What is the better surface for storing a fiberglass RV outside?

[Glenn Baglo]

Wood contains water. Concrete contains water. When you tow the trailer, you drive on wet asphalt. Relax. Fergetaboutit.
After almost eight years, I finally replaced my Marathons that came with the trailer. Tread was in great condition. No rot.
I replaced them because the interweb says I should, and I don't want a flat. Had no issues at all.

[Jann Todd]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

Wood contains water. Concrete contains water. When you tow the trailer, you drive on wet asphalt. Relax. Fergetaboutit.
After almost eight years, I finally replaced my Marathons that came with the trailer. Tread was in great condition. No rot.
I replaced them because the interweb says I should, and I don't want a flat. Had no issues at all.

The reason for putting wood or rubber mat under the tires is so the dirt or concrete doesn't suck the moisture out of the tires. The wet is fine.

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by Jann Todd

The reason for putting wood or rubber mat under the tires is so the dirt or concrete doesn't suck the moisture out of the tires. The wet is fine.

Sorry. I don't buy that either.
What are you going to do about humidity in the air, or lack thereof?

[WizWid]

Originally Posted by Jann Todd

The reason for putting wood or rubber mat under the tires is so the dirt or concrete doesn't suck the moisture out of the tires. The wet is fine.

Don't tell the folks that live in Phoenix......


And how does a rubber mat make any difference to a rubber tire?

[Jon in AZ]

Here's what tire manufacturers say:

http://www.goodyearrvtires.com/tire-storage.aspx

http://us.coopertire.com/Tire-Safety...ing-Tires.aspx

[Jann Todd]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

Sorry. I don't buy that either.
What are you going to do about humidity in the air, or lack thereof?

I didn't make this up. I have read and heard about it from tire manufacturers and RV people for years. Dry dirt and unsealed concrete pulls moisture out of tires where they make contact with the ground and continues to dry out rubber. The humidity really has nothing to do with it. It's the chemicals so to speak in the dirt and concrete.

[Glenn Baglo]

Drive through a mall and count how many vehicles are parked with their tires on wood planks.
After more than seven years parked in my driveway on asphalt, my tires still looked new. If they do dry out, it must take decades.

[Jon in AZ]

According to the links I posted, raising the tires off the ground is the ticket.

I found the pressure recommendations interesting. If you store off the ground, you should reduce the pressure to 10psi, but if they stay on the ground with weight on them, you should increase the pressure by 10 psi (subject to the limits of tire and rim, of course).

There is, of course, the obvious: protection from sunlight and high temperatures (as might occur on black asphalt). Oxygen, apparently, is bad, too, but not much you can do about that unless you remove the wheels and store in a garage or shed. Didn't know there was such a thing as a tire storage bag…

Seems to me how far you go with this depends on how long the trailer will sit. Some people (like me) use the trailer off and on all year long. I really don't want too much of a rigamarole to bug out, and if tire life is reduced somewhat, I accept that. On the other hand, if it was going to sit in storage for 6 months, I might remove the wheels, reduce the pressure, and store them indoors in bags.