Proper setup of the 5th Wheel on asphalt?

4 x 4 pad is 16 sq inches and for a 10000 # rv, that is about 155 # per sq inch less the support the tires give. A 8 x 8 is 64 sq inch and that is now just 39# per sq inch. I put at least a 6 x 6, usually a 8 x 10 for that reason.

BarneyS wrote:

korbe wrote:
snip...
I believe the quote is for tires not on the vehicle.

I don't see what difference it would make whether they were mounted or not.
Barney

Towmax tires
"Long Term Tire Storage & Care

Long term tire storage, or storage of seasonal use recreational vehicles requires special preparations. RVs should be raised on blocks, so weight is removed from the tires. Storage should be in a dry, cool, sealed garage.

If blocking is not possible, tire pressure should be increased 25% from inflation required for the loaded vehicle. The RV/trailer storage area should be level and well drained. Care should be taken to avoid prolonged tire contact with petroleum based substances: oils, fuels and asphalt. This can be accomplished by placing cardboard or plywood between all tires and storage surface.

The RV should be moved every three months to prevent flat spotting and ozone cracking at the tire sidewall flex point. Flat spots usually disappear, when the tires warm-up, after a 25+ mile drive. Flat spotting, which occurs on vehicles not moved for six, or more months may not disappear.

Tires on travel trailers, fifth wheels and cargo trailers stored outdoors, should be protected by opaque covers to prevent damage from sunlight."

Looking at several tire makers websites says much the same about storing tires on a surface such as asphalt or surfaces contaminated with oils/grease or fuels.

I put a few dimples in our asphalt driveway with my Bounder.

Our favorite park REQUIRES wood pads under stabilizers on asphalt. They MUST be wood...no plastic. I soon discovered our fiver seemed to be more stable using the 6 point hydraulic leveling system when using the wood. Use it all the time now. The park does normally have complimentary wood available for those people who don't have any when checking-in.

BarneyS wrote:

korbe wrote:
snip...
I believe the quote is for tires not on the vehicle.

I don't see what difference it would make whether they were mounted or not.
Barney

We as a people must use a little common sense here. Long term storage is not parking your rig on a surface for 4 months.

korbe wrote:
snip...
I believe the quote is for tires not on the vehicle.

I don't see what difference it would make whether they were mounted or not.
Barney

I put blocks under the front legs no matter the surface I park on and I use blocks under the rear stabilizer jacks mostly because they are so far off the ground. Hot asphalt can be a little soft. Had a flat time one time when it was 118 out and the jack keep sinking into the asphalt

JIMNLIN wrote:
How Not to Store Your Tires per Goodyear http://www.goodyearrvtires.com/tire-storage.aspx
..Don't store tires in an area that is wet, oily or greasy
..Don't store tires where they are subjected to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures
..Don't store tires near electric motors or other ozone-generating sources
..Don't store tires on black asphalt or other heat-absorbent surfaces
.Don't store tires on or adjacent to highly reflective surfaces such as sand or snow.
.......................................................

Major tire makers have their own recommendations on storing tires for long term and many sound like this from Cooper;http://us.coopertire.com/Tire-Safety/Tire-Safety-Tips/Storing-Tires.aspx
.."Avoid contact with petroleum-based products and/or other volatile solvents or substances."
..............................................

Some one says;
"I've never understood tires on any surface either. Don't we all park our cars and trucks on asphalt all the time?"
Keep in mind parking for a few days or over nite isn't parking long term for maybe months at a time such as our RV trailer with close to max weights on them.

I use wood blocks under my landing jacks on any surface at all times.

I believe the quote is for tires not on the vehicle.

jnharley wrote:
I have seen sites where the jacks went right thru the asphalt. We put blocks under our Big Foot jacks each time we park. Just something we have always done.

I've heard that some campgrounds have actually charged people for not putting blocks down and damaging asphalt. Concrete is a different story.

Lyle

How Not to Store Your Tires per Goodyear http://www.goodyearrvtires.com/tire-storage.aspx
..Don't store tires in an area that is wet, oily or greasy
..Don't store tires where they are subjected to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures
..Don't store tires near electric motors or other ozone-generating sources
..Don't store tires on black asphalt or other heat-absorbent surfaces
.Don't store tires on or adjacent to highly reflective surfaces such as sand or snow.
.......................................................

Major tire makers have their own recommendations on storing tires for long term and many sound like this from Cooper;http://us.coopertire.com/Tire-Safety/Tire-Safety-Tips/Storing-Tires.aspx
.."Avoid contact with petroleum-based products and/or other volatile solvents or substances."
..............................................

Some one says;
"I've never understood tires on any surface either. Don't we all park our cars and trucks on asphalt all the time?"
Keep in mind parking for a few days or over nite isn't parking long term for maybe months at a time such as our RV trailer with close to max weights on them.

I use wood blocks under my landing jacks on any surface at all times.