Long-term parking effects on tires

Michelin says it is best to cover them and to put something between them and ground, gravel, or concrete.
I use the flexible cutting boards between the tires and whatever I am parked on if it is going to be more than a week or so. Same for tire covers.
I changed my first set of tires out at a little over seven years and they still looked great.
Michelin says the replace them after no more than ten years but to have them inspected each year after five.

gat75 wrote:
If I am planning on leaving my 5W parked for longer term (+2-weeks), I jack up each wheel & place axle on adjustable jack stand. This keeps the weight off of the tires. I personally feel that this is more of an issue than any chemical issues with ground touching tires. Doing this also makes living in the RV much more stable; (mine stays parked at the lake 80% pf the time). If you decide to do this, I can send you more info if you like. I also use wheel covers to keep the elements off of tires.

I would be interested in learning more.

ray.mcdonough@verizon.net

Try www.michelinrvtires.com for their advise.

The biggest long term parking effect on tires is the lack of tread wear convinces people they can run the tires longer than is safe.

I've even met folks who brag about their tires being seven years old and not showing wear. "Good for another seven years"

Parking on something other than concrete, asphalt, grass, gravel or ground helps keep the tires in better condition. Using UV protection - be it covers or chemicals helps. Making sure the tires are inflated properly when traveling helps even more. Making sure the axles and brakes are in good working order helps.

Making sure to not run the tires over their speed rating regularly or over they load rating really helps.

But no matter what you do - tires need to be replaced no more than six years after their manufacture date. That ends up being five years of use for most tires.

Be careful when you buy new tires - they could already be over a year or 18 months old. Check the manufacture date, and if they are over six months old - don't take them. The shop will try to put on the oldest tires in their inventory.

I actually had a shop tell me "Wait a minute - he pulled out the wrong set" when I went to check the mfg date on a new set of tires for my truck. The ones they brought out next were five months old.

If I am planning on leaving my 5W parked for longer term (+2-weeks), I jack up each wheel & place axle on adjustable jack stand. This keeps the weight off of the tires. I personally feel that this is more of an issue than any chemical issues with ground touching tires. Doing this also makes living in the RV much more stable; (mine stays parked at the lake 80% pf the time). If you decide to do this, I can send you more info if you like. I also use wheel covers to keep the elements off of tires.

Yes, I would take them off and put them inside! Just kidding!!! 2-3 months is short term and the lack of use (not heating them up) may cause you to loose air pressure, but thats it. The UV can be more damaging.

I have read on here that parking on the ground or concrete is bad for tires. I have mine parked on concrete blocks that are 16 by 16 and 4 inches thick. I have not seen any thing that makes my tires go bad yet, but then I replace my tires every 5 or 6 years any way.