I treat my tires with the Wash N Wax all rubber cleaner and protectant. I was just curious if using a cover over the tire really makes a difference. My question is do you use tire covers and if so all the time or just under certain conditions. Thanks, David
First, be very careful what tire treatment/protectant you use. Any petroleum-based products look good, but shorten tire life.
To my knowledge, 303 Aerospace is the only protectant that can be used.
Now, to answer your question: UV light and heat are two of the prime degraders of tires. Covering them with a WHITE tire cover when stored outdoors WILL extend tire life by cutting out UV and reducing tire temperature.
I use tire covers anytime we will be parked more than a day or two.
And, a retired tire engineer on my FMCA Technical Advisory Committee strongly recommends light-colored tire covers as well.
Some genius should make "roll-up shades" that attach to the coach's wheelwells and can be just pulled down for use.
I had custom made snap on covers that matched the awnings on my old MCI. They just covered the entire wheel well on the outside. Easy to make & use. I would post a pic but I don't think I have one.
TOM
Pull down wheel covers..great idea Brad...you should do this. Think of all the money you'd make.
Jm
MCD had a version (in their black solar fabric, though) which slid into a track just inside the wheel well. I don't see it on their website anymore.
Magnashade makes a wheel cover that goes on real fast and and only covers the tire side wall.....no I don't have any just throwing this out there. You can check them out at Magnashade.com.
Roland
I use Amazon.com: 128oz. Forever Black Tire Gel Dye: Automotive (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TJBDIE/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) It's is a dye not a shine. It does a great job of putting the black back on the tire. It's supposed to help with UV protection too. I've heard good things about Wash N Wax all rubber cleaner and use several other of their products.
That said I do use tire covers. Mainly because Camping World had them on sale. Two for $35 and a one day special buy one get one free. Sounded too good to be true and it was they charged me $70 for them. I sent an email to service and they said sorry our mistake and refunded me the $35. :)
The less exposure to ultra-violet the better for tires.
see ya
ken
I use the them when we are parked for more than a couple of days figure it can't hurt, and if gets you a another year on the tires it's a deal. Mine are Camco white fit nicely, I don't use the strap on them as they fit snug.
Curious, Brett, about the color of the tire covers and tire heat. I understand that dark colors can increase the heat around the tire but I always was taught that the heat buildup within the tire as it is rolling down the highway is the culprit in shortening tire life. It's how it acts on the tire cords and their relationship to the rubber compound they're covered with that helps cause failure. While I'm sure heat with the tire just sitting can make a difference, I believe it's the heat caused by rolling resistance, ie, inflation, where the trouble is. ^.^d
OK so if I'm shopping today on Amazon, they have a set of 2 (with hundreds of 5 star reviews) what size would I order? Their choices are a bit overwhelming, from 24"-26" to 40"-42". Can't beleive they are such a good price but seem to have a lot of rave reviews. I think they're Camco.
Tire covers are sized by outside diameter of the tire, not wheel size. I've had two different Michelin engineers tell me cover color makes no difference in the life of tires-just cover them if they're stationary for more than a month.
We got ours at Camping World, and the box is long gone. As I recall, they had different sizes. From Camping World's website, "To determine correct size, measure tire diameter from tread edge to tread edge, across center of wheel cover." I'm thinking that the 36-39" size is what we got. They have an Internet sale going on now, $33 for a pair. You will need two pair to cover all four wheel positions, so $66 plus tax and shipping should do it.
I've always bought the 40-42" inch size from Camping World for my coach. I have an RV garage but use them when I'm parked at an RV park (or boondocking) for more than a couple days.
Tire covers made of sun screen material that blocks UV? I suppose they would work well....any opinions on that type? Does anyone know of an alternative to attaching the sun screen type other than snaps installed on the coach? Has anyone had problems with the snap installation...on wheel covers or bra?
I have researched this only a little and came away with:
The ones I really like are the MCD tire covers but they are no longer making them.
I am afraid of snaps coming loose and/or damaging the fiberglass.
The ones at Camping world for a buss size tire come in sets of 4 so would have to buy spares (have tag) which increases cost (~$180 to $200 +) and limited choice.
So all I have at this time are questions. When I spoke to Michelin regarding inflation tables, the woman I was speaking with said they recommended covering the tires.
I would appreciate hearing others experience with different types.
We did eliminate the hassle of connecting the bottom bungees on our tire covers, by making a long bungee that quickly and easily fits over the tire at midpoint.
We presented our 'idea' to ADCO years ago, who thanked us with a full set of new covers, but we see they never adapted the longer bungee, not even as an option.
