Travel trailer tire question

[3belkhunter]

All, Perhaps this has been addressed, but I have not used my TT for several months. Should I move it a few feet to partially rotate the tires and avoid a flat spot, or am I better off hooking it up and driving around to heat up the tires?
Thanks in advance - always appreciate the positive feedback!

[DocBrown]

Mine sits for months at a time, 6 months over the winter. I've never had issues with 3 trailers over a 26 year period.

[3belkhunter]

thanks!

[mokurt]

Good idea to check the air pressure.

[3belkhunter]

i do, thank you

[GuanoJuano]

I've always been told to keep them off the dirt. I have flat concrete blocks under my tires. Sits for months at a time. 6 months or more. Never had dry rot.

[2edgesword]

My TT sits for six months during the late Fall thru early Spring months. I've never had any issues with my tires (a single set over a five year period).

[Jagiven]

Mine sit in the same spot all winter in a storage facility.

Modern radicals are so much better than old bias tires

[RAurand]

Mine sits for 6 months on heavy 8x2 boards. I just go out periodically and check air pressure and inflate to 80 PSI if needed.

[skids]

I have seen many damning posts about China bombs, tires that are over three years old and blow-outs that destroy the wheel well. It is all scarey stuff. I can say that with motorcycle tires and tires on my rarely used pick-up truck seem to last better if I actually run them around every couple of weeks. I had a set of Michelins on the truck that started throwing chunks after 8 years or so. I just couldn't wer out those tires! I really think that the rubber needs working to keep them from dry rot. That said, it is a lot harder to do with a travel trailer, at least here in the high country of Colorado in the winter time...

[Peoples16127]

When I stored our camper this year, I lowered the hitch, put jack stands just behind the spring perch and raised the hitch. It takes most of the load off of the tires and springs, I do not think that keeping the tires at maximum inflation is necessary when you unload them and might extend the tire life by eliminating the strain on the rubber.

Rich

[Marmot]

Neither one. Just let it sit till you need it. My TT sits for 7 to 8 months each year on gravel. No flats spots have occurred in 5 years. It has Chinese-made Grand Ride tires

[Phil Saran]

Instead of using concrete bricks under your tires cut some 2' X 8" or 10"
blocks of wood to put under the tires.

[Quantum]

Originally Posted by Peoples16127

When I stored our camper this year, I lowered the hitch, put jack stands just behind the spring perch and raised the hitch. It takes most of the load off of the tires and springs, I do not think that keeping the tires at maximum inflation is necessary when you unload them and might extend the tire life by eliminating the strain on the rubber.

Rich

This is EXACTLY what I do. I then lower the pressure down to 25-30psi for the winter.

[eow]

From Goodyear:


Note the pressure recommendation of 25% over rated tire pressure if the tires will be loaded.

We empty our trailer of all contents and air up just before (when cold weather has already set in) moving to the storage facility to maximum rated pressure (not 25% over).

[mokurt]

Tires have a maximum pressure and mfg's operating pressure which is normally less than the max.

I would not exceed the max. that is on the tire.
Also check the date code if you do not know how old they are.

[bgelyhome]

On my Jayco Pinnacle, I connect and pull it about 5 miles about every 3 months. I also keep it on jacks when in storage. Surprising how many 5th wheel owners store their trailers on the tires and open slides without first leveling.

[3belkhunter]

thanks all and Happy New Year!

[jimmoore13]

It's far more important to cover your tires to prevent UV damage...assuming you are parked outside. Tire covers will prevent the sun from prematurely ruining your tires.

Illustration, not a recommendation: https://www.amazon.com/Classic-Acces...11&s=hi&sr=1-2

In my case, the curbside of the camper faces south when stored in my driveway, so I only need to cover the tires on that side. The north side tires are in permanent shade.

If you travel to RV parks and enjoy extended stays, it makes sense to cover the tires there, too.

While you're at it, a cover for the AC unit isn't a bad idea. It will protect the plastic housing from some UV damage.

[jimmoore13]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

<<SNIP>>
Modern radicals are so much better than old bias tires

Hey, I'm one of those modern "radicals" you're talking about.