RV Dually Tire Rotation
Most Class A and Class C motorhomes have “dually” rear tires; that’s where there are two tires side by side on the same axle. Dual rear tires reduce the load on each individual tire, thus, decreasing the danger of overloading. Another big reason to have dually tires on a motorhome is the increased tire tread improves braking compared to a single rear wheel vehicle.
The benefits of duallys’ aren’t just stability, dual rear tires can be an advantage if one tire becomes damaged, the other tire can help maintain some control over the vehicle until the motorhome can stop safely.
Tire Rotation for a Dually Motorhome
There is some controversy concerning whether or not the tires on a dually motorhome should be rotated; while some people say yes, others say it’s not necessary.
The argument against tire rotation is due to the fact there is rarely a scheduled mileage stated for a tire rotation in the owner’s manual. If there is no uneven tire wear detected, the tires could be replaced based on age or general wear before rotation is needed.
If your tires appear to have even wear, there is no need to rotate them.
Checking for Uneven Tire Wear
Rotate your motorhome tires if you detect uneven wear. To detect uneven wear, run your hands around the tire and down the tread, and if a wear pattern is felt, you may need to rotate the tires, if enough tire life remains. Front tires are more prone to uneven wear than the rear dually tires.
If you detect uneven tire wear, you need to determine the cause. Some uneven wear, such as slight wear on the far outer and inner treads is normal. Other wear patterns may indicate your motorhome needs an alignment, new shocks, or a rebalance of the tires.
Rotating Tires Front to Back
If you need a rotation on the front tires, move both front tires to one side of the rear. Don’t move a worn front tire to the same axle as a less worn and thus “taller” tire on the rear. This is because the taller tire will carry more of the load. Choose the side of the rear that will be moved forward based on which are in better condition.
Most tires can be mounted in either the current direction or the direction can be reversed. It’s a good idea to put the side of the tires that were exposed to the outside, and thus, the sun’s UV rays mounted facing inward.
Take It to a Tire Shop
Many motorhomes do not come with a jack, for safety reasons. This is because motorhomes are big and heavy; the manufacturers feel that changing tires on a motorhome is too dangerous for most people to do. Likewise, if your tires need to be rotated, there is an underlying cause, such as poor alignment, which needs to be fixed in a shop.
Related Video: