When it comes to caravan safety, your tyres are one of the most important things to keep in check. Tyres are the only point of contact between your caravan and the road, so they’re crucial for ensuring you, your passengers, and other drivers are safe.
Taking care of your tyres isn’t just about staying safe—it’s a legal requirement too. Neglecting them could lead to accidents, fines, or even invalidated insurance, so it’s important to stay on top of them. In this guide, we’ll explore what you need to know about caravan tyre safety, including the legal minimum tread depth for caravan tyres, how to check tyre condition, and practical tips to keep them in good shape.
What is the legal minimum tread depth for caravan tyres?
According to GOV.UK, the legal minimum tread depth for caravan tyres in the UK is 1.6mm. This covers the central three-quarters of the tyre’s width and all the way around its circumference.
Having enough tread on your tyres is critical for safe towing. It provides the grip you need for stability and control, especially on wet or slippery roads. Without it, you’re much more likely to experience reduced traction, longer stopping distances, and an increased risk of accidents.
To stay safe and compliant, you should check your tyres regularly to ensure they meet the tread requirements. A quick inspection can make all the difference for your peace of mind and safety while towing.
Why is the safety of my caravan tyres important?
Tyres in good condition help your caravan respond properly when you need to brake or steer, so they play a huge role in keeping you safe on the road. They support the weight of your caravan, maintain stability, and ensure smooth handling, even in tricky conditions.
Ignoring tyre health can lead to serious problems. Worn or damaged tyres make your caravan harder to control and can cause swaying or uneven towing. They’re also more prone to blowouts, which can be both dangerous and expensive to fix.
Investing time in tyre maintenance protects your safety and helps extend your tyre’s lifespan, saving you money in the long run.
How often should I check my caravan tyres?
Generally, you should inspect your caravan tyres at least once a month to make sure they’re in good condition. Regular checks help you spot any signs of wear, damage, or other issues that could risk safety. If you’re planning a long journey, it’s even more important to thoroughly inspect tyres before you set off.
Look for things like tread wear, cracks, bulges, or objects stuck in the tread. Don’t forget to check the tyre pressure too—proper inflation is essential for safe towing. Taking a few minutes to inspect your tyres regularly can save you a lot of trouble later, keeping you safe and confident on the road.
How long do caravan tyres last before they need replacing?
There isn’t a set time for when tyres need replacing. How long it takes depends on how they’re used and looked after.
Various factors can influence tyre longevity, including:
- Frequency of use: Caravans used often experience more wear and tear, which can shorten tyre life. However, even caravans stored for long periods can face issues like cracking or flat spots due to inactivity.
- Storage conditions: Tyres stored in a garage or covered with a protective shield are less exposed to harmful UV rays and extreme temperatures. Prolonged exposure to sunlight and weather accelerates rubber degradation.
- Mileage: The more miles you tow your caravan, the faster the tread wears down, which can reduce the tyre’s lifespan.
- Road conditions: Rough or uneven roads put extra strain on tyres, causing faster wear.
- Load: Overloading the caravan puts undue stress on the tyres, leading to premature damage.
Even if tyres appear in good condition, manufacturers generally recommend replacing them every five to seven years as the rubber naturally deteriorates over time. Consider getting a professional tyre check annually to help identify potential issues.
What PSI should caravan tyres be?
Having the correct PSI is crucial for safe towing. The right PSI for your caravan depends on a few things, such as the caravan’s load, tyre type, and towing capacity.
To work out the PSI for your caravan tyres:
- Read the manufacturer’s guide: Your caravan handbook will specify the recommended PSI for fully loaded conditions. Always ensure you don’t exceed the maximum pressure indicated on the tyre sidewall.
- Consider your caravan’s load: Weigh your caravan when fully loaded, including luggage, water, and any additional equipment. Ensure it doesn’t exceed the tyre’s load rating.
- Adjust PSI accordingly: Tyre pressure may need to be increased if carrying a heavier load or reduced for a lighter one. For example, if your caravan handbook recommends 50 PSI for a fully loaded caravan weighing 1,200kg, but your actual load is 1,000kg, you may need slightly less pressure.
For more guidance, read our helpful caravan tyre pressure guide.
What is the maximum weight for caravan tyres?
The maximum weight for caravan tyres depends on your caravan’s load rating, which is marked on the tyre sidewall as a “load index". This index tells you the maximum weight each tyre can safely bear when inflated to the recommended pressure.
Remember, if you’re carrying a heavier load, tyres need to be inflated to a higher PSI. However, it’s important to get this right. Under-inflation can reduce the tyre’s weight capacity, leading to overheating and potential blowouts. Similarly, over-inflation can make tyres less stable, which may affect handling.
