Moving Rv every 3 months to protect tires after sitting.

[quick83]

I know this is an old subject and I’ve looked at a lot of peoples comments and tire company recommendations and information , but what I would like to know is real world information. Our rv sits from November 1st to May first every year. Do any of you really ever move your RV to protect the tires? I have never done it and I’ve never had a problem that I know of. I am wondering if anybody has really ever had a flat spot or problem or blowout with their tires after sitting for a winter of not being used. A lot of people say with modern tires we do not need to worry about it but if you research it, the tire companies are still saying that you should move your RV every 3 months. So anyways does ANYBODY really do this. Thanks very much for your input.

Oh I forgot to say I park my tires on 1 inch thick wood planks on asphalt and I do keep my tires covered and aired up to 100psi max while sitting.

[BehindBars]

I have left a motorhome or boat trailer sitting for 6 months without moving many times. I’ve never had any problems with tires related to the long term sitting. No matter what anyone else might say about it, until I have some kind of issue with it, it’s not on my worry list.

[Dave Lyon]

I've never done this and mine stays stored the same time frame a you. Tires call for 50 PSI. When I store the trailer I air up the tires to 55 PSI and park it.

I have the OEM Carstar tires on my trailer (2012) and there are no visual signs of weathering ect. and never had a flat spot.

FWIW- I'm swapping out my tires this spring as I don't want to push my luck.

[hack522]

I have the 09 23SS and it sits from November until April. Since I cover it, no movement whatsoever. Never been an issue.

[NMWildcat]

This is one of those things that if it makes you feel better, do it. But it doesn't really accomplish anything else.
We have HD farm trailers and equipment that are only used once a year. The rest of the time they never move. The tires don't care

[kenandterry]

Put my comments right alongside everyone else here so far.

Prepare for stowing with maximum tire pressure, covered and on clean hard surface.

Come on spring.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

This is one of those things that if it makes you feel better, do it. But it doesn't really accomplish anything else.
We have HD farm trailers and equipment that are only used once a year. The rest of the time they never move. The tires don't care

This suggested practice of moving every 3 months belongs in the instruction manual that recommends annual air changes in tires

Once the tire warms up any flat spot that might have formed disappears.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

This is one of those things that if it makes you feel better, do it. But it doesn't really accomplish anything else.
We have HD farm trailers and equipment that are only used once a year. The rest of the time they never move. The tires don't care

I bet they are neither covered nor on hard surfaces, either.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

I bet they are neither covered nor on hard surfaces, either.

You got it. Some are even irrigated regularly

[hikerjohn7]

Originally Posted by quick83

I know this is an old subject and I’ve looked at a lot of peoples comments and tire company recommendations and information , but what I would like to know is real world information. Our rv sits from November 1st to May first every year. Do any of you really ever move your RV to protect the tires? I have never done it and I’ve never had a problem that I know of. I am wondering if anybody has really ever had a flat spot or problem or blowout with their tires after sitting for a winter of not being used. A lot of people say with modern tires we do not need to worry about it but if you research it, the tire companies are still saying that you should move your RV every 3 months. So anyways does ANYBODY really do this. Thanks very much for your input.

Oh I forgot to say I park my tires on 1 inch thick wood planks on asphalt and I do keep my tires covered and aired up to 100psi max while sitting.

I've read that letting tires sit stationary for long periods is bad due to flat-spotting and lack of circulation of oils in the rubber.

Here's a link on it. It applies more to storage of tires off the vehicle and I can't vouch for the accuracy of this but it's interesting. Don't miss the last paragraph on the circulating the oils in the rubber.

https://www.utires.com/articles/how-...t-if-not-used/

[Nomore9-5]

Originally Posted by quick83

I know this is an old subject and I’ve looked at a lot of peoples comments and tire company recommendations and information , but what I would like to know is real world information. Our rv sits from November 1st to May first every year. Do any of you really ever move your RV to protect the tires? I have never done it and I’ve never had a problem that I know of. I am wondering if anybody has really ever had a flat spot or problem or blowout with their tires after sitting for a winter of not being used. A lot of people say with modern tires we do not need to worry about it but if you research it, the tire companies are still saying that you should move your RV every 3 months. So anyways does ANYBODY really do this. Thanks very much for your input.

