire. Let’s take a look at what all those numbers and letters mean, using the Hercules H901 from our fifth wheel as an example.
Size
The first group of letters and numbers on the side of your RV tires will look something like ST235/85R16.
The ST refers to the vehicle type. ST indicates these tires are “special trailer” tires. Special trailer tires are more heavy-duty and can handle the loaded weight of your RV.
The 235 is the width of your tire in millimeters. This is a standard size for a 16” trailer tire.
The next number, 85, is the height of the tire as a percentage of the width. That doesn’t mean your tire is 85 mm high. It means that your tire is 85% of the 235 mm width. Confusing, I know!
The letter R indicates that your tire is a radial tire.
The final number, 16 in this case, is the size of the rim that your tire will be mounted on.
Be sure to check your owner’s manual and purchase the correct type and size of tire for your RV.
Load Rating
Arguably, this is the most important information on your RV tire. The load rating tells how much weight your tires are capable of carrying safely. In this case, 4080 lbs single and 3640 lbs dual.
Next to the load rating, you’ll find the recommended PSI inflation for your tires.
Your owner’s manual will be able to tell you the maximum gross weight and tire inflation for your particular RV.
DOT Numbers
The letters DOT on your RV tire indicate you’re getting a tire that meets the Department of Transportation’s guidelines. The next set of letters and numbers indicates the tire manufacturer and size code.
The most important number on this part of your RV tire is the last four-digit code. This is the date your tire was manufactured. The first two numbers indicate the week, and the last two are the year.
In our example, these tires were manufactured in the 5th week of 2020.
For safety’s sake, RV tires should be replaced at least every five years, even if you’re RV doesn’t see that much road time. The tire itself will start to break down and dry rot, which can lead to a catastrophic event on the highway.
FAQs
How can I help prevent a tire blowout?
Every morning, before hitting the road, do a pre-trip inspection. Check your tires for bubbles. The easiest way to check the pressure in your tires is with an onboard tire pressure monitoring system.
Do I need to rotate my tires?
Unless you’re driving a Class A, B, or C motorhome, the answer is probably no.
If you put a lot of miles on your RV tires and replace them due to wear, rotating them is a good idea. But, for most RVers, their tires break down and crack from dry rot before they need to be rotated.
Wrapping up the Best RV Tires
There you have it, probably more information than you wanted to know about RV tires. When choosing your tires, ensure you’re purchasing the correct size tire, and always be sure to check the load rating and the date they were manufactured.
For more RV safety tips, check out our RV safety page at Beyond the Tent.
- About the Author
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Melissa Goins is a lifelong resident of Indiana and currently resides on a 15-acre homestead with her family where she has lived full-time stationary in a 2000 Travel Supreme fifth wheel for the past two years.
She has always loved traveling and in 2000 she and her husband purchased a fully self-contained semi truck and hit the road with their two kids, visiting all 48 contiguous United States and learning about our amazing country along the way.
Melissa has learned a lot about living full-time in an RV over the past two years and loves sharing tips and tricks with others — which is why she loves writing for Beyond the Tent. From staying cool in the summer to preparing for winter, to cooking Thanksgiving dinner for 12 in an RV, there’s so much to learn, enjoy, and share Beyond the Tent.
When she’s not writing or enjoying the great outdoors, Melissa loves to spend time with her family. She is a proud wife, mom, and grandma to three beautiful grandbabies.