If you camp or travel in all weather conditions, there is a good reason to look into getting the best all-season tires for your rig. But let’s take a quick look at all-season tires and why they might be a good fit for your RV.
First, they bridge the gap between winter and summer tires so you can keep on driving without much maintenance. If you travel throughout the year, you may not have a “home base” where you would store that extra set of off-season tires. And it can be a hassle to back-track to a “home base” for twice-yearly tire changes.
Second, it costs money to have tires mounted and changed. Unless you have two sets complete with rims, a good hydraulic jack, and pneumatic tools at your disposal, changing out four, six, or more tires is a cumbersome task.
While winter and summer tires both have great features, it can be a hassle to change them out.
With current manufacturing standards, you can safely use all season tires as long as you perform proper maintenance. However, like most products, some tires are better than others. That’s why we set out to find the best all-season tires.
Popular Questions About the Best All-Season Tires
If you put a lot of miles on your RV, you want the best all-season tires you can get. But how do you find the best all-season tires? You ask questions.
Try not to get overwhelmed by all of the choices. We find it best to start with your owner’s manual and notepad before you even begin shopping.
Find out what size and type of tire your manufacturer recommends for your trailer or RV. Any tire that you select needs to be able to handle the weight of the rig and your gear. Jot down the size you need, sidewall ratings, and other information specified by the manufacturer. As you shop, you will use this information to rule out unsuitable choices.
Moving along, let’s answer some other questions you might have about buying the best all-season tires.
What are all-season tires?
All season tires are usually the default type of tires you find on cars and light trucks. The name “all-season” rightfully implies that you can use them all year round. All-season tires combine the best features of summer and winter tires, relieving you of the requirement to change them out every season.
For your RV, this also gives you additional peace-of-mind if you end up driving through a snowstorm in July that you weren’t expecting to encounter.
What do they do and how do they work?
The draw of all-season tires is the versatility of traveling without worry. With a combination of the best features from both summer and winter tire selections, all-season tires are great for the mid-range climates experienced in much of the United States.
In the rain, they funnel water away, allowing more tread to contact the road surface. On dry pavement, these tires provide a comfortable and stable ride. On snow, they help plow through the wet, slushy mess on most roads and provide additional traction on icy surfaces.
Why do you need all-season tires?
If you need to drive in a variety of weather conditions, then the best all-season tires will help you do just that.
However, extreme winter weather will usually require winter or snow tires. So if you happen to be driving extensively through an area that experiences a lot of snowfall, you might consider the winter snow tires over all-season tires.
Where can you buy the best all-season tires for your RV?
Online stores carry a surprising selection of all-season tires for standard cars and light trucks. You might find the choices somewhat limited for RV and trailer-rated tires, although they are available.
Before shopping though, make sure you have that notepad with the correct size and specifications for your RV. Many sites will have selection databases where you can put in the info on what you need and let the computer find the right-fit tires for you. Others offer selections based on the year and make of your vehicle. Knowing what you need will save you time and frustration in your online shopping ventures.
You can also use local tire vendors. Be aware that smaller shops may not have your tires in stock, so plan accordingly. Often a phone call with the customer service representative or a quick trip to the store (in your regular car) will save time.
If you have a size and brand selected, you can check local bargain and warehouse stores for deals. Sam’s Club, Costco, and other warehouse stores often have tire centers that will order your tires and install them on your rims for a lower price.
How to make sure you’re buying the best all-season tires for your rig
Before you shop for your tires, knowing a few things about tire sizing and how to read the markings on tires is good. So, real quick, we’re going to give you the skinny on what all those letters and numbers mean and why they’re important.
Buying the right size and type of tire for your RV will increase the life of your tires. It will also add to the overall safety of your over-the-road adventures.
“P225/70R16 91S” is emblazoned on the side of your tires, but what does it mean?
The first letter specifies the type of tire. “P” is the designator for “P-Metric” and denotes that this tire is for a passenger car. This class can also include some SUVs and smaller, light-duty pick-up trucks. The designator “LT” (LT-Metric) stands for light truck, which covers most trucks, SUVs, and many RVs.
The distance from one sidewall to another gives us the first number (the “225” in our example above). This measurement, in millimeters, is the width of your tires.
The next number (“70” in our example), is how tall the tire’s profile is. It is a percentage measurement arrived at by dividing the height of the tire off the rim by the width of the tire. While you can swap some aspects, it is best if you stick with the manufacturer’s recommended sizing for your RV or trailer.
The next letter is an “R” or “D” which signifies the type of construction. “R” stands for radial construction and “D” means it has a diagonal or bias-ply construction. The majority of tires will be of radial construction, but many trailer tires still use diagonal construction.
The next number, “16” in our example, is the size of the wheel rim. These will range from 14 inches to 22 inches on passenger vehicles, trucks, RVs and travel trailers. Unfortunately, the larger the size, the higher the price of the tire and yours are probably in that category.
The last set of numbers and letters on your tire denote the weight-carrying capacity and speed rating for your tires. They correspond to an index of load ranges for each tire. Always purchase tires with the same rating as your original tires or higher.
This video has excellent information on tires, vehicle weights, and getting the most out your tires:
Our Review Process was Intense
We scoured online sources, tire manufacturers, RV forums, and tire retailers. After checking reviews, both professional and customer-based, we consulted other “Best Of” review sites. To bring you the best possible selections, we weighed all that information carefully while compiling our list of the best all-season tires for your RV or trailer.
