Winter storage - put something under tires?

[sqzdog]

This will be my first winter with my RV. I am parking it on a hard base gravel lot. Should I place something under the tires for the winter or is it fine parked directly on the gravel surface?

[Cat320]

I always run my tires up on wood...plus put the jacks down.

[HeapBigEngin]

Many, many opinions on this. Suggest you check your tire manufacturer's website for their thoughts. On balance, it seems that the primary concern (other than sun exposure) is the tires losing oil and other compounds to the surface on which they sit for an extended length of time. Most storage lots I have seen/used are covered in asphalt. In Spring, when RV's usually start to move, these places are littered with numerous black (sometimes thick) patches of "stuff" from the tires of RV's that had been sitting there for several months. Maybe some of that stuff is oil coming up from the asphalt....who knows? Either just can't be good for the tires.

IMO, it is best to use a non-absorbent material under the tires during long storage. I put our coach up on the heavy polycarbonate jack pads sold by Campers World. They get the tires up off of the asphalt and also away from the ice and snow melt that we get in this part of the country. And of course they don't absorb anything. I also use good quality tire covers. The overhead storage lot roof keeps 80% of the elements off of the coach as well.

If you use blocks or pads under your tires, be sure that the tires are properly placed and balanced on the blocks/pads to prevent tire damage. Michelin has some excellent info on this on their website.

Hopefully others will chime in with their thoughts.

[GaryKD]

Hi sqzdog,
Put the tires on an inert substance. I use thin plastic cutting boards. Putting the jacks down or leaving them up, it is your choice. Both ways work just fine. If you put the jacks down, place plastic under each jack pad. One should separate the jack pads from the ground. The reason is lightening. Lightening strikes can come into the coach from the ground and up through the jacks and into the coach.

[RJay]

Gravel is fine as long as its high and dry.

[Mr_D]

Store ours directly on gravel. Have done that since new and replaced the tires after 8½ years. Also leave it on the HWH jacks for six months at a time with no problems.

[mikron]

We store on sandy grass soil so put leving blocks under all tires and jacks down. Found in doing this when we move the coach every month or so the coach rides better from the start then when we didn't do this. We have 16" sq by 1" thick jack pads and we do this to save the jack pads.

[Sequim Guy]

Does leaving the jacks down for a long time leave the shafts exposed to surface rust?

[mikron]

Originally Posted by Sequim Guy

Does leaving the jacks down for a long time leave the shafts exposed to surface rust?

We spray with WD40, have been told by many people who know lubes WD40 best to use. Not a grease base and won't attract dirt as much as grease. We wipe before retracting the jacks if down for more then a week. We store with jacks down and have had on appreciable dirt when wiped down. Locksmith said WD40 best for locks also.

[Sequim Guy]

Thanks, that's good to know.

[CharlieTwo]

Sequim Guy....... welcome home.