Pros and Cons of RV Tire Covers

Written by Jeff Campbell in RV Tires Last Updated December 20, 2023

Do RV tire covers really make a difference in the lifespan of your RV’s tires? Some folks swear by them, while others never use them. To help you make the right decision, I researched the pros and cons of RV tire covers.

RV tire covers prevent UV rays from damaging the tires, which can crack prematurely. They also prevent rain and snow from causing corrosion and rust on the wheels. Apart from the inconvenience of taking them on and off and washing them occasionally, there is no substantial downside.

But there’s a lot more to know.

In this article, we’ll explore why people put tire covers on their tires, whether RV tire covers cause damage, and if RV tires should be covered in winter. But we’ll also check out whether black RV tire covers are bad.

Let’s dive right in.

pros cons rv tire covers lg

Why do people put tire covers on their RVs?

People put tire covers on their RVs to protect the tires from the damaging UV rays from the sun which can cause them to crack prematurely. They also keep out moisture or snow and dirt from collecting in the wheels and rims. They are an effective way to extend the life of the tires.

RV tires are expensive and are what keeps your RV going.

The safety of you and your loved ones is at stake. So, you want to protect the tires to ensure that they are in great condition and that you get the best value from your investment.

Over time, your tires can crack and split if they are repeatedly exposed to the rays of the sun. This makes them unsafe to drive on as it could lead to grave danger! The cracks are also known as dry rot. In time, a tire that’s cracked is more likely to be flat, puncture, and blow out!

Tire covers shield your tires from the harsh rays of the sun and consequently lengthen their lifespan. They also protect your tires and wheels from snow and rain. And they prevent rust on the wheels.

But they’re probably not for everyone. Some RVers are not always on the move, and the hassle of taking them on and off again every few days may not seem worth it.

If you’re staying at a campground for a while or you’ve decided to keep your RV in storage, tire covers can be a great investment.

But if you’re the type who’s hardly in a place for more than a few days, you can get away with not using them.

Do RV tire covers cause damage?

RV tire covers do not cause damage. On the contrary, they protect the tires and the wheels from the elements. In effect, they indirectly impact the safety of RV owners since the condition of the tires is a critical consideration.

But I wouldn’t put them on your tires while the tires are wet. That could lead to mold or mildew.

RV tire covers serve to protect the tires and wheels from rain. They also prevent the harmful rays of the sun from damaging the tires.

They prevent moisture from gaining access into the tire and its constituent parts. And they protect the tires from rust. So, there’s no question of them causing any damage.

But if they’re not properly fitted, perhaps a part flaps in the wind, it goes without saying that they cannot provide adequate protection. The exposed parts are susceptible to the harsh effects of the elements.

Should you cover RV tires in winter?

Covering RV tires in winter, especially if the vehicle will be parked for an extended period of time, is highly recommended. This is especially true in climates that are exceedingly cold in winter and get an excessive amount of snow.

The rule of thumb is that if your RV is going to be unused for 15 days or more in a row, the tires, if not the RV itself, should be covered.

Here we’re talking about tire covers. 

But I also have a recent article that gets into RV covers as a whole and whether they are worth having. After all, it’s one thing to slip a cover on 4 tires. It’s quite another to climb on the roof of your RV and slip a cover on the whole thing!

Just click that link to read it on my site.

But the longer the tires are exposed to harsh winter conditions, the higher the odds that they would be impacted by the elements. And winter, as you know, is a harsh season.

Did you know that there are folks who live in their RVs full time? 

What are the pros and cons? In a recent article, I shared 25 pros and cons of living full time in an RV. Is an RV cheaper than owning or renting a home?

Are its maintenance costs lower than that of a home? How do you earn an income while on the road? These and more are what I addressed in the article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Are black RV tire covers bad?

Black RV tire covers are not bad but should be avoided by those residing in the southwest where summer temperatures exceed 100° F. This is because black attracts more heat than any other color. But most RV tire covers come in black, gray, and white. So many RV owners use black tire covers.

Black tire covers are effective as a weatherproofing device for your tires.

Some RVers even prefer them to white or gray because they don’t have to be washed as much. But as I mentioned, if you live, and plan to have your RV parked extensively in Texas, New Mexico, or Arizona, gray or white may be a better option for you.

That’s just because the surface temperature of the tires can get really high under black tire covers when those summer temperatures soar.

But black can hide more dirt in case you’re too busy to wash up them. Just like our clothing, white or gray attire would easily show more dirt. But we all know that black traps more heat, so some people opt for other colors.

So you’ve decided to buy an RV to live in. What are the key things you ought to know before you sell everything you own? 

A recent article of mine is a deep dive into the theme. I looked at the best RV to live in year-round. I also spoke about whether you should buy a new or used RV.

I explained why class A RVs are the best motorhomes to live in year-round. I even revealed the most reliable RV to buy.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

What is the best color for RV tire covers?

The best color for RV tire covers in most locations is black as they prevent more UV rays and light than other colors. However, in the southwestern states such as Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, a lighter color is better due to the excess summer heat.

But gray is a good middle ground if you travel around a lot between hotter and milder climates.

But if you travel pretty consistently in other regions that are not as hot, black is the way to go because it does the job better.

In a recent article of mine, I took a deep dive into whether RV tires are worth it. In it, I explained how to take them on and off, and how to measure your tires to make sure you get the right size. And I get into whether the tires have to be off the ground before you put on the covers.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

What are the best RV tire covers?

Here are the best RV tire covers in different size categories:

Best RV Tire Covers for Larger Class C and Class A RVs

I like Moonet Tire Covers for larger RV tires, although they do offer smaller sizes too.

Moonet has really outdone themselves with their four-pack of RV tire covers. As we discussed in the article, black is the best color, so they are spot on with that. We also couldn’t believe the price of these tire covers.

You can pay anywhere from $18 to $26 for a pack of four, which is really good.

And while I know many larger RVs do have 6 tires, unless your rear axel tires are side by side, you only need 4 since you can’t get to those interior tires.

They have a wide range of options for you to choose from, ranging anywhere from 24 inches all the way up to 42 inches. So, once you know the diameter of your tires, they should have something for you.

They use an Oxford waterproof material that is resilient and will do a great job of blocking out not only the sun but most other harmful elements.

CLICK HERE to see them on Amazon

Best RV Tire Covers for Class C, B, Trailers & 5th Wheel RVs

For smaller tires, I prefer Explore Land Store Tough Tire Wheel Protectors.

They have more color options, and while these are not the cheapest out of the two, their price is most definitely worth it, and still currently under $50 bucks for a set of 4.

They have a variety of sizes that can fit anything from 23 inches to 34.75 inches.

They also have a selection of colors that you can choose from.

But I still recommend sticking with black, unless you live somewhere that gets super hot in the summertime.

The covers themselves are treated with an anti UV treatment that makes these covers one of the more resilient covers to sunlight.

All of this while still being able to protect your tires against things like rain, snow, dirt, and rust.

CLICK HERE to see them on Amazon

Conclusion

In the article, we found out why people put tire covers on their RVs. We looked at whether these RV tire covers cause damage.

And we considered if you should cover RV tires in winter. We also explored whether black RV tire covers are bad. Lastly, we wrapped things up by finding out the best color for RV tire covers.

Photos that require attribution:

Car tire covered with salt. Too much winter salt damages car parts and is bad for the environment by Ivan Radic and Spare Tire & Cover by Zaskoda are licensed under CC2.0 and were cropped, edited, merged, and had a text overlay added.

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