Community Forums

Loren Rice · 03-11-2014, 10:52 AM

I read that tires that sit are benefited by covering if they get a lot of direct light. Tires that are being used in direct light (they all are) benefit from use, as the various components that make up the rubber some how are mixed and somehow keep a tire fresher than one that just sits, especially in direct sun. So there are all kinds of variables direct sun, partial sun, bad surface the tire is on, whether used often or not can all have an impact on tire life. It's generally accepted that tires on mh's don't get worn out they tend to age out and basically are rotten, making a tire that looks perfect--- unfit for use on a heavy vehicle, and fail. Car tires on the other hand don't carry the weight a mh tire does so usually a car with an older tire on won't just blow out the way a truck tire will on a loaded vehicle. He's something I read I think on the michlen site, at truck tire that is sup-post to have 110 psi is flat when it's pressure is down to 80%! That means a tire could be standing up and looking ok but is low enough that ran very far this way will fail!
Loren

Cat320 · 03-11-2014, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed-Sommers

My thoughts are that ANYTHING left in the sun long term will degrade.

Ed

Agree. Plus, RV tires will die of old age before we run the tread off them, so I figure the covers might help them live a bit longer...sure can't hurt.

Libero · 03-11-2014, 12:35 PM

Just look at the inside of the tires vs the outside of those that have been exposed to a lot of direct sunlight for a few of years. This speaks for itself. My RV is stored inside when we are not travelling and I do not use tire covers however direct sunlight does degrade a lot of materials, this is not just conjecture. How much degredation is of course subject to the material composition and exposure levels. Tires are no exception to this fact. But different tires would likely degrade at different degrees, nonetheless tires will degrade more if exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period vs those not exposed to direct sunlight.

al2ride · 03-11-2014, 12:56 PM

Tire covers it is.

JFXG · 03-12-2014, 12:29 AM

Roger Marble is a retired tire engineer with a 40-year career behind him. He frequents several online fora as "Tireman9". He writes a blog at www.rvtiresafety.com . Here's his write-up on tire covers.

RV Tire Safety: Tire Covers - Do they do any good?

stink · 03-12-2014, 02:05 AM

I cover mine always when parked to mainly protect the wheels. Lots of work to keep shiny and the cats like to "mark" the tires1

Pa Uon · 03-12-2014, 07:31 AM

While living in Las Vegas our RV tires were covered all the time. Friends who didn't had visible dry rot by the second year. Now that I am retired and a full-timer, I only cover mine if I will be in the same place for a couple weeks and only on tires that are in direct sun. I always have them with me. but only use them occasionally. Very dry climate and direct sun accelerate the rotting process.

IdahoSRT10 · 03-12-2014, 07:55 AM

The covers do help if your RV is exposed to the sun. Just as important as the cover-up is applying a UV protectant. "Aerospace 303 protectant" keeps rubber, vinyl, plastic trim looking new.

Sky_Boss · 03-12-2014, 08:29 AM

I opted for wheel well covers instead of wheel covers. They are easy to put on and provide air flow around the tires. I have them cut about 1-2" above the ground with the MH on it's jacks. That is low enough to shade the entire tire but keep them off the ground. Since I had these made by the same place that made my window covers I think they added about $200 to the price tag. I had wheel covers on my previous MH and such a PIA to use so even if the $200 is more expensive...it is worth it to ME.

Personally, I don't think the tire companies have a dog in the debate of cover or not cover. WAIT, I take that back. If they even suggest to protect them I would take them to heart because the only down side of ignoring them is that you might buy more tires and make them even more money.

BTW...the observation about a spare tire disintegrating under the coach without being used is a bit of a red herring. One reason is that we don't know if it was exposed to road salts and other corrosive events and never getting a chance to get cleaned on occasion. The second reason is that tires actually benefit from being driven on. The act of driving them causes emollients to be released to the surface to help protect and condition the tires.

Ray,IN · 03-12-2014, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed-Sommers

My thoughts are that ANYTHING left in the sun long term will degrade.

Ed

I bought new ST tires for my cargo trailer a few years ago. I keep it parked in my driveway, E to W. The tires facing South now have tiny cracks running longitudinally around the tires. The North facing tires have no cracks whatsoever. Obviously I should have covered them from the sun. Those tires only have about 1,000 miles on them.
IMO, that pretty-well speaks to the ozone vs sun theory.

WheelingIt · 03-12-2014, 11:08 AM

We use them anywhere we're parked for more then a few days. Cheap insurance for expensive tires, in my mind. We also regularly apply Aerospace 303.

dennis45 · 03-12-2014, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky_Boss

I opted for wheel well covers instead of wheel covers. They are easy to put on and provide air flow around the tires. I have them cut about 1-2" above the ground with the MH on it's jacks. That is low enough to shade the entire tire but keep them off the ground. Since I had these made by the same place that made my window covers I think they added about $200 to the price tag. I had wheel covers on my previous MH and such a PIA to use so even if the $200 is more expensive...it is worth it to ME.

Personally, I don't think the tire companies have a dog in the debate of cover or not cover. WAIT, I take that back. If they even suggest to protect them I would take them to heart because the only down side of ignoring them is that you might buy more tires and make them even more money.

BTW...the observation about a spare tire disintegrating under the coach without being used is a bit of a red herring. One reason is that we don't know if it was exposed to road salts and other corrosive events and never getting a chance to get cleaned on occasion. The second reason is that tires actually benefit from being driven on. The act of driving them causes emollients to be released to the surface to help protect and condition the tires.

Well said.
I had the Sunscreen Curtains made for the windshield and while they were at it, I had them make a set of snap on covers for each wheel well.
I have not checked the surface temp of the tires in the sun when the covers are installed but if they are as effective as the one for the windshield, there will be at least a 15 deg. reduction in temperature. Plus they look Cool.

IdahoSRT10 · 03-12-2014, 11:44 AM

Off topic a tad but.......where did you guys get your Wheel Well Covers?

thanks

CampDaven · 03-12-2014, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IdahoSRT10

Off topic a tad but.......where did you guys get your Wheel Well Covers? thanks

Google "RV tire shades" and you will see a lot.

Mine came with the rig. They have a rope edging that feeds thru a channel on the edge if the wheel well. They totally shade, do not trap moisture, and allow full air movement.