What To Look For
Make sure your tires will support the maximum gross vehicle weight. Overloading and poor weight distribution are two of the most common causes for tire failure in recreational vehicles. Your tire dealer should be able to tell you which tires will be adequate for your vehicle. Ask about durability, handling, and performance in rain or snow.
Common Pitfalls
Don't assume that your tires are fine just because you haven't driven your recreational vehicle very much. Ozone causes cracks in tires that can be catastrophic at high speeds. Under- and overinflated tires also can lead to failure or poor performance. Be sure your tires are inflated properly, according to the manufacturer's specifications.
Where To Buy
Commercial tire stores are usually your best bet. Some national tire store chains, such as Tire Warehouse, offer a lifetime puncture warranty, roadside assistance and free tire balancing. Buying from a national chain also makes it more likely that any warranties will be honored if there's a problem while you're on the road.
Cost
Buying tires for recreational vehicles is like any other purchase--you can save the most money when demand is low. Expect to pay quite a bit if you can't find RV tires on sale. High-end Goodyear and Michelin tires can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,500 each, not including installation.
Comparison Shopping
It may sometimes be cheaper to order tires online, then have them shipped to you and installed locally instead of buying them locally.
Insider Tips
The age of most RV tires will be stamped inside a small rectangle on the tire. Look for the last group of digits to determine the year that the tires were made.
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