When it comes to RV travel, off-road RVing can open up opportunities to explore the wilderness in a whole new way. There’s a unique appeal to adventures that happen when you’re no longer bound by the well-beaten path. That said, just because you have an RV doesn’t mean that you, your RV, or its tires are ready to go off road. Point blank: You need to gear up with all-terrain RV tires. These beefy tires are equipped to take on the job of getting a heavy vehicle through rugged conditions that would knock the wind out of regular tires. After all, it’s safe to say changing a flat tire or getting wheels unstuck in the middle of nowhere is nobody’s idea of a good time.
So , you need all-terrain RV tires. Next question: Which ones?
Let’s take a look at what makes an all-terrain tire and which ones get the biggest props from overland RV enthusiasts.
A Little RV All-Terrain Tire 101
Why You Need All-Terrain Tires on a Towable RV
You might be asking yourself, “Do I really need to get all terrain tires on a travel trailer? Won’t it just follow along on the trails?” The answer to this question comes down to the extent of off-road travel you intend to do. The simple version is this: If you want to tow your RV off the beaten path (or use it in winter driving conditions), all-terrain tires RV are a sound investment.
Aside from being more puncture resistant than regular trailer tires, these specialized tires offer another big advantage when it comes to holding the road. While it might be true that an RV follows the tow vehicle like a puppy the majority of the time, performance in rough terrain is what separates all-terrain tires from their counterparts. When the tow vehicle makes a tight or sudden turn on loose or slippery surfaces (like snow, ice or heavy mud), regular tires allow the trailer to take the path of least resistance. This can mean sliding sideways off a muddy forest service road creating tow vehicle handling issues. (No thank you.)
Features Of All Terrain Tires For RVs
All terrain tires are engineered to hug the road, even under challenging conditions like sand, mud or snow. But it’s more than mere tread patterns that sets these tires apart from more common tires. Here’s what makes all-terrain RV tires better suited for off-road use.
- Open Treaded Design. All terrain tires are designed with a heavy, interlocking tread pattern that provides the grip you need on rocks, mud and other slippery surfaces. However, they’re versatile enough to handle adequately on paved roads too.
- Tough Sidewalls. Some (not all) all-terrain tires have heavily reinforced sidewalls enabling them to carry more weight. This makes them especially well-suited to handle the heavy weight of larger RVs and overlanding rigs.
- All-Season Capability. All-terrain tires that have a three-peak mountain snowflake symbol can double as winter snow tires, making them suitable for year-round use. However, not every all-terrain tire bears this symbol, so it’s a good idea to look for the symbol if your goal is to have an RV that can be used in all four seasons.
Advantages of All-Terrain RV Tires
- Better handling in slippery conditions
- More durable and puncture resistant than street tires
- Versatile for use in all four seasons, on or off roads
Disadvantages of All-Terrain RV Tires
- Can be noisy, especially on motorhomes
- Can result in slightly lower fuel economy, again especially with motorhomes
Key Factors When Buying All-Terrain RV Tires
Tire stores are generally very good at helping you to select the right tires for your vehicle and your intended use. However, when you’re shopping for all terrain tires for your RV there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.
- How do you intend to use them? If you want to take your RV out in snowy conditions, your all-terrain tire needs will be different than those of someone who uses their RV in summer driving months.
- What size tire do you need? Not every all-terrain tire will fit your RV. That said, tires have a stamp on them that gives you the size information.
- What’s your RV’s GVWR? All tires have a load bearing that tells you how much weight the tires can carry. The load rating of the tires should always exceed the GVWR for your RV.
- How fast do you normally drive? Tires have a speed rating that limits how fast you can drive on them. Exceeding this speed rating can make them susceptible to flats. Some RV all-terrain tire speed ratings are as low as 60 miles per hour, so it’s always a good idea to know what speeds a tire is capable of handling before you buy it.
The Most Popular All-Terrain RV Tires
BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2
Outstanding performance and durability have made BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 (and newer KO3) tires a top choice for both overlanding motorhomes and travel trailers. These legendary tires are well known among off roading enthusiasts for exceptional off-road and durability. Not only that, but they have outstanding treadlife and are surprisingly quiet on pavement. These tires have a snowflake stamp, making them a very capable four-season tire.
- Good choice for most RVs that travel on and off-road
- Outstanding durability
- 6-year/50,000-mile warranty
- Price $185-$694 at DiscountTire.com
Goodyear Wrangler AT
Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain adventure tires feature tougher than average sidewalls and deep tread with a tread pattern that helps them achieve good off-road grip, even in snowy conditions. These tires feature a snowflake stamp and are a popular choice for heavier RVs, including both motorhomes and travel trailers.
- Good choice for heavy RVs
- Mud- and snow-rated
- 60,000-mile warranty
- Price: $241 at Goodyear.com
Falken Wildpeak A/T4W
If your RV spends a lot of time on highways, but you also want to tackle a few off-road adventures along the way, Falken Wildpeak A/T3W tires could be a perfect choice. These tires feature tough sidewalls and a deep tread design that makes them capable of handling off-road and all terrain conditions, including heavy snow.
- Good choice for smaller motorhomes and trailers that travel mainly on highways
- Mud- and snow-rated
- 60,000-mile warranty
- Price: $179-$634 at Discounttire.com
A Sound Investment for Off-Road Travel
All-terrain RV tires help you to safely explore off-the-beaten track areas you wouldn’t normally get to see. With that said, all-terrain tires are necessary equipment for going overlanding in your RV. However, good all terrain tires will also help you stay safe on the road in snowy or slippery conditions. These rugged tires offer superior traction, enhanced durability, and can really add to the confidence needed to navigate in back country landscapes, from rocky desert trails to muddy forest roads.
The right set of all-terrain RV tires can help unlock a world of unparalleled freedom, breathtaking discoveries, and unforgettable off-road experiences that will stay with you long after the dust settles.
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