Wood under Tires

[norsan]

We have a class A motorhome and was wondering why some park with wood or something else under their tires. Does this protect the tires?
Thanks for any help.

[elh3946]

[norsan]

Thanks. What about parking on gravel?

[TannerBee]

Nah, the wood is there to level. When we pull into a space, I position the coach where I want it, then look at the 'Hoppy' bubble levels on the dash (for side to side) and the wall (for front to back). The numbers on the gauge are roughly inches needed to bring the coach to level. So if the bubble on the dash level is between the '2' and '3' to the left, and the fore-and-aft bubble is on the '1' towards the rear, I'll pull the coach forward about four feet, and place the needed lumber under the wheels and back up onto it. I use 2x8s cut into 6', 4', and 2' lengths, and I made the cuts on a 45-degree on one end. In the above case, I would lay out two 6' pieces under the back right wheels, and two 4' pieces on top of those to make 'steps'. I would also put one 6' piece under the right front tire. Then I back up onto the boards and expect the coach to be within an inch of level all round. Then I yell at the wife because the front tire is half off the board. All this gets easy with practice, and is much more fun than pushing the silly button and using hydraulic levelers. It's Miller time!
_________________
Floyd and Tanner
Coachmen Santara 35
Rock Hill SC

Time is either spent or invested.

[Kirk]

norsan,

I can't say for sure about all tire manufacturers, but I know that Goodyear, BF Goodrich, Firestone and Michelin all recommend that when a vehicle is to be stored for an extended period and sitting on the tires, it should be parked with all tires located such that moisture will drain away from them and that a vapor barrier be placed between each tire and any surface that could hold moisture for an extended period.

For a tire to sit constantly on one spot and remain damp for long periods will increase the rate of decomposition of the fibers in the tire. They will fare best if kept dry and properly inflated, and are protected from direct exposure to the sun.

My primary source for this information is the Goodyear tire care guide which I requested from the company.
_________________
Good travelin !................Kirk
URL: www.adventure.1tree.net
Sent via Starband, Manual Flyer dish.

[DXSMac]

Does it have to be wood? Can I use my Lynx Blox for this?

JJ
_________________
Please check out my blog on RV'ing without a tow car:

http://rvingtoadless.blogspot.com/

Feel free to leave me any comments.

[elh3946]

No, it does not have to be wood...it can be anything that allows water to wick away from the tires and doesn't allow direct contact with concrete or asphalt surfaces.
_________________
LindaH
2007 Excel Classic 30RKE
2007 Dodge Ram 3500, Cummins diesel
On the road fulltiming...see where we are now:
http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167

[Motor31]

Another thing to consider is that it is very bad for tires to remain stationary for protracted times. The rubber will lose some of the oils it contains from contact with the ground (concrete/asphalt). It also takes a "set" due to the weight being on one spot. If you can move the RV a bit by driving/towing a few miles and then re park it so that the tires are in a different position, it will help avoid the tires getting brittle from the static position and leeching situation. It helps to redistribute the natural oils in the tire and keep it from degrading.

Tires are always "under attack" from the ozone, sunshine and normal decay from age. Using some "preservative" products or products sold to help make the tires look good can also take a toll on them. The manufacturers recommend not applying anything to the tire other than soap and water. Some of the tire care products contain petroleum and that helps to degrade the rubber in the tire. Taking care of them will help avoid costly and dangerous failures while you travel.
_________________
Mike, Nancy and the Fuzzies
2005 MS 38 RL3
2001 Volvo MH (HDT)
2004 R1150RT (piggyback)
1996 Jeep Cherokee (toad)

[froglady55]

That all depends - if you are on gravel for a long-time storage, imagine what your knees or bottom look like - then multiply the weight!
If on grass, and it's wet, you sink - sometimes a lot.
There are technical reasons, but this is simplified.
_________________
Age is just a state of mind - unless you are cheese or wine.

[dhbando]

I always put wood under tires while in my storage space rental area and was also lowering my jacks to take the pressure off the tires, but in reading, I was told it was not a good idea to continually have jacks down so I leave them retracted
_________________
Dan

[kingrokon]

For long-term storage, the preferred method is to block the vehicle up high enough so that the tires aren’t even touching the ground. Sturdy blocks or jack-stands are safer than relying on jacks. (Hydraulic jacks will creep slowly downwards under applied pressure after a few days. The hydraulic “bottle” jacks are notorious for doing this.)

Obviously, most people aren’t going to go to the trouble of doing this; unless they’re putting the vehicle up for at least a few months. But for putting a vehicle in storage for more than a year, storing a classic, etc. – blocking the wheels off the ground is the way to go.

It’s been said elsewhere many times, but bears repeating: when storing a vehicle for a long period of time, protect the tires from sunlight by covering them, or parking the vehicle in a place where the sun won’t shine on the tires.

[dhbando]

I'm now told I need 2 front tires. Tire dealer told me that most people are replacing them with truck tires because they at least $100 less than RV tires.
Anybody have any comments?
_________________
Dan

[Motor31]

I assume you are using the motorhome in your avatar. Chances are the person who told you that is correct. If you are using 22.5" low profile or 24" tires, those are standard truck tires and you can get them at any truck tire location. I don't doubt that an RV supply place would have a premium on their tires, and another consideration would be that they don't turn their tire stock over nearly as often as a truck tire store. You will be more likely to get an "old" new tire there than at a truck place since they are selling tires more often.

Keep in mind that the tires on your front or steering axle will be different from the drive axles for most brands.

FWIW, the 17.5" tires on my 5th wheel are also "truck tires" and they were the OEM supplied item.
_________________
Mike, Nancy and the Fuzzies
2005 MS 38 RL3
2001 Volvo MH (HDT)
2004 R1150RT (piggyback)
1996 Jeep Cherokee (toad)

[dhbando]

Tires are for a 36' class A Gulfstream. Got the quote from a tire dealer, not an RV place.
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Dan

[porscheracer]

One thing that has not been mentioned . . .

Parking for protracted times on dirt is not good for tires. There are microbes in the soil that eat rubber (why tire shards eventually disappear off the roadside). If you are parking on an unpaved surface, a barrier will prevent the "rubber-eating termites" (so to speak) from attacking the tires.

I have lots of stuff that stays parked for long periods, and the stuff that sits on dirt/gravel gets a plywood pad. Also, a piece of plywood or a leaf bag will serve as a sunshade for the tires. Direct sunlight is the real killer as far as UV deterioration.
_________________
Norm & Janet
'08 Winnebago View 24H / '09 Escape XLT AWD toad
'05 Winnebago Vectra 36RD / '03 Dakota QC 4x4 toad, or a 24' trailer with another car;
Probably somewhere in NA - or maybe on another continent.