Lynx here with some essential RV maintenance hacks to help ensure your RV is always ready to hit the open road. Today we’re tackling one of the most asked, and possibly most misconstrued, questions:

When should I change my RV tires?

Your tires are one of the most important parts of your RV, as they hold and transport you and your second home literally everywhere. It’s important to make sure your tires are in tip-top shape before embarking on any kind of roadtrip. A flat tire on the side of the road, or possibly something worse, is never fun - or safe for that matter.  

Read on to obtain some top tips on this hot topic:

The difference between new and used RVs

The first thing you need to answer before understanding when your tires should be changed is:  

Is your RV new or used?

This step is important because if your RV is used, the tires could be brand new, or they could be up to a year or more old. Make sure you check the following:

• Tire tread depth
• Tread wear
• Sidewall tire cracks
• The DOT code on the tire (this four-digit code will tell you exactly when the tire was made)

The first three bullet points are things you should watch out for each year as you drive around in your new or used RV.

The DOT code is the most precise tool you have in determining how old your tires are, and when they might need a change. However, the overall quality you keep your tires in will be the determining factor for if you need a tire change. Here are some other factors that will decrease the lifespan of your tires:

• Usage per year
• Storage practices
• RV usage in hotter climates

Although a definite lifespan is hard to predict, when you start to notice the following things, you should be thinking of replacing your tires:

• Deep cracks
• Visible deterioration that allows you to see the internal components of your tires

If your tires continue to look in good shape, and don’t show any of these warning signs, a good benchmark for switching over to new ones is every 5-6 years.

Keeping your tires in good condition

There are a few steps you can take to make your tires’ lifespan last a little bit longer.

Keeping your tires covered in-between trips is one suggestion. This makes sure that when you aren’t using your RV, your tires aren’t exposed to the elements, and to harmful UV rays.

Inspect your tires before every trip to make sure there’s no wear and tear. Catching what might be a small fix before going on a long roadtrip is much better than having your tires fail you halfway through the trip.

Make sure you’re regularly cleaning your tires as well! Here’s a quick tip from Mark Polk, fellow RVer, on the matter:

"Clean the tires with mild soap and water. Avoid using tire dressings. Sidewall rubber contains antioxidants and ani-ozones that are designed to work their way to the surface of the rubber and help protect the tires. Washing tires excessively removes these protective compounds and can age tires prematurely. The same is true of many tire dressings designed to make your tires shine." 

And remember to stay level on un-level ground

No matter where your RV takes you, your tires may find themselves in some pretty unlevel situations. Remember that keeping level is important for your RV and is super easy to do. Get your Lynx Levelers from your local RV dealer, or from Amazon or Walmart.