Caravan Tyres in Poole & Dorset

Mobile caravan tyre fitting in Dorset

Our mobile caravan tyre fitting service covers Dorset, so we can supply and fit caravan tyres wherever your caravan is kept, or you can bring it to our Poole depot. We fit budget, mid-range and premium tyres, and we work on trailers and motorhomes too.

Why caravan tyres age before they wear out

A caravan might cover only a few hundred miles a year, so its tyres rarely wear down to the legal limit. The bigger risk is age. Caravans spend months parked in one spot, carrying their full weight on the same part of each tyre, and exposed to sunlight and weather. Over time the rubber hardens and cracks, even when the tread looks deep.

As general guidance, many caravan manufacturers and caravan organisations recommend replacing caravan tyres at around five to seven years old, regardless of how much tread is left. Look out for:

• Fine cracks on the sidewall or between the tread blocks
• Bulges or bumps in the rubber
• Flat spots from standing in one position

Checking the DOT date code

Every tyre carries a date code, so you can see how old it is. Look on the sidewall for the letters "DOT" followed by a series of characters. The last four digits show when the tyre was made: the first two are the week and the last two are the year. For example, 2319 means week 23 of 2019.

The full code may be on the inner sidewall only. Don't forget the spare, often the oldest tyre on the caravan.

Load and speed ratings for caravans

Caravan tyres work hard. A single-axle caravan puts its whole weight on just two tyres, so the load index needs to cover the caravan's maximum laden weight, which you'll find on the caravan's weight plate or in the handbook. Some caravans use C-rated commercial tyres for this reason.

The speed rating matters too. Caravans are limited to lower speeds on UK roads than cars, but the tyres should still match the rating the manufacturer specifies. On a twin-axle caravan, all four tyres should match. We'll check your plate and fit the correct replacements.

Fitted where your caravan is stored

We can fit caravan tyres:

• On your drive at home
• At your storage site, if the site is happy for us to work there
• At a campsite, if you have a problem while you're away
• At our Poole depot, if that's easier for you

We cover Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch, Wimborne, Wareham and the rest of Dorset. Each price includes fitting, balancing, a new rubber valve and disposal of your old tyres.

Trailers and motorhomes

Trailer tyres face many of the same problems as caravan tyres. They're often small, carry heavy loads and spend long spells parked up. We fit tyres on box trailers, boat trailers, horse trailers and more.

Motorhomes are heavier still and have specific load requirements. Many run on commercial or motorhome-specific tyres, and our van tyres page explains what the markings mean. For general advice on tyre sizes and tread depth, see our new tyres page.

Preparing for the touring season

Before your first trip of the year, give your caravan a quick tyre check:

• Read the date code on every tyre, including the spare.
• Look for cracks, bulges and flat spots.
• Set the pressures to the figures in your handbook. Caravan tyres often run higher than car tyres.

Leave time for any replacements before you set off.

Frequently asked questions

How often should caravan tyres be replaced?

As general guidance, many manufacturers and caravan organisations suggest replacing caravan tyres at around five to seven years, whatever the tread depth. Check the date code to see how old yours are.

Can you fit new tyres at my caravan storage site?

Usually, yes. We need safe access and the site's permission to work there. Let us know the site details when you book.

Does my spare wheel need replacing too?

If it's as old as your other tyres, it's worth replacing too. An old spare may not be safe when you need it.

Do you fit tyres on trailers and horse trailers?

Yes. We fit tyres on all kinds of trailers, at your home or yard or at our Poole depot. Call 0800 7311 260 to arrange a time.