Exercising tires on a coach that’s parked for a while

For those whose coach are not hibernated for the winter, getting them out every 4-6 week for a run of all systems, is a good practice. We're not in a hibernating location, and get our's our for a regular run in the 4-6 week window (Shoot for 4 weeks, but life happens:)!). We start the generator, put a medium load on it. Run the HydroHot, including the in coach multiple heat zone registers. Run the roof AC's for a bit, and also OTR AC and Heater for a bit (Well usually it's warm, so we run the OTR Heater then the OTR AC...). We run a regular route that we like, in non heavy traffic, for about an hour. Getting tires, engine, transmission up to operating temperatures.

We do not have jacks, air leveling, so our 40' DP, fully loaded with water and food supplies (Our Emergency Prep vehicle for Southern California Fires, Earthquakes and occasional brown outs/power failures.) - so it is not as light as it could be:)!

Cost very little in the overall scheme of things, to exercise a coach, if location and weather conditions allow you to do so.

Best to all,
Smitty

I'd suggest tire covers to keep the sun off of them.

I just drove the rv down the rode,about a twenty mile run, do it every so often as long as the salts have been washed off the road,s. and ran the gen set all the way, helps?? who knows, but I think it keeps things freed up ,so I,ll do it.in ohio your lucky if you do this couple times a winter. I will not take it out in bad wet weather.

Great research Ron with all the tire experts. I try to move my coach once every 2 weeks just because I want too. Last year I was really sick and the coach sat 6-9 months and it didn’t get moved. Didn’t seem to effect it! Good question!!

Maybe there is a market for an electric tire rotater that you park on and it continuously turns all of your tires. :)

The Michelin website has this to say about tire storage. This is basically the advice that has been given about tires for decades, regardless of being bias or radial ply. Of course, these are only the opinions of the tire engineers and the manufacturer.

If tires are on a vehicle parked for a long period, the weight of the vehicle needs to be taken off the tires by jacking it up or removing the tires. Failure to do this may cause irreversible damage.

And Continental says:
As an additional note, don’t let a vehicle sit on tires for extended periods of time. Long-term inactivity is more harmful to tires than weekly drives. Driving on your tires will help flex the tire and maintain oil dispersion within the rubber compounds.

Toyo says:
If you have to store a vehicle for long periods of time, the constant weight on the tires can cause tire damage. If you can, move the vehicle or take it out for a short drive every once in a while – you’ll relieve the stress on the tire and help keep the tire’s rubber compounds lubricated and supple. If your vehicle is stored outside, cover the tires to protect them from direct sunlight.

Yokohama says:
Long term storage, or storage of seasonal vehicles; i.e. RV's, boat trailers and show cars requires special preparations. Vehicles should be raised on blocks, so weight is removed from the tires.
If blocking is not possible, tire pressure should be increased 25% from inflation required for the loaded vehicle. Vehicles 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 vehicles stored out-of-doors, should be protected by opaque covers to prevent damage from sunlight.

Goodyear says:
Ideally, a vehicle in storage should be placed on blocks to remove all weight from the tires. If the vehicle cannot be put on blocks, follow these steps for tire protection:

Completely unload the vehicle so that minimum weight will be placed on the tires.
Inflate tires to recommended operating pressure plus 25%. Ensure that the rim manufacturer’s inflation capacity is not exceeded.
Be sure the storage surface is firm, clean, well drained and reasonably level.
Avoid moving the vehicle during extremely cold weather.
Move the vehicle at least every three months to prevent ozone cracking in the tire bulge area, as well as “flat-spotting” from the prolonged strain of sidewall and tread deflection.
Adjust inflation before putting the vehicle back into service.

It seems that all of the engineers seem to have close to the same opinion of what you should do if you plan to store your vehicle for a period of time. They even talk about flat spots on radial tires. Perhaps they know what they are talking about. :B

Every spring the northbound lane from Ocala to Atlanta is littered with tire carcasses...hmmmm!

My coach sat for 6 months with no jacks down. Just checked the tire pressures and drove it out. Didn't have any problems.

We never did, but we did have jacks down and lifted some weight off the suspension and tires so that they didn't hold the entire weight of the coach. Even when already level. This also stops bouncing and movement. We have been parked up to 6 months many times and our tires are fine.

Fleet may be right but I move my TT tires every two months if in storage.