Caravan tyre failures cause rollovers and accidents every year in Australia. Many are completely preventable. Here's everything you need to know about caravan tyre safety, age, load ratings, and maintenance.
Caravan tyre failures cause rollovers and serious accidents every year on Australian roads. Many are completely preventable. Unlike car tyres which wear down quickly through regular use, caravan tyres often look fine on the outside while being dangerously degraded on the inside — making them one of the most misunderstood safety risks in the RV industry.
Why Caravan Tyres Are a Special Problem
Unlike the tyres on your daily driver, caravan tyres:
- Often sit stationary for months at a time, causing flat spotting and sidewall cracking
- Are exposed to intense UV radiation in Australian conditions, which degrades rubber from the inside out
- Are frequently inflated to the wrong pressure because owners check the sidewall number rather than the manufacturer's load-rated specification
- May be years old but look new due to low mileage
- Are under significant load stress — often carrying more per axle than equivalent car tyres
The result is that many caravanners are towing on tyres that are structurally compromised despite looking perfectly acceptable on visual inspection.
Age Is More Important Than Tread
This is the single most important thing most caravan owners don't know: tyre age matters more than tread depth for caravans.
Rubber degrades over time through a process called oxidation. Heat, UV, and ozone all accelerate this process. A caravan tyre may have 8mm of tread remaining but be structurally weakened to the point of failure due to age alone.
The industry recommendation: Replace caravan tyres at 5 years, regardless of tread depth. Do not use caravan tyres beyond 7 years under any circumstances.
How to Find Your Tyre's Age
Every tyre has a DOT code stamped on the sidewall. The last 4 digits indicate the week and year of manufacture:
Example: DOT xxxx 2319 = manufactured in the 23rd week of 2019
If you buy a used caravan, check this immediately. It's common to find caravans with tyres that are 8, 9, or even 10+ years old.
Tyre Pressure: Getting It Right
Running caravan tyres at the wrong pressure is another common cause of failure.
Underinflation causes the tyre sidewalls to flex excessively, generating heat. Heat is a tyre's enemy — it causes separation of the internal layers and is the most common cause of sudden blowouts.
Overinflation reduces the contact patch, reducing grip and making the tyre more vulnerable to impact damage. It also causes uneven wear.
The Right Pressure Is Not What's on the Sidewall
The maximum pressure moulded into the tyre sidewall is not the correct running pressure — it's the maximum the tyre can handle at maximum load. Your actual correct pressure depends on the load being carried.
How to find the right pressure:
- Weigh each axle of the loaded caravan (not just the total)
- Consult the tyre manufacturer's load/inflation tables for your specific tyre size
- Set pressure accordingly — and check it cold (before driving)
For most Australian caravans in the 1,200–2,000 kg loaded range, correct tyre pressure typically falls between 55–80 PSI depending on tyre size and load. This is often significantly higher than what owners are running.
Caravan Tyre Load Ratings
Every tyre has a load index — a number indicating the maximum weight it can carry at its rated pressure. This should match or exceed the load placed on each tyre by the caravan.
Example: A single-axle caravan weighing 1,600 kg ATM puts 800 kg per axle end — or 400 kg per tyre (assuming equal distribution). Each tyre must have a load rating of at least 400 kg at your running pressure.
Many caravan owners have never checked whether their tyres' load rating is appropriate for their caravan's weight.
Maintenance Checklist for Caravan Tyres
Before every trip:
- Check tyre pressure cold (use a quality gauge — petrol station gauges are often inaccurate)
- Visually inspect for cracks, bulges, cuts, or embedded objects
- Check valve stems for cracks or leaks
Every 6 months:
- Check DOT date code and calculate age
- Inspect sidewalls for cracking or weathering
- Check for uneven wear patterns (indicates alignment or load distribution issues)
Every year:
- Have tyres professionally inspected, including sidewall internal condition
Replace immediately if:
- Tyre is over 7 years old
- Any cracking is visible in the sidewall
- Any bulge or lump is present
- Tread depth is below 1.5mm
Spare Tyre — Often Forgotten
Your spare is subject to exactly the same degradation as your other tyres — often faster, because it's mounted on the back of the van in full sun exposure. Many caravanners have experienced a blowout only to find their spare is equally unserviceable.
Check your spare's age, condition, and pressure at the same time as your other tyres.
Tyre Covers
If your caravan is stored in a sunny location, UV tyre covers dramatically slow down the aging process. They're inexpensive and one of the highest return-on-investment items a caravan owner can buy.
The RVSafe project has detailed resources on tyre safety and vehicle compliance as part of their free public education program. For caravanners buying or selling, Camplify Xchange listings include condition notes and service history that can help you assess tyre status before purchase.
Part of the Camplify Xchange editorial team, sharing expert RV advice for Australian adventurers.
