Quote:
Originally Posted by CWtheMan
“The RV Industry Association is the national trade association representing RV manufacturers and their component parts suppliers who together build more than 98 percent of all RVs produced in the U.S., and approximately 60 percent of RVs produced worldwide.”
RVIA has mandated changes in Original Equipment (OE) tire load capacity recommendations and design upgrades that are probably already showing-up on all new RV trailer models that display their RVIA membership placard.
IMO, any RV trailer manufacturer member that wants to remain a member is going to comply with RVIAs recommendations.
The basics are very simple. All RV trailer tires larger than 13” in OD must be radial designed tires.
RVIA recommends RV trailer manufacturer’s provide a 10% load capacity reserve, above the certified GAWRs for all OE tires. That means, a RV trailer with 3500# GAWR axles must have tires that that can provide 1925# of load capacity when inflated to the trailer manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation pressures found on the vehicle certification label.
I hope anyone that has a 2018 or later model RV trailer with a RVIA placard, will challenge the validity of their OE tires, if they do not meet the new RVIA standard.
There are a lot of bias ply tires still available from wholesalers. The RVIA bias ply tire recommendations do not include replacement tires. The recommendation is not legally binding in any way. Therefore, they can still be used as replacements for any tire fitments above 13” OD. They are much less expensive than radials. For those that only travel locally and only a couple times a year, they are the most economical solution.
Remember, RVIAs recommendations are in no way binding on the RV trailer industry. There is nothing to prevent the vehicle manufacturer from just leaving the RVIA seal of approval off the trailers they manufacturer. The vehicle manufacturer is still free to use the FMVSS without any government repercussions.
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Thanks CW!! Very useful information. I would encourage every prospective buyer/owner to read the information in red and double check that on any trailer you are thinking about buying. There seems to be a line at the upper end of travel trailers and the smaller/mid size 5vrs where tires are really skimped on. I don't recall seeing any trailer I've looked at that didn't have the RVIA sticker on it so chances are that whatever you are looking at (new) will have it. If so, the above would come into play and could certainly be useful.