Tires vs Concrete

[RogueIT]

We just moved our Scamp home after having a pad poured for it. I seem to remember that concrete isn't great for tires...what do you all use as a barrier between them, if anything.
thanks,
RogueIT

[Jon in AZ]

That’s mostly a myth. There is no chemical reaction between rubber and concrete.

If you’re storing it for a while, it doesn’t hurt to take some pressure off the tires and- especially- the axle by lifting the trailer a few inches into a pair of jack stands on the frame just behind the axle. I do that much. If you were going to store it for many months, there might be some small benefit to raising the tires off the ground and reducing the air pressure to 15psi. I’ve never taken it that far.

In any case, make sure the tires are protected from direct sunlight. And the best thing you can do for your tires is to run them often and be very vigilant about checking tire pressure.

[RogueIT]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

That’s mostly a myth.

Thanks for the reply Jon. We do actually throw it up on stands to keep some weight off the "shocks" when we're not going to be in it for a while.

We might actually look into tire covers...I don't think it should be an issue as the scamp faces west. So one tire won't get any sun and the other tire might get some in the middle of summer when the sun is at its highest but its against a fence. Still, good advice and thanks!

[jerrybob]

Our trailer is outside in the Pacific Northwest and has been for 10+ yrs. It is parked on asphalt. I have never covered the tires nor raised them off the ground. I replace our tires every 5 to 6 yrs simply due to age....they have never shown much wear. Depending on the year....our trailer travels anywhere from 4 to 8 thousand miles. Good luck....whatever you choose.

[Meadowlark]

RogueIT, I live in the same wet state as Jerrybob, but a few years ago I discovered that the spare tire on my Casita...one that had never touched the ground...had dryrotted, not the right term but I can't think of the term that describes UV destruction. It had been exposed to Sunlight for the few years we'd had it mounted on the back, and the treads had separated on the top side. So much so that you could see right through the treads to the 'fabric?" inside.

Our Casita is under a carport and is on gravel.

Even in the Carwash State of Washington, you can get UV damage to tires. After replacing all three, we now keep them covered with tire covers. Relatively cheap insurance.

So, YMMV.

To ditto Jerrybob, changing the tires out every few years is good advice. Trailer tires aren't built like automobile tires, and we put far fewer miles on them. YOu look at them and think, oh, heck, I can let them go another year, I've only put a few thousand miles on them.

But evil lurks in the hearts of unused tires. Yes, it's not cheap, changing out tires that look okay and have lots of tread left...but having a blowout at 55 MPH isn't cheap.

[jerrybob]

I can't tell you how many times I have asked trailer owners about their spare tire.....many never check them. I have even been told by a few.....it's too difficult to pull the cover off. Along those lines.....I am surprised at how many people don't carry a jack that will lift their trailer properly. Many think they can just use their car jack.....some can...but it can be a real pain. Be safe out there.

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by jerrybob

I can't tell you how many times I have asked trailer owners about their spare tire.....many never check them. I have even been told by a few.....it's too difficult to pull the cover off.

That's exactly why I ditched the spare tire cover. Not only did it never get checked because it was too much trouble, but it became a haven for various insects, some venomous. Keep your spare tire washed and clean, and it looks fine without a fading vinyl cover. Just be sure to protect it from UV in long-term storage. A loose cover or shady spot is enough.

We ended up doing the same with our CR-V, which also has a rear-mounted spare.

[Gerry]

Back on subject... I've always stored any vehicle I've owned with the tires on a board under the trires. A piece of decking, about 12 inches long works just fine for the Casita but on the Corvette I had I had to use 2 under each tire they were so wide.

[computerspook]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

That’s mostly a myth. There is no chemical reaction between rubber and concrete.

If you’re storing it for a while, it doesn’t hurt to take some pressure off the tires and- especially- the axle by lifting the trailer a few inches into a pair of jack stands on the frame just behind the axle. I do that much. If you were going to store it for many months, there might be some small benefit to raising the tires off the ground and reducing the air pressure to 15psi. I’ve never taken it that far.

In any case, make sure the tires are protected from direct sunlight. And the best thing you can do for your tires is to run them often and be very vigilant about checking tire pressure.

Well mostly correct and almost certainly in this case 100% correct. Most myths have some kind of a basis in fact. And the fact is that early biased tires made completely of old style rubber, sitting for long periods of time on old style concrete we're kind of a problem. If you were dealing with an antique car or maybe an antique trailer with period tires you might have something to worry about. Probably not with new concrete that they made better. But who knows I would certainly put a chunk of carpet or something under the tires if I parked it for a while and I would try to take some weight off of it like you recommended. But for today's tires and a modern concrete pad I can't imagine there's much of a problem

Yes sunlight on the tires are a much bigger problem. Put some kind of a covering over the tires

[barrry smithe]

Summer trailer sets on concrete pads from Lowe’s with tire covers. November thru April trailers is stored in barn, sitting on jack stands placed under axle close to springs. Never have had any issues jacking on axle either. 19’

[Monk]

Originally Posted by RogueIT

We just moved our Scamp home after having a pad poured for it. I seem to remember that concrete isn't great for tires...what do you all use as a barrier between them, if anything.
thanks,
RogueIT

Your memory is correct. Freshly poured concrete can damage tires. However this is only during the curing process. Once cured, it should no longer pose any problems. Typically cement concrete cures in about 28 days.

Concrete is generally safe to drive/park on after 7 days. If you want to park on it before the cure time, I would recommend using a thick plastic or wood blocks under the tires as a temporary measure. This will also help to avoid having the tires stain the concrete.

Even if the concrete pour was with a rapid set, I would recommend to be safe and use some type of water proof barrier for at least 28 days after the pour.

[Glen G]

Cheep plastic place mats under the tires works great .

[Jann Todd]

Originally Posted by RogueIT

We just moved our Scamp home after having a pad poured for it. I seem to remember that concrete isn't great for tires...what do you all use as a barrier between them, if anything.
thanks,
RogueIT

Our Casita sits inside a garage on fine gravel. We put a piece of plywood under it and the other 2 vehicles in the garage. I'd rather be safe than sorry. Plywood is cheap, tires aren't.

[doctoruv]

I have been in the UV business for almost 40 years. The UV from the sun will ruin everything over time except rocks! Cover everything from the sun if you want it to last!

doctoruv

[Jann Todd]

Originally Posted by RogueIT

We just moved our Scamp home after having a pad poured for it. I seem to remember that concrete isn't great for tires...what do you all use as a barrier between them, if anything.
thanks,
RogueIT

I Googled this situation. The consensus was yes keep something under the tires. Blacktop ruins tires due to the oils. Soil dries them out. So keep your tires on wood, plastic or carpet. We keep our daily drive vehicle on carpet in our garage. Our RV, trailer and another vehicle has wood under the tires in our detached garage that has a real fine gravel floor. We've never had rubber rot.

[computerspook]

Originally Posted by doctoruv

I have been in the UV business for almost 40 years. The UV from the sun will ruin everything over time except rocks! Cover everything from the sun if you want it to last!

doctoruv

Pretty sure it does bad things to many rocks too ;-)

[RogueIT]

Originally Posted by jerrybob

Our trailer is outside in the Pacific Northwest

Thanks! We're in KY...hot summers but the humidity is the worse

[RogueIT]

Originally Posted by Jann Todd

We keep our daily drive vehicle on carpet

Carpet's a good idea...thanks

[RogueIT]

Originally Posted by doctoruv

I have been in the UV business for almost

doctoruv

I appreciate it...gonna get some covers for sure