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How Much do Motorhome Tires Cost?

This is close look at a man on a camping trip with his motorhome.

A definitive answer does not exist for the cost of motorhome tires because each different class of motorhome uses different tires and that influences the cost. The typical range consists of tires for about $86 each to nearly $400 each. You might think that is a lot of money, but compare it to the amount you spent to purchase your RV. The four to six tires on your vehicle keep it on the road and safely motoring along.

A tire for your towable trailer or a popup camper costs less than those for a Class A motorcoach which uses heavy-duty tires similar to those on 18-wheeler trucks. Tires must accommodate the entire weight of a vehicle. The largest and heaviest of the motorhome classes, a Class A motorhome supports many thousands of pounds. It does not only refer to vehicle weight but also must support the weight of occupants and contents. For a typical family of four, that means a weight of between 650 and 750 pounds. Adding luggage and items like a microwave and portable fans tallies that up to nearly 1,000 added pounds.

You need hearty tires for all that weight. Out of the five common RV types, you will find towable trailer tires also known as travel trailer tires the cheapest. Those for a Class A RV cost the most. At no time can you interchange the tires of a smaller type of vehicle for a larger type. You feasibly could use a Class A type tire on a towable, but the opposite would not work.

Related: Types of RV Tires | RV and Camper Brands | How Much RV Rent for a Week | RV Storage Options | Lightweight Campers

How Much Do Class A Motorhome Tires Cost?

While a handful of choices exist costing less than $150 each, these options weigh less, provide weaker tread width and smaller section widths. They have less inflation pressure than the heartier brands. You will spend about $300 per tire for tires for a Class A motorhome. You can nab a better deal on certain websites or if you purchase them during a sale, but it is not likely that you will catch a sale on just when you need tires. Some brands like Deerstone and Continental produce cheaper tires. Tire quality makes the biggest difference in price. Class A RV tires support between 15,000 to 30,000 pounds and an RV of 30 to 40 feet in length.

You can find tires in the Class A range for any budget. Consider the following:

  • Deerstone D902 8.75x-16.5 DS1290 for $86
  • Firestone Transforce HT Highway 235x75R15 104R for $125
  • Continental ContiTrac 235/70-16 for $127
  • Samson Radial GL283A 8/R19.5 124L for $138
  • Hankook AH11 8/R19.5 L for $209
  • Roadmaster RM253 245/7OR19.5 136M for $237
  • Michelin XRV 225/70R19.5 58916 for $306
  • Yokohama TY303 255/70R22.L 30312 for $313
  • Goodyear G670 RV ULT LT225/70R19.5 B for $376
  • Toyo M154 265/75R22.5 138L for $382

The Average Cost of Class B Tires

A motorhome parked on the side of the dirt road to a mountain camp site.

You could describe Class B RV tires as very hearty car or truck tires. They can support between 6,000 to 8,000 pounds and RVs of 17 to 19 feet in length. These small RVs require large, but not too large tires. You need a size that does not intrude into the open space of the wheel wells. If the tire is too large it will also increase your fuel use plus you put yourself at risk for a tire blowout. A few affordable, yet quality options exist for this size tire with all options costing less than $150 each:

  • Hankook 185R14 for $75
  • Federal 185R14C for $76
  • Achilles 225/70R15 (Commercial Sprinter) for $91
  • Federal 225/7015 (Commercial Sprinter) for $121
  • Nokian 225/7015C (Commercial Sprinter) for $144
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The Average Cost of Class C Motorhome Tires

This is a close look at a class C motorhome parked at a camp site.

Your Class C RV tires fall in between the Class A and C tires. They can support between 10,000 to 12,000 pounds and RVs up to 30 feet in length. These mid-sized tires won’t cost you as much as Class A tires, but you won’t find them as cheap as Class B tires either. For this class of RVs, you can find a few affordable, yet quality options with a per tire cost of less than $250:

  • Ironman 225/70R19.5 for $163
  • Thunderer 225/70R19.5 mid-size for $163
  • Milestar 225/70R19.5 mid-size for $208
  • Kumho 225/70R19.5 mid-size KRS03 for $229

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you change a Class A motorhome tire?

You will need more than one hand jack for raising the RV high enough off of the ground safely to change this type of tire. If you have an RV leveler, you can use just one. Let’s use the two-jack method since it’s more likely that you have that equipment in your RV.