I just went out and measured a tire. It has a diameter of 39" which explains why the 36-39" covers I have are just a bit tight.
Yes, heat, whether while driving or while parked does contribute to tire degradation. While temperature while driving can be higher, it is for a VERY short time in terms of tire life. Live in the Pacific NW, sun/sun covers are not nearly as important as if you live in Phoenix.
Measure the distance across the tire at the center, or said another way how tall they are. I think you will find the 40-42 is what you will need.
One idea, if you really don't know what size to get, is to go to a Camping World or similar store and look at the boxes. Ours had a chart on them that helped pick the right one.
Another idea is just to order what you think is the right size and when it comes look at the box. If you guessed wrong you can send them back and get the right size.
Thanks to all for the valuable feedback...am still pondering, the 40-42" or even the largest ones (42-45") as I think it might be easier for me (a not-so-strong chick) to get them on. Really don't want to deal with returning items.
Keep them cards & letters comin' in! ;D
I use my awning rod, put it thru the loop on the end of the bungee cord, push the rod around behind the tire (or between the duals) grab the rod, pull it until I can unhook the bungee loop, thread the bungee loop thru the eye on the tire cover, rethread the bungee loop onto the rod, push the rod back around behind the tire, unhook the rod, then place the loop over the ball end of the bungee cord. DONE
Here is the ADCO chart:
Tyre Gards are available in the following tire diameters:
Size 1: 33"-35"
Size 2: 30"-32"
Size 3: 27"-29"
Size 4: 24"-26"
Size 5: 18"-22"
Size XL: 36"-39" (Diesel Chassis)
Size Bus: 40"-42" (Bus 22-1/2" Wheels)
Size OS: 43"-45" (Oversized Bus Tires)
I bought the 40-42" size and they fit well.
Bob
Three years ago I saw a set of tire covers being put on a coach at Potter's Creek in TX. The covers had a spring steel rod sewn into the fabric. Only about 3/4 of a circle. All it took was for the rod to be flexed open far enough to fit over toe tire. It then became self-retaining on the tire. Neat!!
Our XZA3+, 275/80R22.5 LR-H tires use ADCO BUS size tire covers. Smaller tire covers would not work for us.
Thanks Bob, that's a good chart, I'd pretty much decided on ADCO tyre guards, on sale at Camping World in Tampa for another 2 days, they'll give me the online deal, 40-42" for $38.99 a pair, can pay on the phone & pick 'em up next week on the way over to Polk City.
The coach is in a very nice covered RV port but gets sun on the west side every afternoon and she'll stay there for much of the summer. I might also park her in different directions off and on so the new paint job doesn't get a work-out on one side only.
Miz Dani
I just purchased a set of the Adco. They are the bus 40 to 42. My tires are 295's, they work great. The old ones are still stuck in the ice where it was parked all winter up here in central Maine. But they needed replacement anyway.
That view from my coach front window is still that four letter word, SNOW, but it is going fast now, 64 yesterday and today with lots of sun.
Norm
Thanks Norm, et al....got 2 sets of the 40-42" on sale today from Camping World in Tampa, pick 'em up Thursday. Joined Good Sam Club ($25 year) to get the sale price.
In case you might be wondering how the two tone Adco Designer Tyre Gards look, here is a shot. They (40-42") fit pretty well and seem to be well made. The Velcro fastened loop on the back is pretty loose, but might work OK. They certainly look good with this FT color scheme. Cost at Camping World $82.87 for a set of 4. Nice to have the coach not wearing "white socks!"
George
I got a good lesson on covering tires on my recently purchased 2003 U270. The four year old Michelins were severely cracked, deep deep cracks in the side walls on the fronts and outer duals. The inner duals look like new, absolutely no cracking whatsoever. Keeping the sun off really helps.
As expensive as new coach tires are, its a no-brainer to cover them. Even with a cheap bedsheet or blanket. Mine aren't covered & I don't think they've ever been covered. The rubber is so deteriorated that it turns your hand black when you wipe them... I guess I'll invest in new covers when I replace my tires this summer.
This just adds to my puzzlement as to how it can be that these goodyear g157's here can be in such pristine-apprearing condition. Zero cracks in tread or sidewall, no black marks from rubbing them, no apparent issues of any sort. But the 3 digit DOT code says these things are 15 years old! much as it pains me to throw away really expensive tires that look perfectly serviceable, they're getting replaced before next road trip anyhow..