You will notice the inclusion of LT (light truck) tires in our list because they have a more rugged sidewall. They are designed to take quite a beating and are very suitable for transition to an RV.
The Best All-Season Tires for Your RV
Whether you’re new to buying all-season tires or not, there’s always something to learn. Many of the tires on our list come from well-known brands, but we have also included a couple of lesser-known brands.
Let’s pause for a quick note on a word that may be unfamiliar to you. The word “sipe” or “siping” refers to additional slits placed within a tire tread to promote better performance in snow and on ice.
There are two types of siping. Factory siping occurred at manufacture and is included in the warranty. There is also after-market siping, which is added after production by tire shops and may void existing warranties. All siping mentioned below is factory siping.
Consumer Reports did a study and determined that, in many instances, siping does promote added control, noting “measurable improvements in snow-traction and ice-braking performance.” They also stated that siping increases braking distance on wet and dry pavement.
Things to be aware of while tire shopping.
Carlisle Rad Trail HD (Model 6H04581)
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Carlisle redesigned their radial trailer tire, and the result is this stunning offering. Included features are better tread wear, more heat resistance, and a 10 percent increase in overall tire life. With an eye toward out-performing the competition, Carlisle has certainly delivered.
With a tread pattern that reduces rolling resistance, you should experience better fuel economy, increased durability, and overall safety. This added traction should give you greater peace of mind when traveling.
Michelin XPS RIB Truck Radial (Model 13080)
The Michelin XPS RIB is one of the more expensive tires on our list. With the price comes exceptional quality and very high customer satisfaction.
Michelin uses a steel casing and reinforced steel bead that makes this tire acceptable for retreading. Puncture resistance is via a third steel belt which enhances durability. Added sidewall protection adds stability and resistance to damage from curb rubs.
Low rolling resistance, a superior tread design, and optimized rib tread offer long mileage, low noise level, and excellent fuel economy. This tire is suitable for steer and drives wheels in addition to trailer wheels. Because this design is for commercial vehicles, this tire promises big things and delivers.
Boto Tyres BT957 (Model B301612)
This highway tire is made for commercial vehicles and can be used on steer wheels and drive axles. The incredible tread design adds great all-season reliability. The tread hugs the road surface in wet, dry, or snowy conditions. The deep grooves prevent hydroplaning, and the tire’s flat footprint offers greater control, steering responsiveness, and stability.
Greater road contact decreases rolling resistance to aid in fuel economy. Environmentally, this tire helps to lower CO2 emissions by reducing fuel consumption. The wear-resistant construction lengthens tread life, prevents irregular tread wear, and extends tire life.
Double Coin RT600 (Model 1133702796)
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Double Coin is not a well-known brand, but they produce a quality product when it comes to their commercial vehicle tires. This model, the RT600, includes a five-rib tread design with wide shoulders to promote stability in steering and control. The circumferential grooves increase resistance to improve wet road performance and decrease hydroplaning. Using EPA SmartWay-verified technology makes this offering a good choice.
Siping helps guard against uneven wear, adding to the tread life in all driving conditions. As an all-position tire, the RT600 can be used on the steer and drive wheels, or trailer axles, with equal performance.
The sidewall protectors guard against curbing, abrasions, and cuts. This added protection also makes this tire a great candidate for retreading, which saves you money over time. The stability of the tire increases handling and response. The tread design promotes a quieter ride with phase-shifted pitch variation, eliminating road noise.
Hankook Vantra RA18 (Model 2001939)
The Hankook is a three-season tire, rather than an all-season tire. It made our list because it is an excellent tire and will perform well year-round in most moderate winter environments.
As an 8-ply tire, this model is much lighter than many, but it is designed to be used on commercial vans, transport vehicles, and works great on RVs. It has a balanced footprint that performs well even under heavy loads.
Hankook included a strong sidewall shield and added stiffness in the rim joint to increase handling performance. The tread design with sipes allows for reliable traction on light snow and wet pavement. Circumferential grooves channel water to reduce hydroplaning and increase surface contact.
Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 (Model 290105537)
This offering from Goodyear is in the market as a luxury SUV-class tire, but that does not detract from its rugged durability. VersaLoad Technology ensures tire stability, great handling, and even tread wear under many load conditions.
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The tread grooves channel water away from the contact surface, providing excellent traction on wet roads. The overall tread design provides driver control and handling in all weather conditions. An added feature is the Multi-Pitch Tread Design Technology™ employed on this tire. Combined with other standard features, this tire will deliver a smooth, quiet, and comfortable ride.
Hit the Road, Jack!
After weighing all the information available, our favorite was the Michelin XPS RIB, which won hands-down. The reliability of this tire, if you can afford it, will not let you down. Between the thought and research that went into the design of the tire, and the customer and professional reviews, how could we select any other?
We did, however, keep bargain hunters in mind. Our second selection is highly affordable, for those of you with a tighter wallet. When it comes to the best price and reliability, you will be well-served in selecting the Dunlop Grandtrec AT20 for your rig.
So there you have it — our picks for the six best all-season tires for your RV or trailer. The final decision is all yours. We’re sure that you will select based on what your wallet can afford and a reliability record.
We hope that you found our review of the best all-season tires for your RV informative. Let us know what brand you use and how you like them by leaving a comment below.