A lot of campervans and motorhomes feel the same on a glossy brochure page. Tyres are where reality shows up.
You feel it the first time you hit standing water on the M6, or drop down a steep lane with gravel scattered across the surface, or pull onto wet grass and realise you have made a slightly optimistic choice. The tyres are the only part of your vehicle that actually touches the road, and on a heavy vehicle that carries your bed, your food, your water and often your family, that matters more than it does on a small car.
The tricky bit is that tyre choice is not one decision. It is a chain of decisions that overlap.
How heavy is your vehicle actually loaded, not what the brochure says. How often do you tour in winter. Whether you spend time on wet fields, forestry tracks, beach car parks and muddy showgrounds. Whether you are in a big coachbuilt motorhome with a long rear overhang, or a compact panel van conversion that is more nimble but still heavy for its footprint.
So this is a practical guide. Not a brand fan club, not a forum argument, and not a one size fits all answer. By the end you should know what type of tyre you need, which markings matter, what compromises you are accepting, and how to avoid the most common tyre mistakes that catch campervan and motorhome owners out.
It is tempting to look at a rugged tyre with chunky tread blocks and think: that looks like freedom.
Sometimes it is. Sometimes it is also extra road noise, slower steering response, a hit to fuel economy, and a tyre that is brilliant on a muddy track but only average in the wet where you spend most of your time.
Before we get into types, get two facts straight.
First, weight. If you have not weighed your vehicle properly when loaded for a trip, you are guessing. You do not need a laboratory, just a public weighbridge. Do it once with your normal touring kit onboard. Then you can choose a tyre with the right load rating, and set pressures properly. Tyre choice without real weights is like buying boots without knowing your shoe size.
Second, usage. Be honest. If 95 percent of your miles are on tarmac in the UK, you want wet grip, stability and predictable handling. If you spend weekends on grassy rallies, you want traction at low speeds. If you chase snow, you want proper winter performance or at least a tyre that is genuinely capable when temperatures drop.
Now we can talk types.
Every tyre has a load index and speed rating. On campervans and motorhomes, the load index matters more than most people realise, because you are often close to the limit.
When a vehicle is heavy, an under specified tyre is not just a bit underwhelming. It runs hotter, it flexes more, it wears oddly, and it is more vulnerable to damage. That is why you will often see commercial van tyres, and in motorhome specific cases, tyres marked CP.
On many panel van based campervans you will see tyres designed for vans, often with a C marking. They are built to carry load and deal with kerbs, potholes and hard working use.
On many heavier motorhomes you will see CP marked tyres. The CP marking is used for camping tyres, designed for the unique life of a motorhome, including higher loads and long periods standing still. The Michelin CrossClimate Camping range is a clear example of a CP marked tyre aimed at motorhomes.
Not every motorhome must have CP tyres, but if your vehicle is heavy, or you find yourself near the top of its axle limits, a CP tyre is often a sensible move.
You will also see winter related markings. M plus S is often used loosely. The more meaningful marking is 3PMSF, the three peak mountain snowflake symbol, which indicates the tyre has met a defined snow performance standard. Michelin explain the difference clearly in their winter tyre markings guidance.
For UK touring, 3PMSF matters if you travel through cold upland areas, go abroad in winter, or simply want a tyre that stays confident when temperatures drop and roads get greasy.
These come on plenty of new vehicles, especially on lighter campervans. In warm, dry conditions they can be quiet and efficient.
But in the UK they are rarely the best choice for touring, because touring means wet roads, cool mornings, shaded lanes, and sudden weather changes. A summer tyre can feel fine right up until it does not.
Pros
Quiet, often good fuel economy, sharp steering feel
Cons
Less confidence in cold and wet conditions, not designed for long standing loads on heavy vehicles, can be more vulnerable on rough surfaces
If you live somewhere genuinely warm most of the year and you mainly drive on decent roads, you can make a case. For most UK use, it is not where I would start.
For UK touring, an all season tyre designed for vans is one of the best compromises going. You get good wet performance, better cold weather behaviour, and usually decent tread life.
A strong example is something like the Continental VanContact 4Season, which is positioned as an all season tyre for vans with emphasis on wet and winter conditions.
Another example is the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Cargo, which is also widely available in van sizes and carries 3PMSF in many fitments.