Oh I forgot to say I park my tires on 1 inch thick wood planks on asphalt and I do keep my tires covered and aired up to 100psi max while sitting.

I'm assuming when you use the word rv you might be using it to refer to a motorhome . If it's not what I'm about to say doesn't apply .

Due to covid this year we had to stay home and winterize our mh . Since we'd never done this I did some online research on what to do and not do. One of don't was moving the unit while in storage.The reason given is running the engine for short periods of time is the contaminents produced getting into engine oil . The other reason is the possiblity of rotting the exhaust . Running the engine produces moisture and if the exhaust system doesn't get hot enough it doesn't have a chance of " burning out " that moisture .

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by hikerjohn7

I've read that letting tires sit stationary for long periods is bad due to flat-spotting and lack of circulation of oils in the rubber.

Here's a link on it. It applies more to storage of tires off the vehicle and I can't vouch for the accuracy of this but it's interesting. Don't miss the last paragraph on the circulating the oils in the rubber.

https://www.utires.com/articles/how-...t-if-not-used/

Love to hear what Tireman9 or Titan Mike have to say about this.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by Nomore9-5

Due to covid this year we had to stay home and winterize our mh . Since we'd never done this I did some online research on what to do and not do. One of don't was moving the unit while in storage.The reason given is running the engine for short periods of time is the contaminents produced getting into engine oil . The other reason is the possiblity of rotting the exhaust . Running the engine produces moisture and if the exhaust system doesn't get hot enough it doesn't have a chance of " burning out " that moisture .

Those of us who grew up in the Upper Midwest are well-acquainted with this. In my teens and early twenties I changed mufflers and tailpipes every 2-3 years. I still cringe when I see someone fire up the car to go a mile to 7-11 when it's frosty.

[Cover Dog]

We have Michelin tires on our motorhome and they recommend when storing for a long time on concrete to put a barrier between the tire and the concrete surface. We use horse stall mats cut to size, which are thick rubber approximately 3/4” thick and park our motorhome on these mats.

[Nomore9-5]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

Love to hear what Tireman9 or Titan Mike have to say about this.

I've heard about this as well and maybe why there's a common belief that rv ( especially motorhome tires) have an average life of about 6 years no matter the mileage on them. With the tires sitting at a campground etc for lengthy periods there's no circulation of the oils like there would be driving your car throughout the year

Article you linked might also explain why you see some newer model cars with tires filled with nitrogen as opposed to standard air

[RickV]

I have had tires on my 5ver separate from sitting on concrete in my pole barn for extended periods of time and flat spotting. I got these things called tralierlegs that you put under your axles and pull up on them. I haven't had a tire issue in about 2.5 years. The tires are about an inch off the ground and as a side benefit it makes the 5ver real stable.

[mike.t]

Originally Posted by Cover Dog

We have Michelin tires on our motorhome and they recommend when storing for a long time on concrete to put a barrier between the tire and the concrete surface. We use horse stall mats cut to size, which are thick rubber approximately 3/4” thick and park our motorhome on these mats.

Stall mats or barn mats are also great for the bed of a truck, cheap too.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/barn%20mats?

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

Love to hear what Tireman9 or Titan Mike have to say about this.

No you don't. Thread might get closed when elaborating on how much of this is pure horse- ****.

Flat spoting of tires is mostly a bygone problem from early days of nylon in tires. Back then if a tire sat overnight, and you drove to quick to soon, the rearview mirror wouldn't stay in place.

As for the "oils", waxes, plasticizers, that are in tires, letting a vehicle sit for 6 months at a time isn't all that big a deal. A year or two? Maybe.

Want to get the most out of RV tires?

Go camping more often and worry less. Buy good tires and stop worrying.

[dahagen]

I spend 6 months in a motorhome in Arizona on cement without a problem. For 10 years.

[Foothills]

Don’t think you can go wrong with good inflation, getting off concrete or ground, out of the sun, and occasional tire protectant. All without moving.