  • 1.       Turn off your RV completely.
  • 2.       Set your emergency brake.
  • 3.       Place one of the jacks at the front wheel.
  • 4.       Place the second jack at the back wheel. (When you use an RV leveler, place it between the two wheels.)
  • 5.       Double-check the security of the method used to raise the vehicle.
  • 6.       Raise the RV in the back first using the jack or leveler, stopping when the back tire and RV frame bump each other.
  • 7.       Raise the RV in front next using the jack, stopping when the front tire and RV frame bump each other.
  • 8.       Raise the front jack three more notches exactly.
  • 9.       Raise the back jack three more notches exactly. This should lift the tire above the ground, so it does not touch the driveway or road surface at all.
  • 10.   Spin the tire manually to ensure you raised the RV high enough.
  • 11.   Lock the jacks in place once the tire is completely off of the ground.
  • 12.   Remove the tire you will replace by loosening its lug nuts using a wrench.
  • 13.   Set the lug nuts aside for later use.
  • 14.   Pull the tire off of the RV.
  • 15.   Set the new tire into the place of the old one in the wheel well.
  • 16.   Secure the new tire using the lug nuts.
  • 17.   Lower the RV using the reverse of the method you used to raise it. Start with the rear jack and move to the front one, etc. You simply lower it slowly using the leveler, if that was the device you used.
  • 18.   Remove the jacks or leveler.
  • 19.   Take the emergency brake off.
  • 20.   You can start your RV and get back on the road for a new adventure!

Is it really that easy to change the RV tire?

Yes and no. You typically need a power tool to remove the lug nuts. If you bought new or had the tires changed at the shop, they used electrical tools to tighten the lug nuts, and those suckers will not come off using hand tools.

You also need to make the entire change without getting under the RV. If a jack or the leveler slips out, the RV’s weight would crush you.

Can you store a spare Class A tire while you travel?

Not really. The tire on a Class A motorhome weighs quite a bit. An older RV from the 1980s might have space on the rear outside wall for a temporary spare tire, but on modern RVs, this gets left off. Not only would you have a tough time finding a place for your extra tire, but you would also need to unmount it, plus partially deflate it just to fit it inside your vehicle.

Class A tire weighs about 100 pounds with a diameter of 37-inches, a width of 11 inches, and the eight-inch rim width. Your child probably takes up less space than this tire. So, you could purchase these ahead of time and store them at home but taking one on the road with you really is not an option.

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Why give up that space for luggage to haul a tire instead because you would need to trade off something so that you did not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), the maximum amount of mass or weight the RV can handle which includes inside, on top of it, and towing behind. Its’ parts and body also contribute to the GVW.

What is the simplest solution to changing a flat RV tire?

Call the auto club. Really. Phone AAA. You can have the vehicle towed to a tire shop where you can purchase an appropriate tire, and have it installed while you wait or while you enjoy lunch somewhere in town. Let a professional mechanic handle everything. They have the equipment to successfully raise the vehicle to an appropriate height safely. The pro mechanic will also have the proper tools to change the tire.

How can you make your tires last longer?

Conducts regular tire maintenance to make your tires last longer. Use the appropriate size and type of tire for your RV. You might get your RV to limp along on an inappropriate tire, but you will damage the other three tires in the process. That is because they must take up the slack of the too-small tire. This causes uneven tread wear on the tires.

If you drive for too long on the wrong size tire you can cause it too to blow out. Driving too fast on a wrong-sized tire or on a temporary space (donut). Check your RV’s owner’s manual for size considerations. It will tell you which class of tires it requires and provide the vehicle’s size, plus the needed sidewall strength, load rating, and weight requirements of a tire.

Clean your tires at the end of each trip or after a weather event. This removes mud and dirt that can harm the anti-ozone, antioxidant compounds, and tire dressing of your tires. Avoid cleaning them too often though as this can cause them to crack or rot. Rotate your tires every six months, so you can limit tread wear. This requires a trip to the mechanic.

What should you do when you buy a used RV?

Of course, you looked at them before you bought them. Maybe you even kicked them literally, but that does not tell you their model year. Yes, tires have model years, too. You need to make sure that no matter how they look while parked that they aren’t too old. Find the 13 thirteen-digit number on each tire and look it up on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or US Department of Transportation (USDOT) website.

