Caravan and trailer tyres often age out long before they wear out. A caravan that only comes out for a few trips a year can have plenty of tread left on tyres that are no longer safe to tow on. The good news is that every tyre tells you exactly how old it is, if you know where to look.
This guide explains how to read the date code on your tyres, how old is too old for a caravan or trailer tyre, and how to look after them while they're in storage over the winter.
Why tyre age matters
Tyres are made from rubber compounds that harden and break down over time, whether they're being used or not. As a tyre ages, the rubber becomes less flexible and more likely to crack, which can lead to a blowout while towing.
Caravans and trailers are especially prone to this because they often sit still for months at a time, sometimes outdoors in sunlight and frost. A tyre's age is counted from the date it was made, not the date it was fitted, so a tyre can already be a year or two old when it goes on.
How to read a tyre date code
Every tyre has a DOT code on its sidewall, made up of letters and numbers. You only need the last four digits, which are usually inside a small oval or box at the end of the code.
- The first two digits are the week the tyre was made.
- The last two digits are the year it was made.
For example:
- 2221 means the tyre was made in week 22 of 2021.
- 0419 means it was made in week 4 of 2019.
The code is sometimes only printed on one side of the tyre, so if you can't see it, check the inner sidewall. If you find a code with just three digits, the tyre was made before 2000 and should be replaced straight away.
How old is too old?
There is no legal age limit for caravan or light trailer tyres in the UK. The ban on tyres over 10 years old, introduced in 2021, only applies to certain axles on lorries, buses, coaches and minibuses, not to caravans or light trailers.
That said, the advice from the caravan industry is clear. The Caravan and Motorhome Club recommends that caravan tyres should ideally be replaced after five years and should never be used when they are more than seven years old, whatever they look like.
As a simple rule:
- Under 5 years: check them regularly for damage and wear.
- 5 to 7 years: plan to replace them, and check them carefully before every trip.
- Over 7 years: replace them before you tow again.
Other signs your tyres need replacing
Age isn't the only thing to look out for. Replace a tyre straight away if you notice any of the following:
- Cracking on the sidewall or between the tread blocks.
- Cuts or bulges anywhere on the tyre.
- Low tread. The legal minimum for car and light trailer tyres is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread, around the whole tyre.
- Flat spots after a long period of storage, which can cause vibration when towing.
- Uneven wear, which can point to an alignment, load or pressure problem.
If you're replacing one tyre on an axle, it's worth replacing both so they match, as tyres of different ages and wear can behave differently on the road.
Looking after your tyres over winter
Long periods without use put strain on the same part of the tyre for months at a time. A few simple steps can help your tyres last longer:
- Keep them at the right pressure. Check the pressures before you put the caravan or trailer away, and again before your first trip. Our guide to caravan and trailer tyre pressures explains how.
- Keep them out of the sun. Tyre covers or wheel covers help protect the rubber from sunlight, which speeds up ageing.
- Move it occasionally. Moving the caravan or trailer a short distance every few weeks changes the part of the tyre that's carrying the weight.
- Check them before you set off. Look for cracks, bulges and flat spots, and check the date code, before the first trip of the year.
Replacing your caravan or trailer tyres
When it's time to replace your tyres, match the size, load index and speed rating printed on your current tyres. Our tyre size guide explains how to read them, and our guide to C rated tyres explains why load rating matters so much for caravans and trailers.
You can buy new tyres on their own from our trailer and caravan tyres range, or save the hassle of fitting with a complete trailer wheel and tyre, supplied with the tyre already fitted and ready to bolt on.
Not sure what you need? Take a look at our FAQs or get in touch.