Leave your doubts in the dust with this roundup of the best tire options.
Manufacturers say you should replace tires every seven years even if you haven’t driven many miles on them. Okay, you’d probably expect them to say something like that, but when you consider the size of your RV investment, the last thing you want is an accident due to a blowout. Here’s a handy review of over a dozen different tires for motor coaches and travel trailers.
Better tread. Less filling.
We’ve stayed away from poorly reviewed tires; you wouldn’t want to buy those anyway. Instead, this list is the best of the best.
We’ve broken it down by tires typically used for Class A, B & C motor coaches (“Light truck” or LT tires) and those used on travel trailers (“Special Trailer” or ST tires.) LT tires tend to have better traction because they have to handle the turning and acceleration, while trailer tires just need to bear the travel trailer’s weight.
2019 Top Light Truck (LT) Tires
Boto Tyres BT926 Radial Tire
This tire provides a noise-free environment along with complete control and stability. Its tread pattern makes sure the tire’s performance doesn’t suffer in a rainstorm, and it offers reliable mileage for both short and long-haul applications. Price online runs around $175.
Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT All-season Radial Tire
This tire’s tread keeps noise down, offers lower rolling resistance to enhance fuel efficiency, and provides a high degree of comfort. It also offers excellent traction at an affordable price. Its downsides are that it comes in a limited range of sizes and it’s not all that great on snow and ice. Price online runs around $175.
Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor Pro Radial Tire
With an affordable price, this tire is excellent on snowy, wet roads. Its thick treads and sidewalls add toughness and reduce road noise, while the rim protector helps reduce accidental curb damage. The Durawall technology on its sidewall helps reduce tears and punctures. Downside: on certain RVs, it has been known to provide a bumpy ride. Price online runs around $180.
Goodyear G614 Unisteel RST Radial Tire
If you’re looking to invest in an outstanding RV tire, this Goodyear option is not to be passed over. Made with heavy-duty materials, it also incorporates innovative features designed to improve performance and prolong its life. With reinforced rubber compounds, lateral grooves, and rib edge sipes, it provides excellent traction in both dry and wet conditions. Only downside is it’s a bit pricey. Price online runs around $320.
Michelin XPS RIB Truck Radial Tire
The strong, durable steel casing on this tire helps to provide longer wear life, and its steel reinforced construction makes it very durable and sturdy. The low rolling resistance helps with fuel economy, and the tread design provides both stability and traction. However, it doesn’t get very good grades on snow and ice. Price online runs around $270.
Hankook AH12 Radial Tire
The grooves in this tire’s tread help expel water to enhance the tire’s grip and prevent hydroplaning during rainstorms. The sipes incorporated in the tire help improve all-weather traction, and the belt structure reduces the heat generation. Additionally, the optimized carcass structure ensures better handling. The downside is that while this is an outstanding tire, it comes with a hefty price tag. Price online runs around $325.
Bridgestone Duravis M700 Radial Tire
Like to boondock? Then this just may be the tire for you because of its excellent traction on and off road in dry, wet, and wintery conditions. Reviews of this tire also noted the beefy structure of the tire, which uses twin steel belts and spirally wound nylon for its reinforcements, boosting the tire’s ability to resist punctures and bruises. Note, however, that a wheel is not included with the purchase of this tire, and it’s not the best in heavy snow. Price online runs around $220.
The ROAD WARRIOR 11R22.5 Steer Radial Tire
This is another tire that has reviewers’ tongues wagging. It’s a top pick for class C RVs—or any other class for that matter. It’s a heavy-duty tire that provides a high load capacity (6,600 lbs. for single; 5,995 lbs. for dual). It also provides strong traction on the road with excellent side slip resistance. Made from a heavy-duty compound, this tire will last a long time. Price online (for two) runs around $570.
2019 Top Special Trailer (ST) Tires
Sailun S637 Trailer Radial Tire
This tire’s wide tread face offers better stability and handling. It also provides better fuel efficiency due to low rolling resistance. The tire offers excellent traction in wet conditions, and the multi-sipes help keep the tire’s temperature low, which promotes longer life. Downside? The sidewall has been known to bulge out. Price online runs around $150.
Goodyear Unisteel G614 RST Radial Tire
These tires can withstand the pressure of even the most significant, demanding trailer applications. They come in a wide variety of sizes, and the shallow tread pattern helps reduce the risk of heat damage. They’re also great in driving conditions such as rain or snow. Downside is their hefty price. Price online runs around $320.
Trailer King ST Radial Trailer Tire
The center groove on this tire allows it to track and remain consistently stable. It also provides a smooth ride that can handle just about any weather condition. Its strength and durability ensure that it can withstand adverse driving conditions, and the shoulder design helps dissipate heat exceptionally well. However, with heavier loads, they can wear out faster. Price online runs around $55.
Carlisle Radial Trail HD Trailer Tire
This tire works with a wide range of applications, and its distinctive tread pattern encourages even wear and tear. It offers a long tire life, reliable performance, and limited road noise. It also offers added defense against the heat with a built-in weathering and ozone protection. Downside on certain RVs: difficult installation. Price online runs around $75.
Freestar M-108 Radial Trailer Tire
For a decent price of around $70, this tire offers a complex rubber compound that makes it stronger and more durable than most. It also has a refined tread and cooling layout as well as deep groves to help expel water. It also offers outstanding traction and grip. The downside is that the tire’s sidewall has been known to bulge. Price online runs around $70.
Maxxis M8008 Radial Trailer Tire
Reviewers of this RV trailer tire found its overall build most impressive, a build that offers strong, sturdy long-hauling capacity. This guarantees that you can enjoy long tread life as well as a smooth ride. With its advanced tread compound and belted construction, it’s capable of hauling even the heaviest loads. It’s got a low rolling resistance, which improves its life as well as its fuel efficiency. As with the Bridgestone, however, the wheel is not included with the tire purchase. Price online runs around $200.
Gladiator 20575R15 ST 205/75R15 REINFORCED Trailer Truck Tire
Looking for a trailer tire that spent way too much time in the gym? This is your boy. These 8-ply RV tires from Gladiator are built to be really heavy-duty. Their steel-belted design and construction make them appropriate for use in even the most demanding situations. Price online runs around $65.
Don’t blow it.
As we mentioned earlier, these are the best of the best. You can certainly go cheap if you want, but keep in mind the risks you’re running. A blown tire can do major damage beyond your wheel well, to the trim of your RV—or worse, it could risk your safety and those around you if it causes an accident. Make sure your roadside assistance plan includes tire service with repair and replacement options.
Do yourself and the other drivers on the road a favor: don’t go cheap. We’re not saying you need to buy the most expensive tires out there. Just remember when you buy the cheapest product, you usually get what you pay for.
Want to learn more about RV tires? Then cruise on over to our other articles for all the information you can handle on how and where to buy them, common sizes, warranties, and more.