Pros
Works well across UK seasons, better cold weather grip, often 3PMSF, good everyday comfort
Cons
Not as sharp as a pure summer tyre in warm dry conditions, not as capable as a full winter tyre in deep snow, not as grippy as a true all terrain tyre on mud
Recommendation
If you have a typical panel van campervan and you tour year round, an all season van tyre is often the most sensible single set to live with.
Motorhomes can be a different story because weight and long periods parked up change the demands.
The Michelin CrossClimate Camping tyre is designed as an all weather motorhome tyre, with 3PMSF certification and CP marking in many sizes, and is pitched specifically at year round touring.
Pros
Designed around motorhome loads and usage, strong all year grip, less compromise than fitting a car oriented all season tyre
Cons
Cost, availability in some sizes, and you still need to set pressures correctly and manage weight
Recommendation
If you have a coachbuilt motorhome, especially one over 3.5 tonnes, a dedicated motorhome tyre range is worth serious consideration.
This is the approach that gives the best performance across extremes. You use summer tyres for warm months and winter tyres for cold months.
For most campervan and motorhome owners in the UK, the practical drawbacks are big.
You need storage for a second set of tyres, you need swaps booked, and you need to justify the cost. If you are regularly in snowy areas or you do a lot of winter touring across Europe, it can be worth it. Otherwise, a good all season or all weather tyre usually wins on simplicity.
Pros
Best grip in both summer and winter, strongest safety margin when conditions are difficult
Cons
Cost, storage, swapping, and it is easy to get lazy and run the wrong set at the wrong time
All terrain tyres are designed for a mix of road and off road. They typically have chunkier tread, stronger sidewalls, and better traction on loose surfaces.
They also come with compromises. Expect more noise, slightly heavier steering, and often a small hit to fuel economy.
This is where tyres like BFGoodrich All Terrain T A KO2 and KO3 get mentioned. KO2 has been a popular choice for vehicles that genuinely see rough surfaces, and KO3 is the newer generation with BFGoodrich positioning it around durability and all terrain performance.
In campervan terms, these tyres make the most sense on 4x4 capable conversions and adventure builds that actually use the capability. They can be brilliant on wet grass, gravel tracks, and muddy entrances.
Pros
Traction on mud, gravel and grass, tougher construction, confidence on rough surfaces
Cons
Road noise, can feel less precise on tarmac, fuel economy impact, and in some sizes and loads you need to be careful you are choosing the right rating for the vehicle
Recommendation
If your touring involves farm tracks, winter rallies, beaches, or you regularly end up on wet fields, an all terrain tyre can be a very practical choice. If your travel is almost entirely tarmac, you may be paying for capability you do not use.
Mud terrain tyres look impressive and can be incredible in deep mud. They are also loud, harsh, and not ideal for wet road braking. For campervans and motorhomes used mainly on the road, they are rarely sensible.
If you are building something truly specialist, that is another conversation. For everyone else, all terrain is usually as far as you want to go.
If you want a quick way to narrow it down, think like this.
If you tour mostly on the road in the UK, year round
Choose a quality all season van tyre or a motorhome specific all weather tyre depending on your vehicle weight and tyre size availability.
If you have a heavier motorhome and you sit parked for long periods
Look seriously at CP marked motorhome tyres, and pay attention to tyre age and condition.
If you often park on wet grass, muddy fields, or rough tracks
Consider an all terrain tyre, but be honest about the trade offs.
If you regularly chase winter conditions or travel in snowy regions
Choose a 3PMSF rated tyre at minimum. In some cases, a winter tyre set is worthwhile.
Motorhomes in particular often run high tyre pressures, and those pressures should match axle loads. Michelin’s motorhome guidance makes the point that tyre choice and pressure management go together.
Over inflation can reduce grip and make the ride harsher. Under inflation is worse, it builds heat and can cause damage.
The boring answer is the correct one: weigh the vehicle, then set pressures based on the tyre maker and vehicle maker guidance.
It is common to see tyres on motorhomes that look fine on tread, but are old.
In Great Britain there are specific legal restrictions on using tyres aged more than 10 years on certain vehicles and axles, including goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes on the steering axle. Many motorhomes fall into the weight bracket where tyre age becomes especially relevant.
Even where it is legal, age still matters. Tyres deteriorate over time. TyreSafe publish dedicated motorhome tyre safety guidance and stress the importance of proper maintenance and inspection.
Michelin’s technical bulletin for RV and motorhome tyres also recommends regular inspection, with tyres in service for five years or more inspected annually by a specialist.
