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Old 10-24-2019, 07:28 PM   #1
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Thumbs down Parking on large gravel

Storage this winter is on a gravel lot. The gravel is on the large side, and sharper than usual, broken limestone. I noticed that most people put a board under each tire to provide a smoother parking surface. Is this overkill or do I need to go buy some boards? Thoughts?
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Old 10-24-2019, 07:36 PM   #2
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Picture of the gravel? Be safe and use a board if you aren't sure.
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Old 10-24-2019, 08:46 PM   #3
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I have stored my 24' Sunseeker on that type of gravel for two years now (going on three) and have had no problems. It is rough on the knees though when putting on those tire covers so if you do that take something to kneel on along with you. I haven't really noticed any other campers using boards or anything under their tires either. Seems to me that a board would trap water which is something you do not want. If your worried perhaps a rubber, open weave, doormat or tile under each tire would be better.
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Old 10-25-2019, 10:49 AM   #4
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Believe there was a post quite a while ago that a MH owner used a stall mat from Tractor Supply cut into pieces to fit under his tires when storing it for the off-season
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Old 10-25-2019, 11:05 AM   #5
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Depends on someone's definition of gravel on the "large side."

Once gravel gets above class 2 it is often then referred to as stone.

We can't see it unless you post a photo with something in the picture as a reference. (like a quarter)

If you do decide to park on a board, do not use treated lumber unless you put a shingle or something on it to keep the tire from being in direct contact with the chemicals that can leach out which are used to treat lumber.

The mention of a rubber stall mat (cut into the appropriate size(s) is good advice.
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Old 10-25-2019, 11:16 AM   #6
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My TT is parked on boards on top of my asphalt drive to spread the weight of the trailer over a much larger area and reduce the impression ( tire footprint) on the surface of the driveway. You have the same thing going on, only you are on gravel where your tire will " leave a divot" because of the load and area. Then the tire will be up out of the muck if you put boards under it. Don't know about treated vs non treated. Mine are treated and haven't noticed any detrimental effect, but maybe, boards are 3+ yrs old by this time
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Old 10-25-2019, 11:47 AM   #7
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Anything of mine that sits on anything other than pavement has boards under them. It is cheap and easy preventive maintenance. Gravel is not as bad as dirt/ grass but still. In my area it freezes and thaws so the heaving of the ground will sink tires a couple inches by spring. The boards spread the load out.
Moisture is not a issue, as the wood is not going to be any wetter than the ground under it. Never heard about PT wood and tires from the manufacturers, but lots of folks saying not to. Maybe that was before environmental friendly PT wood? Eh, maybe I'll just start using Trex under it. $80 a stick though
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Old 10-25-2019, 12:44 PM   #8
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In a way "rather large size gravel" is the best surface to store a vehicle on.

There's no impact to damage tires and tire rubber won't get cut just sitting on it or when slowly moving into parking position.

The big benefit is that the gravel will drain away water so the tires aren't sitting an puddles which can do damage if left there long term.

Using boards is fine but you don't want the board to form a divot and collect water for the tire tread to just sit in.
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Old 10-25-2019, 12:56 PM   #9
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In a way "rather large size gravel" is the best surface to store a vehicle on.
Depends on how big. Get some 3" gravel(crushed rock) and its pretty pointy. Not sure I would be storing a tire on it. Standard 3/4" gravel is another story.
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Old 10-25-2019, 01:35 PM   #10
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Depends on how big. Get some 3" gravel(crushed rock) and its pretty pointy. Not sure I would be storing a tire on it. Standard 3/4" gravel is another story.
Agree but the "Pointyness" is going to depend a lot on what kind of rock is being crushed and that's pretty much determined by the region.

Here we have both Granite and Basalt. One crushes with fewer "points" and the other has sharp points you could make primitive arrowheads out of them.
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Old 10-25-2019, 01:44 PM   #11
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Agree but the "Pointyness" is going to depend a lot on what kind of rock is being crushed and that's pretty much determined by the region.

Here we have both Granite and Basalt. One crushes with fewer "points" and the other has sharp points you could make primitive arrowheads out of them.
Agree...since the OP says the gravel is on the large side and pointier than usual, I asked him to post a picture of it.
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Old 10-25-2019, 01:55 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by n-e-d View Post
Believe there was a post quite a while ago that a MH owner used a stall mat from Tractor Supply cut into pieces to fit under his tires when storing it for the off-season
That’s exactly what we use but we’re indoors on concrete.
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Old 10-25-2019, 04:07 PM   #13
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That’s exactly what we use but we’re indoors on concrete.
Yup. That's what I remember,Keeps tire from deteriorating due to long contact with concrete. Should work with sharp edged gravel as well
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Old 10-25-2019, 04:13 PM   #14
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Parking on gravel

I have always parked my camper on boards, but the dealer told me that since I have a gravel pad, no board is necessary and should not be used. I was told that the boards trap moisture on the bottom of the tires. So I have used no boards for the past 5 years and no problems. (Check the dealer's lots - Do they have boards under their units for people who may store their units there?

Definitely use boards if parking on grass.
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Old 10-25-2019, 04:34 PM   #15
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Yup. That's what I remember,Keeps tire from deteriorating due to long contact with concrete. Should work with sharp edged gravel as well
Mine stays on concrete when I'm home. Never have had a problem. I wonder if that is just sort of an urban legend, or maybe it was more true with older type tires??
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Old 10-25-2019, 05:26 PM   #16
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The tire brochure that came with our Michelin RV tires (255/80R-22.5) says that anytime you’re storing your motorhome for more than 30 days to put a rubber mat under the tires.
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Old 10-26-2019, 07:16 PM   #17
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Here's the picture

Here's the picture and that is a quarter sitting there.
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Old 10-27-2019, 08:02 AM   #18
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Here's the picture and that is a quarter sitting there.
Attachment 218139
Looks OK to me.
I'd have no problem parking on that.
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Old 10-27-2019, 08:55 AM   #19
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HDPE “wall scuff” used inside 53’ semi trailers to protect the walls from fork lift damage is a great liner to put under tires. It’s very light, easily cut to length and not affected at all by moisture.

http://www.mydigipub.com/publication/?i=280511#{"issue_id":280511,"page":383}

Available at roadparts.com
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