Short Term or Long Term: Save Your RV Tires in Storage
Spring is in the air, and it is time to hit the open road with your RV! In between your travels, your RV awaits its next adventure, even as it sits in storage, often on hard, flat surfaces, such as concrete. This can result in flat spots for your tires, which can lead to potentially disastrous and dangerous blowouts. That is one way to really ruin a fun family outing in your beloved RV!
Flat-spotting occurs when tires rest on flat surfaces where the rubber meets the ground for a period of time without moving. The weight of the vehicle bears down on the tires, and can compromise the integrity of the tire. You can tell flat-spotting has occurred when the ride is more jittery than normal, caused by vibrations from the flat spot on one section of the tire. Sometimes, you can see the flat spot, but it may not be readily apparent. You may also hear a thumping noise as you travel.
How Long Does it Take for Flat Spots to Happen?
According to Edmunds, "...if conditions are right, a month of being stationary might be enough to cause problems."
What Preventative Measures Can I Take to Prevent Flat Spots
There are several preventative measures in preparing your tires for storage. Some recommend moving the vehicle anywhere from every couple of weeks to a minimum of every three months. Some suggest putting your vehicle up on blocks or jacks to take the weight off the tire. Other recommendations include:
- Inflate your tires to manufacturer-recommended levels and checking the tire pressure often
- Wash your tires to remove harmful elements
- Cover your tires with UV-protectant covers
- Keep the vehicle out of sunny areas in a covered parking area
RV Storage Options
If you don't have space to store your RV at home, in your garage, driveway or backyard, you may need to rent an offsite storage location, some of which provide more shelter from the elements than others. According to Storage.com, RV storage options include outdoor or indoor, and may include covered parking for your RV; some even have indoor climate-controlled options. These options can be quite pricey, depend on the size of your RV, location, or amenities, and range from:
- $30-100/month for unheated outdoor storage
- $50-125/month for unheated indoor storage
- $100-450/month for heated indoor storage
Tires are Expensive. Protect Your Investment – Save Your Tires!
Park Smart® Tire Saver™ for Storage
Regardless of where you store your RV, you can help prevent flat spots by cradling your tires in their natural shape rather than leaving them flat on concrete. GaragePro's high-quality Tire Savers cradle your tires to prevent flat spots from forming during long-term storage. The unique ribbed design on both the top and the bottom prevent the tire ramps from sliding on the floor and provides traction for the tire.
- Prevent flat spots during long-term storage
- Use for cars, trucks, SUVs, RVs, trailers, campers and motor homes
- Available in various widths to accommodate a variety of vehicles
- Extra wide set accommodates dually tires (tow vehicles need love too!)
- No weight limit - made of solid PVC
- Unlike rubber or cheap plastic, won't crush or crack
- Ramps on both sides make it easy to use - just position on floor and drive on and off
- Come in a variety of sizes, and can accommodate dual tires up to a total of 30 inches wide
- Lifetime warranty
Enjoy the Ride!
The single, most important tip for any RVer... Enjoy the ride and stay safe.