To calculate the right PSI for your caravan tyres, follow these steps:
- Determine the caravan’s fully loaded weight.
- Divide the total weight by the number of tyres.
- Check that the load index of your tyres meets or exceeds this requirement.
- Adjust the PSI as needed to accommodate the weight.
Are caravan tyres the same as car tyres?
At first glance, caravan tyres may look like car tyres, but they’re designed with specific features to handle the unique demands of towing. Unlike car tyres, caravan tyres are built to support higher loads, endure prolonged periods of storage, and remain stable under towing forces.
The key difference lies in the load rating and structural reinforcements. Caravan tyres typically have a higher load rating to carry the weight of the caravan and its contents, distributing this weight safely and evenly. This makes them more robust than standard car tyres.
While it might be tempting to fit car tyres onto a caravan, doing so can lead to significant issues, such as overloading and instability. Car tyres aren’t designed to carry the heavy weight of a caravan, so they will likely fail. They also can’t handle towing forces, which can make steering less stable, especially at higher speeds or on uneven terrain.
Do caravan tyres need balancing?
Unlike car tyres, caravan wheels usually aren’t balanced. This is usually because a caravan’s weight distribution is more static compared to a car, which experiences dynamic weight shifts during driving. However, balancing caravan tyres can still offer valuable benefits, particularly if you travel frequently or cover long distances.
Benefits of balancing caravan tyres:
- Reduced vibration: Balanced tyres minimise, leading to a smoother towing experience.
- Improved stability: Balanced tyres enhance the caravan's overall stability, which can be especially noticeable when towing at higher speeds.
- Even tyre wear: Balancing helps distribute wear evenly across the tyre’s surface, extending its lifespan and reducing the need for early replacements.
- Protection for suspension and bearings: By reducing vibration, balancing helps prevent unnecessary strain on the caravan’s suspension system and wheel bearings. This helps to keep these components in good condition for longer.
General caravan tyre safety tips
Caravan tyres play a critical role in ensuring your journeys are smooth and safe. However, they endure significant stress from towing, long periods of storage, and varying loads, which can lead to wear and tear over time. Regular maintenance and vigilance are essential to avoid issues on the road and keep your caravan in top condition.
Here's how to keep your tyres safe:
- Inspect tyres monthly: Regularly check for signs of wear and tear, such as cracks, bulges, cuts, or low tread depth. Replace tyres with visible damage or a tread depth below 1.6mm to stay compliant with UK road safety regulations.
- Monitor tyre pressure: Always check and adjust tyre pressure before each trip to ensure it matches the load being carried. Under- or over-inflation can lead to poor handling and increase the risk of blowouts.
- Replace tyres regularly: Even if they appear in good condition, tyres should be replaced every five to seven years due to rubber degradation.
- Carry a spare tyre: Ensure you always have a spare in good condition and correctly inflated. It can be a real lifeline in the event of a puncture or tyre failure during a journey.
- Store tyres properly: When not in use, store your caravan tyres in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent cracking or degradation. Using wheel stands can also help prevent flat spots during long storage periods.
- Avoid overloading: Overloading puts unnecessary strain on your tyres. Make sure your caravan’s load is evenly distributed and does not exceed the maximum weight specified for your tyres.
- Check after long trips: Long journeys can strain tyres. After each trip, inspect for damage, adjust pressure if needed, and clean off any debris stuck in the treads.
Keep your caravan on the move with dedicated insurance from Lifesure
Maintaining your caravan tyres is just one part of staying safe on the road. Protecting your caravan with suitable insurance is just as important. At Lifesure, our specialist caravan insurance can help to protect you and your caravan from unexpected risks.
Whether it’s cover for accidental damage, theft, or other unforeseen events, our policies can help keep you protected. We also offer dedicated caravan breakdown insurance with RAC to help with roadside assistance if your caravan breaks down while on your journey. To learn more or to get a quote, get in touch with our team today. Call us on 01480 402 460 or fill in our online form to find out how we could help protect your caravan adventures.
Disclaimer: The sole purpose of this article is to provide guidance on the issues covered. This article is not intended to give legal advice, and, accordingly, it should not be relied upon. It should not be regarded as a comprehensive statement of the law and/or market practice in this area. We make no claims as to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained herein or in the links which were live at the date of publication. You should not act upon (or should refrain from acting upon) information in this publication without first seeking specific legal and/or specialist advice. Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited trading as Lifesure accepts no liability for any inaccuracy, omission or mistake in this publication, nor will we be responsible for any loss which may be suffered as a result of any person relying on the information contained herein.
