Are winter tyres compulsory for caravans?
The winter tyre requirement does not apply to trailers - this was also the message in the official letter from DEKRA (Deutscher Kraftfahrzeug-Überwachungs-Verein) dated 29 November 2010. This conclusion can also be drawn from the Highway Code.
With regard to the winter tyre requirement, this refers to motor vehicles - trailers do not fall into this category and form a separate vehicle class. Depending on the type of trailer, road users can therefore decide for themselves which type of tyre they consider to be the right one.
What are the benefits of winter tyres on a caravan?
An unbraked, single axle trailer is very likely to run as desired on snow, even with summer tyres, if a careful driving style is adopted. The situation is different with braked trailers. These are not only exposed to lateral forces (which occur when cornering), they must also be able to brake without locking. For this type of trailer, and especially for heavy trailers that are to be moved a lot in winter (e.g. caravans), winter tyres can make perfect sense, even if winter tyres are not mandatory.
Do the winter tyres have to come off the caravan in summer?
No, there is no law that prohibits the use of winter tyres in summer. However, the rubber compound of winter tyres is designed for cold temperatures and wear increases drastically in hot summer conditions.
Otherwise, do the same regulations apply as for summer tyres?
Yes. Winter tyres must also not be older than six years for 100 km/h approval. The DOT number on the tyre sidewall provides information about this. Of course, the load capacity must also match the permissible total weight of the caravan and must not be less than the value specified in the vehicle registration document.
Are winter tyres available ex works?
As winter tyres are not compulsory, our vehicles are delivered with summer tyres from the factory. If required, your Dethleffs authorised dealer or service partner can certainly make you a suitable offer.
What actually is a winter tyre?
Since 01.01.2018, the winter tyre definition has only been fulfilled if the Alpine symbol (mountain pictogram with snowflake) can be found on the sidewall in addition to the conventional M+S symbol. In order not to force consumers to change their tyres immediately, there is a transitional period, meaning that until 30.09.2024, tyres are only permitted with an M+S marking if they were produced before 31.12.2017. Nevertheless, it is advisable to change them beforehand, as the tyres with snowflakes have been tested on snow using a standardised braking test and are therefore safer.