Trailer Off Tires for Winter Storage???

Campfire Time wrote:
Most don't. I don't. And you have to be careful. If you have Dexter torsion axles you can't jack them up or put blocks under the axle itself otherwise you'll damage it.

I park on a gravel pad and have 2 in boards under the tires so it doesn't sink in the spring when the ground is wet.

I understand about not jacking up under the axle tubes, but putting blocks under the frame must be o.k.. Or is their something I'm not getting about this?

I just take mine to AZ for the winter.

I raise mine up a little with a jack on the frame and put blocks under the spring clamps (to keep from bending the axle). It takes most of the load off of the tires. I suspect that would only matter if one of them happened to lose enough air to go flat, but I do it anyway. :)

I live in the great frozen north lol-----( not this year it's not so cold anyways).
We get a lot of snow up here--- I dropped the nose of my fifth wheel put three sets of concrete blocks onthe back of the frame.....Then.. raise the front end---- to lift the tires off the ground a little bit ---which takes a load off the suspension and off of the tires.

I lift it so it angles to the back a little bit --so snow melt runs off...and putting stacks of concrete blocks at the front ---that way it's sitting firmly on concrete blocks ----and the suspension is not loaded.

so when we get lots of snow its( the weight ) is just transferred down to the ground through the frame..


Then in the spring......its easy to service the bearings, check brakes...etc.....:W

...and why is this necessary?
I'm open minded and just trying to learn...

Per Carlisle;

– Keep trailer tires in a cool dry place and out of direct sunlight
during storage.
– Use tire covers to protect tires from the harsh effects of direct
sunlight, moisture and temperature extremes.
– During extended storage, use a thin piece of wood or other surface
barrier under tires to extend tire life. For seasonal or extreme long
term storage, elevate the trailer on blocks to take the weight off the
tires. Reduce the air pressure and cover the tires to protect them
from direct sunlight.

Per Maxxis;

Tire Storage

Maxxis recommends storing tires indoors in a clean, cool and dry area away from UV rays or ozone gases (eg. generators). Tires should be stacked flat and reduced to 15 psi if mounted on wheels during storage.

If tires must be stored outdoors, Maxxis recommends raising tires off the storage surface to avoid excessive contact with the elements. If possible, wrap the tires in an opaque polyethylene cover to minimize the effects of ozone and oxygen.

If a trailer is being stored without removing the tires, place blocks under the trailer to remove all weight from the tires. Avoid moving the trailer during extreme cold weather.

Always adjust inflation pressure before putting tires back into service

Per Goodyear;

Storing your vehicle properly helps protect your tires.
• Keep your vehicle in a cool, dry storage area out of direct sunlight and UV rays.
• Unload your vehicle so that minimum weight is on the tires.
• Inflate your tires to recommended operation pressure plus 25%, but don’t exceed the rim
manufacturer’s inflation capacity.
• Thoroughly clean your tires with soap and water before storing them to remove any oils that may have
accumulated from the road.
• Move your vehicle at least every three months to help prevent cracking and flat-spotting,
but avoid moving it during extremely cold weather.
• Place your vehicle on blocks to remove the weight from the tires. If the vehicle can’t be put on blocks,
make sure the storage surface is firm, clean, well-drained and reasonably level.

Now if anyone need to know why the tire makers recommend all this ...give them a 1-800.

My RV sits on 2" x 8" x 48" long on limestone crusher run in a trailer shed out of the sun. I keep LT tires on my trailers at max pressures 24/7. I change them out at 7-8 years and 50k-55k miles as their getting close to the wear bars.

IMO the best idea is keep them dry and out of the sun when sitting for several months.

3oaks wrote:

downtheroad wrote:
I need help with this...why are you jacking, raising and blocking your trailer?

Because some owners prefer to take the static load off the suspension and tires while their trailers are in storage for several months.

...and why is this necessary?
I'm open minded and just trying to learn...

downtheroad wrote:
I need help with this...why are you jacking, raising and blocking your trailer?

Because some owners prefer to take the static load off the suspension and tires while their trailers are in storage for several months.

I need help with this...why are you jacking, raising and blocking your trailer?

I usually pump up the tires 5-8 lbs over normal to reduce flat spots. Do not know if it has made any difference but I still do it.

When I had a smaller trailer and no indoor storage, I did take some weight off the tires. I lowered the front a few inches and then built up blocks to the frame just behind the wheels. Then I raised the tongue to level. Now I could deploy the stabilizer jacks without worry of a tire going down and over loading the frame at one corner. It is all pretty simple and benefits the tires. With eleven points of ground contact, the trailer is more stable if it is exposed to high winds. It is worth doing and it only takes a few minutes once you have the blocking.