Covering RV Tires while parked?

[garbonz]

Originally Posted by Waiter21

I usually wear out a set of car tires every few years, way before UV does its dastardly deed.

On the other hand, my RV tires sit for the most part of the year with only 5 - 10 k miles a year travel. UV usually takes its toll over the years, and after 8 - 10 years of exposure, the tires sidewalls or showing signs of cracking and dryness, enev thou there are 10s of thousands of miles left on the tread.

Tire covers can reduce the UV exposure and extend the life of the tire a few years.

Mugs all recommend replace tires after 5 or so years. The rubber compound deteriorated and they delaminates. Problems with this and damaged RV's happen all the time.

I personally think the current tires are even worse than in the past so it is even more important nowadays.

[garbonz]

Mfg's not mugs

[TechWriter]

Originally Posted by garbonz

Mfgs all recommend replace tires after 5 or so years.

Source?

[TechWriter]

Originally Posted by Okplowboy

I've never seen anyone cover their car/truck tires while parked for several days/weeks/months.

I've never seen a plane crash.

Therefore, planes do not crash.

QED

[Tireman9]

If you wants facts and data from a tire engineer you might want to review THIS blog post on the subject.

I STRONGLY recommend white covers to decrease the heat damage to tires which can be worse of a problem than UV.
Black vinyl covers can even be worse than no cover as they will heat up from the Sun and act as a oven and bake the life out of a tire.

The exception are the black mesh screens I have evaluates as seen on some Class-A motorhomes.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by garbonz

Mfg's all recommend replace tires after 5 or so years. The rubber compound deteriorated and they delaminates.

It's not any any of the documentation I have.

Michelin Technical Bulletin

Service Life for RV/Motorhome Tires

The following recommendation applies to RV/Motorhome tires. Tires are composed of various types of material and rubber compounds, having performance properties essential to the proper functioning of the tire itself. These component properties evolve over time. For each tire, this evolution depends upon many factors such as weather, storage conditions, and conditions of use (load, speed, inflation pressure, maintenance, etc.) to which the tire is subjected throughout its life. This service-related evolution varies widely so that accurately predicting the serviceable life of any specific tire in advance is not possible.
That is why, in addition to regular inspections and inflation pressure maintenance by consumers, it is recommended to have RV/Motorhome tires, including spare tires, inspected regularly by a qualified tire specialist, such as a tire dealer, who will assess the tire’s suitability for continued service. Tires that have been in use for 5 years or more should continue to be inspected by a specialist at least annually.
Consumers are strongly encouraged to be aware not only of their tires’ visual condition and inflation pressure, but also of any change in dynamic performance such as increased air loss, noise or vibration, which could be an indication that the tires need to be removed from service to prevent tire failure.
It is impossible to predict when tires should be replaced based on their calendar age alone. However, the older a tire the greater the chance that it will need to be replaced due to the service-related evolution or other conditions found upon inspection or detected during use.
While most tires will need replacement before they achieve 10 years, it is recommended that any tires in service 10 years or more from the date of manufacture, including spare tires, be replaced with new tires as a simple precaution even if such tires appear serviceable and even if they have not reached the legal wear limit.
For tires that were on an original equipment vehicle (i.e., acquired by the consumer on a new vehicle), follow the vehicle manufacturer’s tire replacement recommendations, when specified (but not to exceed 10 years).

The date when a tire was manufactured is located on the sidewall of each tire. Consumers should locate the Department of Transportation or DOT code on the tire that begins with DOT and ends with the week and year of manufacture. For example, a DOT code ending with “0304” indicates a tire made in the 3rd week (Jan) of 2004.

Toyo RV Safety

Tire Damage and Aging (Non-Commercial Use)
Vehicle operating conditions and tire maintenance practices vary widely. Tires should be routinely checked for damage or signs of fatigue or aging. This should be done at scheduled vehicle maintenance intervals and preferably on a lift so that the tires can be thoroughly inspected by a tire professional.
Tire longevity is extremely dependent on factors such as air pressure maintenance. It is recommended that tires be thoroughly examined by a tire professional after reaching five years of service. Even tires with serviceable tread remaining may require replacement prior to wearing out. Tires which have reached a remaining tread depth of 4/32nd should be replaced.
The age of your tire can be determined by reading the sidewall. Every tire has a 10 or 11 digit DOT (Department of Transportation) identifying number on one sidewall.
The last 3 or 4 digits are the most important to you. Older tires have 3 digits, the first two identifying the week of manufacture and the third digit the year when the tire was made. Tires made between 1990 and 1999 may have a triangle alongside the numbers. As from January 2000 4 digits are used, the first two give the week of manufacture and the last two digits tell the year the tire was made.

[dennis45]

When I had the Sunscreens made up for the Windshield and front side windows, the installer suggested the black sunscreen snap on curtains for the wheel wells. Sounded like a good plan and was not a big expense at the time.
So if we're parked for more than a couple days, I install them since it only takes a minute. Besides they look cool.

I'm not crazy about the ones that slip on over the tires. If that were my only choice, I don't think I would bother.

[lrsses]

Tires on a passage jet go up to 200 landing that's unless they have to land on a short runway or have hot brakes because of an anti skid problem anyway that what a heavy Kc10 or a C17 would get just saying.

[TonyDi]

Replacing 22.5 G or H load tires at 5 years is just wasting money. Unless they are cracking badly.

I agree with MR_D

[Sky_Boss]

Originally Posted by Okplowboy

... Convince me I NEED to get on board with this.

You don't "NEED" them. It's really that simple.

Other's have provided reasons on why you may or may not "WANT" them. I use them because I feel the evidence is that UV rays will have a negative affect on them. Others don't believe it.

I wouldn't presume to tell you how to spend your money.

[Sky_Boss]

Originally Posted by Tireman9

If you wants facts and data from a tire engineer you might want to review THIS blog post on the subject.

I STRONGLY recommend white covers to decrease the heat damage to tires which can be worse of a problem than UV.
Black vinyl covers can even be worse than no cover as they will heat up from the Sun and act as a oven and bake the life out of a tire.

The exception are the black mesh screens I have evaluates as seen on some Class-A motorhomes.

I use the MagneShade tire covers with are like a flat donut. I'm assuming that design avoids the "oven" affect.

[ArmandV]

My RV faces west while parked. I have white covers on the driver's side tires. The passenger side is always shaded so I don't cover them.

[beamisl]

We use them on ours. They came with the coach. Would we have bought them if they hadn't? Yes! Why?

The UV damage scenario made sense to us. The tires on the coach were fine but this year they are reaching 7 yrs of age. We are going to replace them next month when we get the rig out of storage before taking any trips.

Watch a video on a MH tire blowout. There are lots of them on YouTube. If putting covers on the tires can prevent this from happening, then I will take the time.

Like others, when traveling to a park, I don't use them if stopped for a day or two. Winter of 2018 when I am retired and we are parked for 3 months in Florida. We will use them.

You have to figure it out for yourself. Just keep in mind what the loss of someone in that coach with you is worth. LB

[RolandRock]

In any location that has a lot of sun exposure UV rays will destroy plastic and rubber materials FOR SURE. I live in Florida and I see blistered paint, cracked plastic, and cracked rubber on tires all the time. It only takes a few months of constant UV exposure to dry out rubber and plastic parts that are not protected. Simply spraying a uv protectant on AC covers and tires will extend the life of the product tremendously.