Tyres are one of the most important purchases you’ll make for your motorhome and there’s a great deal more to these rings of rubber than you’d suspect, as Peter Rosenthal explains
in depth
Of all the safety elements on your motorhome, the tyres are one of the most important. These four hoops of rubber control how your 3500kg ’van behaves on the road and how it stops, corners and accelerates.
They lead a tough life, pummelled by potholes, drenched in rain and baked in sun, then rotated at high speeds on the motorway. And all they ask is to be kept at the correct tyre pressure and given the odd safety check.
They are a much misunderstood component of your vehicle and if you only ever buy replacements based on price, this article should help explain why tyres are the one thing that I believe you should never scrimp on.
MODERN TYRE TECHNOLOGY
The technology that goes into a modern branded tyre is far more advanced than you’d suspect, and they are technically quite a complex bit of engineering.
The premium brands – such as Michelin, Continental, Goodyear, Pirelli and Bridgestone – all use the latest technology in their tyres. This can include antioxidants that resist UV degradation, multilayered carcasses, motorhome-specific tread patterns and up to 30 different kinds of rubber.
Some will even vary the compound of the rubber across the tread width, often using stiffer grades of rubber at the edges (to resist body roll) and softer compounds in the centre to give better grip. They are far more complex to engineer than you might imagine.
Mid-range brands – such as Uniroyal and Hankook – are often (but not always) sub-brands of the premium companies.
At the lower end, meanwhile, budget and low-cost tyres sometimes lag behind in technology. While they still have to reach minimum safety requirements, some will use cheaper materials that could wear out more quickly. They can give inferior grip in wet and dry conditions and can potentially increase your stopping distance.
Tyre remoulds are also available. These use an old casing, which is machined down and checked, and then has new rubber moulded onto it. These will usually meet stringent safety standards, and are great for off-road vehicles and tractors, but I wouldn’t personally choose to use them on my motorhome.
TYRE SIDEWALL LETTERING
When you come
