What to park on?

Topic: What to park on? (Read 845 times) previous topic - next topic

What to park on?

March 22, 2019, 03:43:58 pm

We're getting closer to getting a home base. We won't know until we bid on it whether it will have some sort of gravel or concrete. If we get a lot that is all gravel I'm thinking that it would be good to put some sort of mat or wood under the tires. What about concrete? would it be advisable to put something there, too, or not?

As I was writing the above, I started thinking about rain. Parking on gravel without something under the tires would certainly limit pooling of water around the tires. The water isn't going to go through the concrete, so whatever I put between the concrete and the tires isn't going to change anything.

I've thought about buying a couple lengths of 2x10 treated lumber to cut to size to fit under each tire, to be placed there as we land at the park. These would be left there, in the storage shed, when we're away. I already carry several lengths of 2x6 to put under the tires when we're on softer ground or when the air leveling isn't enough to get us level.

Re: What to park on?

Reply #1 – March 22, 2019, 04:01:46 pm

My choice, especially for long term: I air the tires to max when being parked for a while, put 2 x blocks under the kick-downs to take some weight off and level.

Re: What to park on?

Reply #2 – March 22, 2019, 05:24:29 pm

I bought 6 of those orange plastic pads weather on gravel or concrete I use them , I also cover my tires with covers. Have had good luck with both keeping moisture and sun off them.

Re: What to park on?

Reply #3 – March 22, 2019, 06:29:23 pm

Quote from: Andy 2 – March 22, 2019, 05:24:29 pm

I bought 6 of those orange plastic pads weather on gravel or concrete I use them , I also cover my tires with covers. Have had good luck with both keeping moisture and sun off them.

Pads are a good idea. I have seen coaches down here in the desert that used the covers and the heat in between trashed the tires. I've been using this since it first came out:

Re: What to park on?

Reply #4 – March 22, 2019, 07:22:29 pm

David, if you are on gravel put down some plywood or wood planks and scraps of vinyl flooring for the tires to sit on. I have been using FLOR carpet tiles. 1/2M squares, waterproof backing. 1 per tire. $2.25 each now with 25% off. Sometimes theynare cheaper. Sometimes free shipping.Imgot about 30 of them for $0.75 each and free ahipping. If you are on gravel I would put down wood as well.

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Re: What to park on?

Reply #5 – March 22, 2019, 07:37:38 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – March 22, 2019, 07:22:29 pm

David, if you are on gravel put down some plywood or wood planks and scraps of vinyl flooring for the tires to sit on. I have been using FLOR carpet tiles. 1/2M squares, waterproof backing. 1 per tire. $2.25 each now with 25% off. Sometimes theynare cheaper. Sometimes free shipping.Imgot about 30 of them for $0.75 each and free ahipping. If you are on gravel I would put down wood as well.

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Any reason for all the who-ha: tiles, planks, viinyl flooring, etc.?

In thirty-five years of parking my coaches on gravel, I've never used any of that stuff, and had zero tire problems. I do know, you will never be accused of 'underkill'.

Re: What to park on?

Reply #6 – March 22, 2019, 07:50:31 pm

In prior discussions this, I recall a concern for concrete. Protect. I use 1/4 inch thick nylon cutting boards cheap, Don Hay put me on to those, got cheapest at Ross but still more than vinyl.

Scott told me about horse stall rubber mats. Tractor supply. Easier to haul than wood, cut to size. Seems great for helping level and for park storage

If sun exposure, protect the tires.

Consider driving from time to time. Maybe it was Brett who told me that it keeps some internal to tire chemicals in balance, helps protect them. Apologies to Brett if I have that wrong attribute or misquoted.

Re: What to park on?

Reply #7 – March 22, 2019, 09:57:44 pm

Driving exercises the tires and brings the oils in the rubber out to the surface keeping the exterior rubber nourished and in good condition, extending the life of the tire. The more the tires are driven the longer they last (then again it's an RV and the sun and lack of high mileage will still age the tires)

Re: What to park on?

