By Cheri Sicard
One of my favorite RV vloggers, Duane, a certified RV inspector with the RV Inspection and Care YouTube channel, has produced a short video with three tips for how to make your RV tires last longer.
There is a lot riding on your RV’s tires, including the safety of yourself and your family, so it only makes sense to take care of them so they can take care of you.
Some components on an RV simply have to be replaced from time to time, and tires are one of them. Even if the tread looks good. I learned this the hard way after a truck tire blowout when I unknowingly bought a truck from CarMax that came outfitted with tires older than the truck.
The same goes for your RV tires. Duane rightfully points out that the vast majority of RV tires don’t wear out, they age out. Over time the sidewalls can dry out and crack, and that is where problems can come in.
So the goal is to keep your RV tire sidewalls supple and moist.
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Three important methods for how to make RV tires last longer
#1 Sun protection
It turns out that the sun’s UV rays, more than anything else, are responsible for premature tire damage. Duane recommends a product called 303 Aerospace Protectant to guard against UV ray tire damage. Duane demonstrates how to use it. He recommends treating your tires once a month.
#2 Cover for long-term storage
Covering your RV tires also helps protect them against the sun’s damage. Duane recommends light-colored covers as these also reflect the heat, and heat can also dry the moisture from tires.
#3 Put a tire pad underneath the tires
If your RV is going to be sitting for any length of time, it is a good idea to put a tire pad underneath the tires. Why? When a tire sits in one spot for a while, some of its oils and moisture can seep out and into the ground. Tire pads simply prevent this from happening.
Duane stresses that in addition to these tips, you should regularly make sure that your RV tires are properly inflated, and you should also do frequent visual inspections of them.
If you have additional tire longevity tips, please drop them in the comments below.
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One of best things you can do is drive or tow your RV at least once a month far enough to get the tires hot. Doing so releases the protective compounds that are built into the tires to the exterior of the tire. Keeping them clean with a mild soap and water and out of direct sunlight also help. Use of most so called “protectants” actually deteriorate the tires as most contain petroleum based, silicone, alcohol, and other ingredients that actually harm the tires and cause premature aging. The 303 Aerospace mentioned is one of the only protectants that does actually protect things, however, most tire manufacturers recommend you only keep them clean with soap and water and rinse well.
so a tire pad STOPS the oil and moisture seepage? huh? care to try again?
I keep my tires up off the ground with jackstands in addition to everything you said.
What about the spare tire? Good idea to keep it covered, sprayed and protected. When you’re replacing your RV tires do you replace the spare even if it’s never been used?
5 to 7 years is max for all tires no matter how they’re stored and covered. sure you can get a longer time but at what cost to you and others on hway. nothing you put on them like a tire dressing will help with the tire age. it will make the tire look better but age is the issue