This Tire Identification Numbers (TIN) or the DOT number tells you the age of the tire. Its first few digits denote the week of manufacture and the next set represents the year. Some DOT numbers only have three or four numbers. The three-digit numbers denote tires made in the 1990s, so you really need new tires! RV tires only last up to seven years and most wear down the tread in just five years.

How do you store your RV at the end of the season?

You need to winterize your RV. With respect to your RV’s tires, this means you remove the tires. Place each tire on a slab of wood matching its size of at least one tire.

How often should you inspect your RV tires?

As RV season begins, you should inspect your RV tires. Conduct the penny test on the tread. Examine them for any cracks. A crack indicates that the tire has begun to rot. You need to replace the tire. Put your tire back on the RV. Check the tire pressure, too. Add air to any tire that is not at the appropriate pounds per square inch (PSI).

How often should you check your tire pressure?

Use an inflation gauge to check the air pressure in your tires. Using an angled dual foot pressure gauge works best when testing many tires. Ideally, you would test the tires each day, but at least weekly is enough. Make sure all the tires are inflated to the proper PSI noted on the tire. If one is higher, you need to release some air pressure from the tire. If one is lower than the others, you should add air to increase its air pressure to the proper PSI. Never drive or even park your vehicle with underinflated tires. Also, do not overfill them.

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What damages an RV tire?

Driving on it damages the tread, but these tires also incur damage when parked. Temperature extremes or sunlight exposure can cause wear. That is why you should remove them from the RV and store them in a cool, dry, but not arid place.

Does my pop-up trailer or towable take special tires, too?

Yes, your popup trailer or towable trailer needs special trailer (ST) tires. These accommodate the trailer’s weight plus what you haul on it. These have reinforced or stronger sidewalls than regular tires. These cost less than Class A, B, and C tires, but still not as little as typical car or truck tires.

When do you use tire covers?

While you should remove your tires to winterize your vehicles, you would slip-on tire covers to protect your RV rubber investment while it is parked between outings. A tire wheel cover helps protect wheels from temperature extremes and sunlight overexposure. These covers cost about $20 to $30.

Can you use semi-trailer tires or light truck (LT) tires on an RV or trailer?

That is a no. That is a resounding no with no exceptions. A light truck tire can only support a three-quarter-ton truck. They cannot handle the weight of a pop-up trailer or a trailer with a full load. They definitely cannot haul significantly more than that, so you cannot use them on the RV.

What considerations are there in purchasing a replacement tire for a motorhome?

You need to make a choice between bias tires and radial tires. Radial tires use steel belts running at a 90-degree angle that lets them gain traction better and provides increased stability. Radial tires have flexible sidewalls for reduced rolling resistance and fuel consumption with longer tire life. These cost a little more.

Bias tires use nylon belts running at a 30- to a 45-degree angle. Because they have stronger sidewalls, these tires can support more weight but do not last as long. A bias tire could easily become a blown tire if used on Class A through C motorhome. It is only suitable for use on a fifth-wheel or travel trailer. Bias tires cost less, but they only work well for short, rough road trips.

Where can you get an RV trailer tire on the road?

Let’s say you have a flat while on the road. You need a tire change and a new tire pronto. Since the Michelin man won’t saunter up with the ideal Michelin tire for your RV, you use your smartphone to find the nearest Walmart or Costco, or Sam’s.

These massive chain stores have locations throughout the US and Canada, so regardless of where you travel, you can probably find the RV tire you need. You can find major brands at each option including Toyo Tires and Michelin tires. In addition to the radial tire to match your existing set, you can pick up a tire cover set to protect your tires once you reach your campsite. These tire shops sell you the tire, change it for you, and dispose of your old tire.

While it might be tempting to use an independent tire shop, your best bet of having in stock the right tire to match your motorhome’s tires comes from a chain, which carries a massive selection and can have a tire sent over from another local store if needed. They can also conduct a tire rotation and wheel alignment to make your travel safer after the new tire gets installed.

References:

Togo RV: How to Decide If You Need New RV Tires—and How Much It’ll Cost

Camper Grid: How to buy best RV tire (And average RV tire cost)

Crow Survival: How Much Does it Cost to Replace RV Tires – Class A, B, C & Travel Trailers