Tire Covers.. White or Black?

[hotzfamily]

We've only ever had white tire covers... It's time to replace them, and I see black ones for sale, too. What's best?

[youroo]

White will be Cooler!Youroo!!

[Pipeman]

I use the black ones. Youroo is right about white being cooler.

[wana65stang]

Black or white your call, all I can say is put your hand on the side of a black car in the sun and put your hand on a white car in the sun, then ask yourself what colour you would want against your tires. Cheers

[Mr. Dan]

Black will block the sun's rays.
White will block the sun's rays.
I had black singles because they were on sale.
New trailer... larger tires, black covers wouldn't fit, I bought white doubles - they were on sale.

[5er_tom]

Tire covers are not necessary. There are chemicals in the tires that help resist sun damage.


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[Mojojojo]

Originally Posted by 5er_tom

Tire covers are not necessary. There are chemicals in the tires that help resist sun damage.


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We have seen cracked tires that contradicts that statement......
I will keep mine in the shade

[geotex1]

Originally Posted by 5er_tom

Tire covers are not necessary. There are chemicals in the tires that help resist sun damage.

Yes, there is antioxidant and UV-inhibitor package in all tire compounds. However, we tend to do two things wrong: 1) using the wrong cleaners and coatings on tires that strip away these essentials; and, 2) leave the tires sitting more than spinning and the the additives actually need that spinning to come distribute themselves as they are not "bound" at the chemical level. Covering provides sunscreen, and using 303 Aerospace Protectant on them after cleaning even better but you need to coat both sides and if sitting stationary for awhile hit the treads.

[f5moab]

Originally Posted by geotex1

Yes, there is antioxidant and UV-inhibitor package in all tire compounds. However, we tend to do two things wrong: 1) using the wrong cleaners and coatings on tires that strip away these essentials; and, 2) leave the tires sitting more than spinning and the the additives actually need that spinning to come distribute themselves as they are not "bound" at the chemical level. Covering provides sunscreen, and using 303 Aerospace Protectant on them after cleaning even better but you need to coat both sides and if sitting stationary for awhile hit the treads.

And number 2 is the reason that the NHTSA is researching accidents caused by aged tires. And last I read tires in trunks or under vehicles would last a bit longer than tires out in the sun (such as those hanging on the back of a Jeep/Hummer/Toyota FJ, etc.) If they are never mounted on the ground and used, they will crack and crack sooner from UV.

But getting back on subject....
Years ago, we had a discussion on black cases vs. white cases (primarily for gun cases, both hard and soft sided). We did our own little experiment with thermometers and guess what, the difference inside was negligible. Never tried it with a tire cover, but at least with a tire cover there is some air movement from the backside...

[hotzfamily]

thanks for all the comments. From other 'google' reviews, I've read it's not the heat (where black might absorb vs. white deflect) that messes with the tires, but the UV. It's hard to keep the white looking white, so even with a clean trailer, the tire covers make it look less so. Black may be a better option.