Tire Covers

[Canuck53]

Have not seen this topic discussed for some time.

I’m in the hunt for tire covers for a 2019 Dutchstar.

Any recommendations and which popular ones to avoid.

Do you put them on only during long stays?

[fhmac]

Perhaps Snap Ring tire savers would serve you well? Check out this video
about these easy on/off tire savers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3QgN83XjSM

[redbaron73]

Maga shades makes tire covers.

I don't use them personally, but I do use their window covers and those work well.

[Mighty_J]

I’ve got the magneshade tire covers redbaron73 mentions above. Much easier to put on than the more common white covers and simple to store. I use a set of the white pull over ones for winter storage as the Magneshade ones have a metal ring in them that could rust with prolonged exposure to moisture like in wet north eastern winters.

[NCC-1701A]

While I can't recommend a specific brand, I would recommend the color be white or a light color. While blocking UV is one purpose, keeping heat down is another. I did some heat gun tests on colors a couple of years ago and in direct July sunlight dark to black colors were 50 to 60 degrees higher than light colors and were reaching over 180 degrees F on the surface. Most of that heat transfers through.

[Dutch Star Don]

I use the white Camco tire covers. Just make sure you buy the correct size. The Magna Shade covers look nice but are open in the center.

I only want covers on while in storage and I want them to cover the tires and keep the rims clean and out of the weather.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/16375086190...2ea947ba5c90b2

[Kid Gloves]

I have the MagneShade tire covers. They’re black, easy to install and remove. I like the fact that the center is open and the wheel remains visible. It doesn’t look like there is a cover on the tire.

[richpatty]

Originally Posted by fhmac

Perhaps Snap Ring tire savers would serve you well? Check out this video
about these easy on/off tire savers.

I have had these for 5 years and they work great. Easy to put on and they do not blow off in the wind. Best ones I have owned in my 15+ years of RVing.

[dizcom]

I bought some cheapies off Amazon and they work exactly like the snap ring covers. They're stretchy on top and loose on the bottom. They came with strings to tie the bottom together, but I've never used them. I just sort of tuck the bottom around the sides and that's where they are when I go to take them off again. I was skeptical that they would blow off in the wind, but never have had a problem with them. We cover the tires any time our rig is going to sit for awhile. We don't use them while camping.

[dizcom]

Originally Posted by NCC-1701A

While I can't recommend a specific brand, I would recommend the color be white or a light color. While blocking UV is one purpose, keeping heat down is another. I did some heat gun tests on colors a couple of years ago and in direct July sunlight dark to black colors were 50 to 60 degrees higher than light colors and were reaching over 180 degrees F on the surface. Most of that heat transfers through.

I've never heard that heat from sunlight breaks down tires? Direct sunlight, for sure, but just being warm? Seems like the manufacturers would make them a different color if that were the case. I've heard of heat from the road breaking down tires, but I don't think the covers could convey that much heat, even if they were black. Vinyl (if your covers are made from vinyl) is a terrible heat conductor. Don't they make insulation out of vinyl?

[Dutch Star Don]

Originally Posted by Kid Gloves

I have the MagneShade tire covers. They’re black, easy to install and remove. I like the fact that the center is open and the wheel remains visible. It doesn’t look like there is a cover on the tire.

So, when in storage you keep the open center covers on so animals can nest and the dirt and debris gets on the rims?? Makes absolutely no sense! I wouldn't want expensive covers on mine when it's sitting parked and unused in storage.

[redbaron73]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

So, when in storage you keep the open center covers on so animals can nest and the dirt and debris gets on the rims?? Makes absolutely no sense! I wouldn't want expensive covers on mine when it's sitting parked and unused in storage.

I don't use tire covers, but your comment about animals making nests reminds me of a problem that I have observed.

I spend 2-3 months parked in the same spot in Montana. We have ground squirrels, that are a nuisance. No matter what methods are used, these pests remain abundant and invasive.

I have observed these guys crawl up into the engine bay from under the coach.

I would like to come up with a diaper of some kind to prevent these animals. Some of the ideas for cheap tire covers may work well for this.

The 2 areas of the coach exposed underneath are the engine bay, and the generator bay.

[Kid Gloves]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

So, when in storage you keep the open center covers on so animals can nest and the dirt and debris gets on the rims?? Makes absolutely no sense! I wouldn't want expensive covers on mine when it's sitting parked and unused in storage.

I store it inside a building on my property without tire covers. It’s pretty clean in there and not exposed to the elements. I’d imagine that the covers would remain unharmed if I took a few minutes to put them on, inside the building, but that makes no sense at all to me.

I can also imagine a mouse, or some other determined critter, fighting its way into the cozy confines of any tire cover, or perhaps just chewing its way in. You may never know it’s in there until you remove the cover. Where as I would see the critter as soon as it took out a building permit. Or it may decide not to build there at all since there is no privacy.

Either way, it’s my choice.

[DandyDon]

Those poor little critters need a nice place to nest!!