Practical takeaway
If your tyres are older, or you cannot clearly read the date code, treat that as a priority. A tyre can look fine and still be past its best.
The legal minimum tread depth for cars and light vans is 1.6 mm across the central three quarters.
You can be legal and still have noticeably worse wet performance. For touring in heavy rain with a heavy vehicle, replacing before you hit the absolute minimum is usually money well spent.
This is not a definitive shopping list because sizes and ratings matter, but these are the kinds of tyres that come up often.
Continental VanContact 4Season is a well known all season van option.
Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Cargo is another popular all season van tyre range, and many sizes carry 3PMSF.
Pirelli and Hankook also offer all season van tyres in many common sizes, and it is worth checking what is available for your exact fitment.
Michelin CrossClimate Camping is designed as an all weather motorhome tyre with 3PMSF certification.
Continental also market motorhome capable tyres like VanContact Camper with robust construction aimed at heavy loads.
BFGoodrich All Terrain T A KO2 and KO3 are positioned around all terrain use, and KO3 is the newer generation in the range.
A note of realism
All terrain tyres are not magic. They help when surfaces are loose, wet, or soft. They do not turn a heavy motorhome into a mountain goat, and they do not make up for poor weight distribution or pushing a front wheel drive van into mud where it simply cannot pull itself through.
If you have ever had a puncture in a remote spot, you will understand why I am going to sound slightly intense about this.
A spare tyre turns a worst case day into a mild inconvenience. Without one, you are relying on mobile fitting availability, the right tyre being in stock, and your vehicle being somewhere a fitter can safely work.
A full size spare is ideal, particularly if you have a heavy vehicle or you travel far from major towns.
A space saver spare can get you moving, but it is not always appropriate for heavier campervans and motorhomes, and often comes with speed and distance limits.
If you do carry a spare, remember it also ages. Michelin’s RV tyre service life guidance explicitly includes spare tyres in inspection recommendations.
This is where campervans and motorhomes differ.
Some vehicles have an under slung carrier. Some store a spare in a rear garage. Some carry a spare externally on a rear rack system.
If you carry it externally, protect it from sun exposure and check it regularly. If you carry it underneath, keep the mechanism clean and usable. It is surprisingly common to discover a spare carrier has seized when you actually need it.
A sealant kit can be useful, but it is not the same as a spare. It is a way to get you out of a vulnerable situation and to a professional, not a proper repair.
The AA are very clear that repair kits are a temporary fix.
Michelin also stress that sealant is temporary and not suitable for long distance or high speed use, and that the tyre may have been damaged by being driven at low pressure before the sealant goes in.
TyreSafe explain that puncture repair kits are temporary measures only, and that proper repairs must be done by a specialist in line with British standards.
There is another practical issue. Sealant can make a tyre more difficult and messy to repair, and some fitters may prefer replacement depending on damage and contamination. Tyre repairs in the UK should follow the current British Standard BS AU 159, as referenced by the British Tyre Manufacturers Association.
Practical rule of thumb
Sealant is acceptable as an emergency tool if you understand the limits.
It is not suitable for sidewall damage, large tears, or tyres that have been driven flat. It will not rescue you from every puncture.
If you do use sealant, drive gently, keep speeds down, and get the tyre inspected properly as soon as possible.
This happens when someone chooses a tyre because it is popular, without checking load index and speed rating.
It is especially common when people retrofit a more rugged looking tyre. Make sure the tyre is suitable for your vehicle and your actual axle loads.
Campervans and motorhomes are heavy. Motorhomes can sit for long periods. Front axle loads can be higher than expected. Rear overhangs magnify movement.
That means tyres need more attention, not less. Regular pressure checks, proper inspections, and a realistic view of age and condition.
If you want my calm, slightly boring answer: most UK touring campervans are best served by a good all season van tyre.
Most heavier UK touring motorhomes are best served by a motorhome specific tyre with the right load capacity, often CP marked, and ideally with 3PMSF if you tour beyond summer.
If you genuinely go off the beaten track, park on wet grass often, or use a 4x4 conversion properly, then an all terrain tyre can be worth the compromises.
And whatever you choose, a spare tyre and the ability to change it safely is one of the best value upgrades you can make. It is not glamorous, but it is the difference between a ruined weekend and a quick reset.
If you are ever unsure, do the sensible thing: weigh the vehicle, read the sidewall markings, and speak to a specialist tyre fitter who understands campervans and motorhomes. Your tyres are carrying more than a vehicle. They are carrying your trip.