Reply #8 – March 22, 2019, 10:07:55 pm

Mike,

You are absolutely correct. As they flex and warm, the emoluments migrate to the surface to continue protecting the tire.

Re: What to park on?

Reply #9 – March 23, 2019, 12:33:43 am

Is there any evidence of harmful effects on tires parked on bare concrete or limestone from a tire manf or others on this point. Inquiring minds want to know why.

Re: What to park on?

Reply #10 – March 23, 2019, 12:53:34 am

See
RV Tire Pads

Re: What to park on?

Reply #11 – March 23, 2019, 11:26:46 am

We use pads made from 2x6 pressure treated wood buried on top of gravel. I have no idea of the science behind the wood pads, but I read the suggestion on this forum. The gravel was because of an experience last month getting stuck in my own yard. 4 cu yards of gravel solved that.

Re: What to park on?

Reply #12 – March 23, 2019, 11:47:35 am

I have been using pieces of commercial industrial belting that is both woven and rubber.. When I had the pit being concrete I used these pads too.
Putting creme on the sides does not help the perimeter of them and that is the surface we rely on.
JohnH

Re: What to park on?

Reply #13 – March 23, 2019, 01:08:38 pm

I probably should have given more information in my original post, so here it is.

We have our names on the waiting lists at two Escapees Co-ops. All of the lots at both places have gravel as the standard. Some of the lots have varying amounts of concrete for parking. We won't know until we get a lot exactly what we will have to deal with. I cover the tires if we're going to be parked for more than just overnight.

Wherever we end up getting a lot, that will be a sort of home base for us, in that we'll have a storage shed there so that we won't have to carry everything with us all the time. We are NOT planning on parking there permanently, but will probably be there more than not during the late fall to early spring times. One of the two co-ops in Hondo, TX, which isn't all that far from Nac (okay, a couple of days), and the other is in Lakewood, NM, so three days away.

What I won't know until we get the lot is how thick the concrete might be. I'm guessing that it might be only 4" thick, but then it may have decent footings, since it was intended to park an RV on. My preference would be to have a lot that doesn't have concrete, and then I can have concrete added with proper footings and strength to support even the largest MH.

Re: What to park on?

Reply #14 – March 27, 2019, 02:20:41 pm

Your tires are going to hit the Foretravel Forum approved 8 yr age limit before you get any damage from parking on gravel.

Re: What to park on?

Reply #15 – March 27, 2019, 04:44:20 pm

David, I'm curious, how much is a lot at an escapees co-op? Also, how much are the HOA fees?

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What to park on?

March 22, 2019, 03:43:58 pm

Re: What to park on?

Reply #1 – March 22, 2019, 04:01:46 pm

Re: What to park on?

Reply #2 – March 22, 2019, 05:24:29 pm

Re: What to park on?

Reply #3 – March 22, 2019, 06:29:23 pm

Re: What to park on?

Reply #4 – March 22, 2019, 07:22:29 pm

Re: What to park on?

Reply #5 – March 22, 2019, 07:37:38 pm

Re: What to park on?

Reply #6 – March 22, 2019, 07:50:31 pm

Re: What to park on?

Reply #7 – March 22, 2019, 09:57:44 pm

Re: What to park on?

Reply #8 – March 22, 2019, 10:07:55 pm

Re: What to park on?

Reply #9 – March 23, 2019, 12:33:43 am

Re: What to park on?

Reply #10 – March 23, 2019, 12:53:34 am

Re: What to park on?

Reply #11 – March 23, 2019, 11:26:46 am

Re: What to park on?

Reply #12 – March 23, 2019, 11:47:35 am

Re: What to park on?

Reply #13 – March 23, 2019, 01:08:38 pm

Re: What to park on?

Reply #14 – March 27, 2019, 02:20:41 pm

Re: What to park on?

Reply #15 – March 27, 2019, 04:44:20 pm

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