Just curious what people think about tire covers while in storage outside or while camping? Sounds like they will help prevent the sun from damaging the rubber. Next, do people recommend single covers for each of my four wheels or 1 dual cover for both on each side? Thank you!
in 43 years of RV'ing I have never owned them or needed them. having said that, I did't live in arazona for any of thoes years. but for the last 17 years I have lived in a climat like that, in the summer anyways. still haven't noticed any premature aging and I only use the 5th wheel once or twice a year so it is like a park model now haha. if you do have them, like what was already said, go ahead and use them if you like.
Tires have oils in them that when driven on release those oils and help lengthen the lifespan. In storage for long periods you might see a marginal benefit with covers if they are in direct sunlight. You won't have any benefits using them on a camping trip aside from the exercise you'll get putting them on and taking them off. Even in storage any benefits would be hardly measurable. RV tires age out long before they wear out, covers or not. Usually about 7-8 years. When I first started RV ing 20 years ago, I bought a set. used them about 3 x. Never used them since and haven't seen any difference. Covers can also trap moisture in your wheels and tires which isn't good for them either.
I’ve got two complete sets of 4 tire covers. I’ve never used any of them. I got 10 years out of my last set of tires at which point I changed them; not because there was any signs of any need for new ones, but because I was going on an especially long road trip and I felt i shouldn’t tempt my luck.
That being said, if you have tire covers and want to put them on - do so; there is nothing wrong with that option. In my particular case, I have them and don’t bother using them - nothing has seemingly been wrong with that option either. I would guess that it all would depend on your particular circumstances. Some may need them and some may not. I may live in a place where the sun is far less of a damaging factor than where you live.
