Do you cover your tires?

scotts_rv · 10-17-2011, 10:05 PM

I was winterizing my RV at the storage facility over the weekend and noticed that only two of us have covers on their tires. Myself and someone with a trailer. This is out of a mixture of about 60 Motorhomes, boats and trailers. Why don't more people use covers to extend the useful life of their tires? It seems that tires are the second most expensive reoccuring expense of an RV behind fuel and I am baffled why others don't take the time to cover them up.

I live in western Washington and the climate is mild so maybe many don't think the suns UV rays are doing any damage to their tires. My tires are going on 8 years by the DOT date code and they have zero cracks...I spent some quality time under the RV inspecting them. They are Michelin XRVs.

I just made a 1800 mile round trip this summer to Yellowstone and didn't have any problems. My friend who made the same trip with us has a trailer with 4 year old tires had a blow out on the return trip. He doesn't put any covers on...maybe just bad luck...maybe not.

powerboatr · 10-17-2011, 10:15 PM

after i wash them and polish the rims...they get covered so as not to get dusty between trips

njs42 · 10-17-2011, 11:34 PM

My XRV's are ten years old and I am replacing them this year I cover them consistently and they look just fine ---no cracks. I also believe the weather here in the Northwest is not as telling on tires as other places but the uncovered tires in the storage area do not look as good as mine.

Grandpadave · 10-18-2011, 04:01 AM

I just replaced all 6 tires on my class A they were original 2004, the previous owner kept them covered, and when I bought the rig it only had 16,000 miles on it, and the tires had no cracks in the sidewalks at all after having 2 rear inside blowouts within 10 minutes of each other on 95 going to GA, I researched Rv tires extensively on Internet, talking to
veteran RV'ers, etc. And can tell you that you shouldn't expect to get more than 6 or 7 years out of RV tires, no matter if you cover them, or don't put a lot of miles on them. Actually the more there used, the longer they will last. RV's that sit for long periods of time unused, are the biggest life killer in tires.

GaryKD · 10-18-2011, 04:58 AM

Hi scotts_rv,
My tires are covered when not in use. The coach is based in South Florida and for 6 months of the year could be anywhere in the USA. After 6 years the tires are in excellent shape.

Bob and Inga · 10-18-2011, 06:05 AM

No, but we do keep them protected with regular use of 303 and driving the Bounder often.

Bob

az bound · 10-18-2011, 06:11 AM

x2 for using 303 good stuff.

Grandpadave · 10-18-2011, 06:11 AM

Everyone says and thinks their tires are in excellent shape, till they fail!

**RJay** · 10-18-2011, 06:28 AM

As a full-timer, I'm usually at one location for a month or more. Before I leave for the next destination the tires get an application of 303. They don't get covered while in transit (5-10 days), if stationary for a week or more they get covered. When I reach the new location they get cleaned and another application of 303 and then covered for the duration of the stay.

Just an observation about covers. I use the standard white wheel covers that slip over the tire secured at the bottom with the bungee cord. As you know, these are somewhat of a pain to secure and I was looking to change to the type that just attach to the coach and cover the wheel well. On one of my strolls thru the park I noticed a coach with tandems that had these covers. Because of the length of the coach and the slope of the site the rear of the coach was jacked 6 – 7 inches higher off the ground than the front causing the wheel cover in the rear to rise as well exposing the tire to the sun from the rim down. I think for now I'm going to stay with the covers that slip over the tire.

Pogo · 10-18-2011, 06:42 AM

Yes, I cover them after spraying a rubber treatment on the outsides, (unless we are stopping for just a day or 2).

paz · 10-18-2011, 06:47 AM

If we stored our motorhome for the winter, I would probably cover the tires. But since we're full-timers and in the rig all the time, I want to enjoy being able to see the aluminum wheels I paid $1800 for, so I don't cover the tires. I use 303 at least once a month.