I had a pair of Goodyear G670RV's for 11 years on my Bluebird with zero cracking, so Goodyear knows how to fight UV damage if they want to. They were still on the coach when I sold it, and they were in the totally abusive tag axle position.
I just can't see pushing them from here to Oregon to Yellowstone to Bismarck to Glacier and back home. Heartbreaking, for a skinflint like me!
The surface cracking you see is mostly cosmetic. Your tire rubber gets harder and harder(read less and less flexible) as it ages. Your good looking old tires will be hard as rocks and very dangerous.
Seen a lot of used Rv tires. The inner rubber coating over the tread steel carcass is very thin. Seems water vapor goes through it and rusts the steel belts.
Lots of posts here on dry air or dry nitrogen and the correct mounting grease that does not break down into water will slow this down.
The coach air output as far as I know is dry as is my tank nitrogen.
No rust inside and no cracks helps. You are right about harder although.
Learned about old hard tires taking them skiing. Ugly in ice. Slide outs are easy.
Sell them to a local independent hauler. As long as they run local they'll probably be glad for a good deal.
Tire covers are buy one get one until Oct 2nd.
Ultra Tyre Gard, Pair - Tire Diameter 40" to 42", Polar White - ADCO 3949 - Tire (http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/ultra-tyre-gard-pair-tire-diameter-40-to-42-polar-white/21650)
Mark
While at MOT, the tech suggested the snap on wheel covers to keep the UV from the tires AND the rubber air bags. Has anyone found a supplier for the snap on tire covers? Anyone in Nacogdoches?
Wheel Covers (https://rvsunshadeco.com/Wheel_Covers.html)
RV Snap On Window Covers, Tire Covers, Mirror Covers & Wiper Covers (http://www.rvsunshade.co/products.html)
I very much prefer the various covers from MagnaShade. No snaps, no holes. My window and tire covers work fine, look great.
Here is the link. These look very nice for the tires. EZ Fold RV Tire Shade | Magne Shade (https://magneshade.com/product/tire-shades/)
I was looking for ones that snapped on and also protected the air bags from UV.
Fred I made mine used marine vinyl put 3 snaps at top and one each in front and rear of tire. Upholstery shop didn't have the exact color i wanted but they cover the tires so I'll live with them
Chris
I bought the magnashades. Super easy to put on. Block UV. You can twist them up like a windshield cover. I found that just leaving them open and putting them on top of everything in the bay or back of the toad car was quick and they are very thin.
I just wash them and use 303 afterwards. And car wash soap and 303 are the only products to touch the tires.
MCD made that style of tire shades about 10 or so years ago. Not sure if Airxcel, who bought MCD, still offers them. I don't see them on the website.
Why not just spray them with 303?
Never had tire cracks on a tire that was sprayed with 303 one or twice a year
When at home, I use these cheapies from Amazon. 2 years and still going...
Amazon.com: kayme Four Layers Tire Covers Set of 4 for Rv Travel Trailer... (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089JY66GY)
I just don't like doing the reach around or doing a low crawl on the ground to connect that rear strap on that type of cover. But the price is right. ^.^d
I don't attach them. The elastic is enough to hold them on the tires in all but the windiest days here (blowing over 50mph)...then I just go find the one or two that blew off in the yard, and put them back on. LOL
Stay off the ground with a long bungie that loops over tire and hooks together on the outside. Bungie is horizontal, about mid-point on tire.
I sent the idea to ADCO and they thanked us with free set of tire covers.
Easy, quick, works every time to save knees and dirty clothes, and prevents wondering covers from being used by neighbors.
If you can't find long enough bungies, hook two long ones together with cable ties to keep them from unhooking. Then throw the attached hooks over the tire to locate them on the inside of the tire.
Yeah I lost one of those covers to the high winds. I learned to tie the bougie around something like the fender stiffener at the bottom. Save me from recovering a few of them.
I want to make my own covers out of something like sunbrella shade which blocks UV but also let some air through. Be easy enough to make on a sewing machine and the snaps would go on the wheel well.
Unfortunately my Sailrite sewing machine is in Oklahoma with the x she might have sold it by now.
I think the 303 works just fine personally. By the time they start cracking really badly it's time to replace them anyway.
We ended up having Infinity in Nacogdoches make custom wheel covers. They cut the matching marine vinyl and installed the snaps. I'll have to get a photo. Very happy with the result.
I did find 303 at the auto parts store. I'll use that as well. Thanks for the tip.
Just to circle back around. I am attaching a photo of the tire covers that Infinity made for us. My wife had them make a second set that that were 2 inches longer so when we level the coach, we can use the best fit (shorter or longer ones) as needed.