A campervan trip is the perfect way to enjoy a holiday adventure. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway in a charming corner of your own country or a multi-week road trip across Europe – driving a motorhome gives you a lot of freedom. It is no wonder that this form of holiday has recently seen a strong rise in popularity. Before hitting the road, remember to prepare your vehicle properly. One of the key factors for safe and comfortable driving is choosing the right tyres for your campervan.
Campervans are becoming increasingly popular.
The basis of successful caravanning is well-prepared, reliable and tested equipment. Tyres are the foundation of a motorhome – they are responsible for supporting the several-tonne weight of the vehicle, the transmission of driving force to the ground and braking efficiency.
The character of a campervan presents a much greater challenge for tyres than a car or even a cargo van. For this reason, it is a good idea to invest in special tyres designed for campervans.
What are the characteristics of motorhome tyres?
Campervan tyres need to have certain features to ensure that they can cope with the specific use typical for caravanning. Above all, their construction must be robust enough to cope with heavy loads. Therefore, a fairly high load index is required. The weight of most campervans is around 3-4 tonnes, so you need models with an index exceeding 110, preferably around 116 or higher. A load index of 116 means that the load capacity of one tyre is 1,250 kilograms, therefore the total weight of the vehicle can be four times that value – 5,000 kg.
Caravanning gives you an opportunity to connect with nature. However, the tyres for a campervan must bear the weight of the vehicle not only when it is moving, but also show great resistance to being left/parked in one place for long periods of time. For this reason, the rubber compounds used in their production are very robust and the structures are equipped with a thicker textile layer. As a result, they do not deform even during long inter-seasonal storage periods. The best campervan tyre models are also characterised by high stiffness and reinforced edges.
What are the right tyres for a motorhome?
Which tyres for a campervan should I choose and how do I identify the right ones? Manufacturers provide clear indications in labelling and product names. Models designed for campervans and motorhomes usually have the words ‘Camping’ or ‘Camper’ in their name or the symbol in the form of the letters ‘CP’, which stands for ‘Camping Pneu’ (camping tyre). It is also essential to pay attention to the correct tyre size and the aforementioned load index, as well as the speed rating. It is a good idea to opt for popular and well-rated models, especially from renowned brands such as Continental or Michelin.
Recommended campervan tyre models
The correct tyre pressure in a campervan
Your task does not end with choosing the right tyres for your camper – you also need to give them proper care. Maintaining the correct tyre pressure is important for safe and comfortable driving. It is worth remembering that it should be adjusted depending on the number of passengers and the weight of the luggage in the vehicle. You can check the recommended values in the vehicle manual, on the fuel filler flap or on the side pillar by the driver's door.
What makes air volume so important? The right pressure ensures that the tyres can work properly and wear out more slowly, which translates into grip and adequate temperature. It also makes a difference in fuel consumption, so by ensuring that the tyres are properly inflated, we can also save some money on fuel, especially on long journeys.
You should remember to make sure that the tyres have good pressure at all times when stationary for long periods. Too little pressure could lead to deformation.
Winter tyres for campervans
Although the typical camping season is in spring and summer, many people choose to travel during the winter as well. After all, it is still quite warm in the south of Europe and tourist traffic decreases significantly in autumn and winter, so you can avoid crowds, which is appreciated especially by those who value peace and quiet. The market lacks a wide range of winter tyres designed for campervans. If you do not plan to travel in typical snowy conditions, you can opt for summer or all-season camping tyres with the M+S (Mud and Snow) designation – although these are not all-season models, their manufacturers declare that they should be able to cope with e.g. light snowfall.
Winter cargo-type tyres for delivery vans will prove useful in difficult conditions. On the other hand, if the vehicle is to withstand even very demanding road conditions, there is no choice but to opt for winter cargo tyres (‘C’ designation). These are heavy-duty dedicated delivery van tyres that will also work well on campervans.
Although commercial tyres are not as suited to prolonged stops under heavy loads as the models designated for campervans, this does not matter so much for the winter version, as they are only used seasonally anyway. If we do not need their strictly winter properties for a long time, we can easily swap them, e.g. for a typical camping summer model. When not in use, it is important to remember the rules for proper tyre storage.
Remember!
When going on a campervan journey in winter, make sure that you are well prepared. In addition to the right tyres, it is also a good idea to carry snow chains. They make it possible to drive on very demanding surfaces and can thus really save the whole journey.