Getting your caravan or trailer tyre pressures right is one of the simplest things you can do to tow safely. It only takes a few minutes, but under or over-inflated tyres can affect handling, wear out faster and, in the worst cases, fail on the road.
This guide explains how to find the right pressure for your caravan or trailer, how to check it properly, and the signs that your pressures need attention.
Why tyre pressures matter
Caravan and trailer tyres carry a lot of weight for their size, so even a small drop in pressure makes a difference. According to tyre manufacturer Maxxis, under-inflated tyres are much more likely to suffer a blowout, which can cause loss of control. Getting the pressure right also means:
- Safer handling and a more stable tow.
- Longer tyre life, as the tread wears evenly.
- Better fuel economy, because correctly inflated tyres roll more easily.
It's also a legal requirement. GOV.UK guidance says the tyres on your car and trailer must be inflated to the manufacturer's specification for the load being carried.
Where to find the right pressure
The correct pressure depends on your caravan or trailer, its weight and the tyres fitted, so there isn't one figure that suits everyone. You'll usually find it in one of these places:
- The handbook for your caravan or trailer.
- A plate or sticker inside the caravan.
- The manufacturer of the caravan or trailer, if you don't have the handbook.
Don't use the figure printed on the tyre sidewall as your running pressure. That's the maximum the tyre can safely hold, not the pressure it should be set to for your caravan or trailer.
If you've fitted different tyres from the ones your caravan or trailer came with, check the recommended pressure with the tyre manufacturer, as it can change with a different size or load rating.
How to check your tyre pressures
- Check them cold. TyreSafe advises checking when the tyres haven't been used for at least a few hours. Checking during or straight after a journey won't give an accurate reading.
- Use a good quality gauge. Digital gauges often give more precise readings.
- Check every tyre, including the spare.
- Adjust to the recommended pressure, then check the valve caps are fitted.
- Never let air out of warm tyres. They'll read higher when warm, and could be too low once they cool down.
How often should you check them?
Check your caravan or trailer tyre pressures before every journey, and especially before a long trip. It's also worth checking them before you put your caravan or trailer into storage, and again before the first trip after it's been sitting for a while, as tyres can lose pressure slowly over time.
Don't forget your car
Your car's tyres matter too when towing. Unless your car's handbook gives specific towing pressures, Maxxis and TyreSafe both advise setting the car's rear tyres to the "fully laden" pressure. If that's the same as the normal pressure, they suggest adding around 4 to 7 psi (0.3 to 0.5 bar) to the rear tyres.
Signs your pressures are wrong
The way your tyres wear can tell you a lot:
- Wear on both outer edges usually means the tyre has been running under-inflated.
- Wear down the centre of the tread usually means it's been over-inflated.
- A tyre that keeps losing pressure could have a slow puncture, a damaged valve or a problem with the rim, so get it checked.
If a tyre is badly worn, damaged or getting old, it's time to replace it. Our guide to how old your caravan or trailer tyres are explains how to read the date code and when to replace them.
Replacing your caravan or trailer tyres
When you replace your tyres, match the size, load index and speed rating on your current tyres. Our tyre size guide explains how to read them.
Shop our trailer and caravan tyres, or choose a complete trailer wheel and tyre with the tyre already fitted, ready to bolt on. If you have any questions, take a look at our FAQs or get in touch.