Winter tires for motorhomes

Apart from the legal obligation applicable in many countries and possible liability for damages, let us first and foremost ensure the safety of ourselves and our loved ones while driving . Let's not let the onslaught of winter, snow and low temperatures take away the joy of caravanning . Due to the pandemic , a year-round camper is now the norm and must cope with even the most difficult conditions. However, let us bear in mind the fact that the weight of our vehicles in practice is usually at least 3.5 tons. In percentage terms, the largest part of this mass falls on the rear of the vehicle, i.e. the body. Most often, front-wheel drive, heavy cars have difficulty coping on surfaces with reduced traction properties. This makes it all the more important to choose the right tires adapted to the weather conditions and the specific nature of the vehicle.

Winter or all-season tires – what to pay attention to

The vast majority of campers are factory-equipped with summer tires . However, such tires will not provide us with safety and grip on hills (not to mention mountains) additionally covered with snow. Campervan tires have appropriate reinforcements and are marked with the CP symbol. They come in typical summer and multi-season variants. If we use the camper occasionally in winter, all-season tires should work well and, above all, they will keep their shape stably even when parked for a longer period of time due to the specificity of the materials used, their mixture and reinforcing weave. However, if we travel a lot in winter, it is worth considering reinforced winter tires for delivery vehicles with the "C" index. What is the difference between summer tires and all-season and winter tires and why is it sometimes worth investing in 2 sets of tires or at least decent all-season tires and chains?

Summer, all-season and winter camper tires

Summer and winter tires use completely different construction principles and different material mixtures. A typical summer tire will stiffen and lose traction at low temperatures (usually already at 7 degrees Celsius). Typically, a winter tire will wear out faster as a result of heating and may tend to "float". We may not be able to distinguish the mixture used in individual types of tires with the naked eye, so let's focus on the differences in the markings of individual types and the characteristic differences in the tread design.

In theory, the ideal in terms of traction would be a tire with a full tread - the so-called slick tire . In practice, however, the slightest rain would cause loss of traction and uncontrolled skidding. Hence, full-tread tires remain reserved for a narrow group of motor sports fans, and the tires we use every day have characteristic sipes (or "grooves"). The purpose of these characteristic grooves/embossing while driving is to drain water and ensure contact with the surface even at higher speeds and when entering puddles (they prevent the phenomenon called " aquaplaning "). The tread of summer and winter tires is completely different - even the best summer tire designed to perfectly drain water will not cope with sticky snow.

Reinforced tires are essential

When choosing all-season or summer tires for campers or "winter tires" for delivery vehicles, we will not usually face the same dilemmas as when choosing tires for a passenger car. We don't have to pedantically analyze the speed and volume indexes, and the choice is basically very limited. We also do not have directional treads typical of passenger cars (e.g. "herringbone"). First of all, make sure that the tire is reinforced (the "C" symbol stands for reinforced tires, "CP" for typical camping tires).

Why is this index important? In addition to the weight mentioned above, campers have much higher pressure than in passenger cars - usually even 5-5.5 bar! When it comes to tread, the untrained eye may have trouble distinguishing a summer tire from a winter tire, so when using a "winter" tire, pay attention to the snowflake and mountain markings (the latest marking standard). Let's pay attention to the letters M+S ( MUD AND SNOW ) co-occurring with this stamp. If the tire is a winter tire, you will find both markings on it, but the M+S marking itself is declarative and does not mean that the tire is winter! When choosing tires, choose proven manufacturers and avoid buying used tires. Let's keep our safety in mind and be aware of the loads our vehicles are subjected to. In addition, we must be aware of one more important thing: regardless of the tire manufacturer and model, we will not be able to cope on icy surfaces without appropriate chains . These should also be selected based on the tire size and should be intended for heavy vehicles. Our advice: Do you ride a lot in winter? Invest in a second, typically winter set of tires for delivery trucks. If winter journeys are not on the agenda, in the vast majority of cases a combination of good all-season tires marked "CP" and good chains will work perfectly for a camper.

What should you pay attention to when renting a camper?

In the context of the above information and taking into account that the type and condition of tires is a very important factor affecting the safety of ourselves and our loved ones, we must also be vigilant when visiting a camper rental. This season, several cases have already become publicized in which winter rental owners "released" customers on summer tires without securing them with proper chains and without being aware of the possible dire consequences of such negligence. Always check the condition of the tires and their type. Let's not give in to excuses and let's enforce our rights.

To avoid unpleasant surprises, we recommend using proven, serious partners who will take care of basic security aspects and will not leave us in the lurch in case of problems.

Camprest has been cooperating with the best and proven camper rental companies in Poland for years.

We have also provided a vehicle search engine at your disposal, where you will find the best campers, caravans, roof tents and vans - go to the tab: Campers .