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Smokey_Lew's avatar
Smokey_Lew
Explorer
Oct 31, 2017

Help preventing flat-spotting

Does anyone use Flatstoppers to help lessen the chance of getting a flat spot on their RV tires? I have a 36 foot 5th wheel that sits on my concrete drive for two to four months between trips. Worried because my other trailer did get flat spots after sitting about a year. The 5th wheel has very expensive tires (Goodyear LT 235/85R16 Load Range G) about two years old and I want to preserve them for as long as possible.

Flatsoppers is a brand name for a curved shaped ramp that the tire sits in. It supports more weight evenly on the bottom of the tire. So they say. Any recommendation would be helpful other than taking off the tires and leaving it on blocks. Also, it's a real hassle getting the trailer in and out of our drive so hitching up and taking it out for a spin every few weeks isn't a viable option either. Any help would be appreciated.
  • 25% seems really high. That would put me at 125psi instead of the 100 that is recommended after a four corner weigh of the motorhome.

    Goodyear instructions say to weigh and then follow the charts for the heaviest side of that axle for both sides. Don't just use the max tire pressure on the side wall.

    Hope you get the best ride what ever you do.
  • I make it a point to hitch up at least once a month and take the trailer out for at least a 10 mile ride over the winter months for this very reason. It also keeps everything else "moving" that's suppose to move. I park in my drive way too.
  • Goodyear says: Inflate tires to recommended operating pressure plus 25%. Ensure that the rim manufacturer’s inflation capacity is not exceeded
  • Never gave it a thought, just keep them inflated and use aerospace 303 on the sidewalls. Replace at first sign of cracks...bulges...or 5 year mark.

    Daryll
  • Our trailer sits 6 mos a year and it's never bee a problem.
    Radials just don't have that much of a problem with flat spotting. The small amount that does occure is gone in a few miles.
  • “Worried because my other trailer did get flat spots after sitting about a year.”

    I disagree with Gordon and FJ. A year? Hook up and move it a foot. I do...every three months when not out and about.
  • Our "C" has only bias ply tires available for 16.5" wheels. They flatspot after a week or less. Four to five miles down the road they regain their shape and function without issue. But the first few are a teeth rattler.
  • Mine sits longer than that waiting for the thaw each winter.

    Inflated to sidewall and call it done.

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