Treated wood under tires

[TimandChristine]

We received our new Sanibel 5th wheel and placed it at our seasonal camping site. Husband bought pretreated wood to place under the tires. Now we have heard that the pretreated wood (chemicals in it ) will destroy the tires within 6 months. Is this true ? if it is what do other people sit their tires on for long term sitting. We have only been doing 5th wheeling for couple of years and have traded up, do not want to ruin the tires !!!! so any information will be helpful. Tim and Chrisitine

[hotrodj125]

I haven't heard that, but does bring up an interesting thought. I am planning on making pads to park my 5th wheel on at home out of treated wood, but will follow ing discussion and see what others think or know about this, and i will post this same question on another page and see what happens. Thanks.

[garbonz]

Sounds like an old wives take to me. I can't imagine what would be in the pressure treatment nowadays (formulations have changed) to cause anything to the tire beyond what the normal exposure to weather would. There used to be some heavy duty arsenic compound and organic solvent in the treatment, but not anymore with all the environmental regs and such. The biggest issue with storage is having the tires sit in the same place for long periods of time, and most folks don't even worry about that.

Best idea is to jack the axles up and put jack stands or blocks under the axles and keep the tires off the ground entirely. I don't bother with that but know some folks that do.

IMHO

[TURBS]

I've not seen any info for or against using treated wood under trailer tires for extended periods.

[punkaccountant]

I never thought about treated wood being a problem for tires and I have been parking my trailer on a treated board for year's. I didn't buy the board with the sole purpose of parking my trailer on it but it was what I had on-hand at the time. Other than a couple completely disintegrating I have been fine. That last part was a joke. haha.

[Wiscampsin]

I use a roof shingle between the PT wood and our tires.

[BarryD0706]

Originally Posted by garbonz

... Best idea is to jack the axles up and put jack stands or blocks under the axles and keep the tires off the ground entirely. I don't bother with that but know some folks that do.

In general it's a really bad idea to jack up under the axles or put blocks under them. Most axles are not designed to take that force on their shafts.

[punkaccountant]

If you're still worried about it you could put a thin piece of plywood between the treated wood and the tires.

[jevanb]

I place mine on pressure treated 2x10`s with 1/8 sheet aluminum under so the board will not split and never any problems but I tend to only keep a trailer about 2-3 years

[pwrstroke2012]

Would the plastic Lynx levelers or composite board work good for this?

[jevanb]

Originally Posted by pwrstroke2012

Would the plastic Lynx levelers or composite board work good for this?

yes

[Filthy Beast]

Originally Posted by BarryD0706

In general it's a really bad idea to jack up under the axles or put blocks under them. Most axles are not designed to take that force on their shafts.

I may be wrong, but I thought that on my last fifth wheel with the torsion axles, the manufacturer recommended jacking up and supporting from the axle when stored for any length of time. I cannot verify this because I no longer have that trailer.

[rattleNsmoke]

What the tires need is air circulation and drainage for extended periods. Crushed gravel would be my first choice. I don't see any harm coming from leaving the tires on pressure treated lumber for a month or three. Dealers leave the trailers sitting around for years on asphalt or dirt.

[JeffMc]

Filthy Beast,
Page 11 of the manual. You are correct. It refers to storage, but I'm unsure of if it would be affected by people in and moving around the trailer. I doubt it would be that much different..

[bakken]

Treated wood may or may not hurt the tires, but why take the chance?
We jack our camper up for storage, taking all of the weight off the tires and torsion axles. It isn't that big of a job.

[ccarrington99]

I have pulled my camper up on some concrete patio blocks to keep the tires off the ground. Thought that may be better than having tires contacting ground.

[bodzcampers]

Originally Posted by Wiscampsin

I use a roof shingle between the PT wood and our tires.

Awesome suggestion!