2021 is going to be a big year for staycations in the UK.
If you are planning a holiday with a caravan, camper, motorhome or trailer, it is very important that your tyres are checked before travelling to avoid disruption and extra cost.
We offer a FREE no-obligation tyre safety check at all our branches, and stock a range of most popular quality caravan, trailer, campervan and motorhome tyres that can be fitted while you wait.
Safety when accelerating, braking and steering all rely on your tyres, and they also play an important role in a caravan, camper, motorhome and trailer suspension systems. It is therefore vital that tyres are the correct type & fitment, properly maintained and regularly checked for safety.
Tyres deteriorate with age
While there is no standard answer to how long your tyres should last or when they should be removed from service, most vehicle and tyre manufacturers suggest that tyres are changed when they are five to six years old and should never be used after they are seven years old.
This starts from when the tyre was made, not when it was fitted, and applies even when they appear usable or might not have reached the minimum wear out depth (1.6mm in UK).
How to find out the age of your tyres
To find when your tyre was made, examine the sidewall for the DOT code, which is usually a four-digit number. The first two digits tell you in which month the tyre was made and the last two digits tell you the year. So, 3613 = the 36th week in the year 2013.
In this image, the tyre was made in the 22nd week of 2018.
Experts agree that once a tyre reaches five to six years old, the rubber compound will have degraded to the point that they become weak and potentially dangerous, and replacing them is recommended. If they are seven or more years old, they should not be used.
If you have bought a second-hand caravan, motorhome, camper van or trailer, it is best to assume the worst as you are unlikely to know the vehicle’s history in full. Check the tyres and consider changing them for safety’s sake as many insurance policies will not cover tyre failure.
Safety checks
Tyres are frequently overlooked, but must be looked after properly, whether the vehicle has been stationary for some time, or in regular use.
If you haven’t used your caravan, camper, motorhome or trailer in some time, it is vital that your tyres are thoroughly checked before you travel. Being stored for long periods can put undue strain on one particular part of the tyre.
Don’t forget about your spare tyre too, which must be the same specification as the others.
If you are in any doubt about the condition of your caravan tyres, trailer or motorhome tyres visit Fast-Fit and we will check them for age, wear, damage and inflation/pressure.
Our services
We stock most popular caravan, camper vans, motorhomes and trailer tyres, and can advise you if you are unsure which you need.
If you are at all in doubt, contact us and we will help.
Contact your local branch today
Travel safely and enjoy your holiday!
For more information
Motorhome tyre safety (PDF, 863 KB)
https://www.tyresafe.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Motorhome-leaflet-FINAL.pdf
Caravan tyre safety (PDF, 355 KB)
https://www.tyresafe.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Caravan-12pp-leaflet-Mar17.pdf