Best Tyres for Towing a Caravan Across the Nullarbor

The Nullarbor is not an off-road challenge — it’s a sealed-highway endurance test. Hour after hour at highway speed, in 40°C heat, with a heavy van behind you and no tyre service for hundreds of kilometres. The tyre that fails here fails from heat and overload, not rocks. Getting construction, load rating and pressures right is what keeps you rolling.

What construction should a tow-vehicle tyre have?

For towing across remote highway, light-truck (LT) construction is the sensible default. LT tyres have a stronger carcass that meets higher load requirements and offers far better puncture and heat resistance than passenger-rated rubber — a real advantage when the nearest spare service is hours away. Guides suggest 8- or 10-ply ratings to resist stone damage on the gravel verges and rest areas. If you’re weighing LT against a reinforced passenger tyre, our full take is in do you need LT-construction tyres, and the reinforced-vs-standard question is covered in XL vs standard load tyres.

How much load rating do you need?

This is non-negotiable, and it’s a legal requirement: each tyre’s load rating must at least meet your vehicle’s placard, and your combined rating must comfortably exceed your fully loaded weight. As a worked example from towing guides, a tandem-axle van with a 2,000 kg GTM needs each of its tyres to carry at least 600 kg — a load index of 90. The same logic applies to the tow vehicle once you add the towball download and your own load. Weigh your rig loaded and match the load index with margin; the towing-specific rules are in tyre rules for towing: load ratings, GVM and GCM explained.

Highway-terrain or all-terrain for the Nullarbor?

Because the Nullarbor is almost entirely sealed, a highway-terrain (H/T) or a touring all-terrain is the better choice than an aggressive A/T or mud-terrain. H/T tyres run coolest and quietest at sustained highway speed — exactly what a long hot crossing demands — while a touring A/T adds a little gravel-verge and side-trip capability. Check the speed rating: LT all-terrains often sit around T or H, which is still comfortably above the legal towing speed, so it’s rarely a limitation. For coastal detours or the drier tracks off the highway, see tyre choice for Nullarbor and long-haul highway runs.

How do you manage heat and pressure at highway speed?

Heat is the enemy on the Nullarbor. Run your correct laden pressures on the sealed highway — under-inflation for the load is the number-one cause of tyre failure while towing, and excessively hot tyres are a warning sign of low pressure (or a brake or bearing problem). Do not run lowered off-road pressures on the bitumen. Only air down (to around 25 psi) if you leave the seal for dirt, keep speeds under 80 km/h while aired down, and reinflate before returning to the highway. Detailed towing figures are in tyre pressures for towing a caravan, and the number most people forget is in spare tyre pressure.

What about spares out there?

Services are sparse across the Nullarbor, so carry at least one properly inflated full-size spare and consider matching your van and vehicle tyre sizes where possible so a spare can serve both. For heavier tow rigs, cross-reference best towing tyres for a large seven-seat SUV, for a dual-cab ute and for a van. If wear life is your priority on a long tour, see best long-lasting tyres for a dual-cab ute.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need light-truck tyres to tow across the Nullarbor?

LT or reinforced construction is strongly recommended for towing a heavy van on remote highway, because of the stronger carcass, better heat resistance and puncture resistance far from help. A quality reinforced passenger tyre may suit lighter rigs — match the load rating to your loaded weight.

Is a highway-terrain or all-terrain better for the Nullarbor?

For a mostly sealed crossing, a highway-terrain runs coolest and quietest and is the better pick. Choose a touring all-terrain only if you plan gravel side-trips; a mud-terrain is the wrong tool for a hot highway run.

What tyre pressure should I run towing on the highway?

Run your correct laden pressures for the load, as specified for your vehicle and load — not lowered off-road pressures. Excessive tyre heat usually means pressure is too low. Reinflate to highway pressures before any bitumen after airing down for dirt.

How many spares should I carry across the Nullarbor?

At least one properly inflated full-size spare, and ideally a matched size between vehicle and van so a spare covers both. Services are far apart, so don’t set off with a flat or ancient spare.

Bottom line: For a Nullarbor tow, the winning tyre is a highway-terrain or touring all-terrain in LT/reinforced construction, with a load index that clears your loaded weight and a speed rating above your tow speed. Set laden pressures, keep an eye on heat, and carry a real spare.

Authority sources

• RV Daily — caravan & 4×4 tyre guide
• Club 4X4 — essential tyre guide
• Australian Government — Vehicle Standards Bulletins (VSB 14)

Load ratings, speed ratings and pressures vary by vehicle, van and load, and towing rules vary by state. Confirm your figures against the vehicle placard, your loaded weights and your state road authority, and check current fitment and pricing with a retailer.