Selecting the right tires for towing isn’t just a good idea. It’s the safest idea.
Tires can make or break your travel adventure. And there are quite a few factors to consider.
Let’s look at some of the best towing tires on the market.
Can You Tow With Snow Tires?
If you’re driving in hazardous winter conditions, you can tow with snow tires. Obviously, if you can avoid driving in these conditions, that’s preferable. But sometimes life happens and you can’t control the weather or a change in travel plans.
Because you need better traction in snow, winter tires are a good solution because they have the ability to cut through the snow and grip slippery surfaces. And when towing thousands of pounds, you want all the help you can get in harsh weather conditions.
They also make winter tires out of different rubber components to hold up even in very cold weather.
Pro Tip: When the weather outside is frightful, you have to be extra careful to care for your RV! Learn more about Should You Store Your RV Outside with No Cover?
Best Towing Tires
Towing tires are different from regular passenger car tires. The tread is deeper, and the sidewalls are more rigid. They’re also not designed for high speed.
So you definitely want to make sure you have good, quality towing tires on your vehicle when pulling a 15,000-lb fifth wheel. Here are some of the best.
Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac
First of all, Goodyear is a well-known brand that has delivered top-quality tires since 1898. These Wrangler DuraTrac tires provide solid traction in mud and snow and are even snow certified. T
hey also ride smoothly and quietly. Their sidewalls seem to be softer than other brands, but these tires are still some of the best options for towing.
Michelin Defender LTX All-Season
After Bridgestone, Michelin is the second-largest tire manufacturer in the world. They even invented the radial tire. These Defender LTX All-Season tires provide solid traction in rain and snow. When going down the interstate at 60 mph, they ride comfortably, although louder than other brands.
They also start to vibrate after a while, but they handle well and have strong sidewalls.
Firestone Transforce HT Radial Tire
Firestone is another manufacturer that has been around for more than 100 years. They designed these Transforce HT radial tires for light trucks. They provide great stability and a smooth ride. Even though they’re road tires, they also perform well in wet conditions and on soft surfaces.
The tread life of these tires may be shorter than other brands, but they’re a great value when purchasing towing tires.
Why Do You Need to Use the Right Tires While Towing?
The incorrect tires can deform when placed under a great deal of weight. This can lead to a blowout or a flat tire, two things you want to avoid as much as possible when towing.
Using the right towing tires also changes your drive. The correct tires make your drive enjoyable and smooth, while the incorrect tires can make your drive uncomfortable.
You always want to check the load rating to make sure your tires can handle the amount of weight they’ll carry. Another consideration is the speed rating. You shouldn’t be driving 65 mph on the interstate while towing anyway, but not all tires can withstand the same speeds.
Most C-E tires can’t handle speeds exceeding 65 mph. A final feature to take note of is the treadwear. The longer the treadwear, the longer the life of your tires.
However, if you plan on driving in harsh conditions frequently, your tread will wear faster.
Can You Leave Your Snow Tires on All Year?
You shouldn’t leave them on all year. Although the rubber component specific to winter tires is different to aid in driving in cold conditions, it also decreases the life of the tire.
So only use them when you have to. Change them out once the weather conditions improve.
Pro Tip: Want to avoid the snow altogether? Find out Where Do RVers Spend The Winter?
Some Areas Require Tire Chains as Well
When traveling, you may see signs that indicate that you have to use chains in states such as California, Wyoming, and Washington.
In Maryland and New York, you need chains when those states declare a snow emergency. In Oregon, vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds must have chains when the state posts snow zone signs.
If you plan on traveling during the winter, make sure to know the local laws as well as general safety measures.
Use the Right Tires to Stay Safe While Towing
It’s extremely important to use the right tires while towing. It’s not just for your own safety or the safety of your passengers but also for the safety of others on the road.
A tire blowout may not just affect you and your rig but could also endanger fellow drivers. Tires are worth investing in.
Do your homework and know which tires will work best for your travel needs.
Have you checked the condition of your tires recently? Let us know in the comments!
Discover the Best Free Camping Across the USA
To be honest with you, we hate paying for camping. There are so many free campsites in America (with complete privacy).
You should give it a try!
As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours. Every time you pay federal taxes, you’re contributing to these lands.
Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers that love to score the best site!
We’ll send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA (one per state). Access the list by submitting your email below: