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Topic: Winterizing done, but tires/levelers? (Read 161 times) previous topic - next topic
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Winterizing done, but tires/levelers?
My new to me 2005 RK is resting peacefully in a well covered winter storage bay, water systems all winterized -- coach is in Michigan, so will experience wide temp ranges below freezing in the next 120 days. There is 30 amp service in the storage bay and overall access is good, so I can easily take it for a ride during the winter any time.
I have two questions.
1) Some RV owners suggest setting wood pieces under tires to keep them from resting directly on the ground.... purpose of/reactions to this? There are A's, C's and 5rs alongside me, and none is using wood plank platforms.  (Brand new Michelins on my coach.)
2) I have Big Foot Levelers, but am not planning to deploy them during winter storage. Should I?
Thanks to all, Marcia
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Marcia Boynton
2005 26.5 RK
Adrian and Northport, MI
Re: Winterizing done, but tires/levelers?
Reply #1 –
Hi Marcia,

Placing wood under the tires during winter storage was something I practiced up here in the mountains when I had my trailer. I had read that it's good to do to help preserve the tires, along with covering. This blog post may be helpful:

RV 101® Education with Mark Polk: The Purpose of Wood Under RV Tires in Storage
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Winterizing done, but tires/levelers?
Reply #2 –
I can't answer about whether to deploy one's levelers when the rig is in storage (can the rig be leveled without using these?), but I would put some sort of 'barrier' between the floor of the storage unit and the rig's tires. This precaution is particularly important if the floor surface is asphalt; the petroleum distillates in asphalt can leach compounds from rubber tires. Well-cured concrete is not as hard on tires (as asphalt), but I'd still use a barrier. I suggest avoiding wood unless it's painted because wood retains moisture and can develop mold. I use plastic cutting 'boards'; even the thin, flexible ones work fine.  Or, use Lynx blocks to level and block all around, making sure to block up both the inner and outer dual.

Flat-spotting of tires can be a problem with long-term storage; if you can take the rig for a ride without getting road salts all over its undercarriage, you might want to do that. (Depending on exposure to road salt, hosing off the undercarriage before storing it after its ride is a good idea to prevent a rusted and pitted rig underbelly!) 'Exercising' the tires will help keep them in round and prevent flat-spotting.





2003 TK has a new home
 
Re: Winterizing done, but tires/levelers?
Reply #3 –
I'd also read about a barrier under the tires.  Dad put a 20 x20 concrete pad in the front corner of the machine shed where he had his shop area.  LDy Lulubelle's front tires are off that in the gravel that fills the rest of the building.  Since the tenant's tractors/combine/etc. don't have anything under the tires, & Dad never put anything under his tractor tires, I've not put anything under the rigs front tires.  I do have some big pieces of cardboard (like washer/dryer boxes) that I've used under the duallies & I've some pieces of formica that came out of a house I redid.  Given Joan's observation about wood wicking moisture, I guess the formica would be better than the cardboard.

Since I've not had a need to reconnect the rural electricity I don't plug her in, &  because I need to exercise the genn, I usually try to find a sunny day to go out once a month (if I've not been on a trip).  I pull her out of the shed into the sun on a bit of a hill angled toward the sun & put down one side of her Big Feet to increase the angle, so she can get as much sun as possible.  I exercise the genn, then do whatever I've got lined up at the farm for the day, then finish the day with about five minutes driving around the pasture before putting her back in the shed.  I don't have to worry about salt, and even if it's been snowy or wet, she doesn't get that dirty at the low speed I'm driving in the pasture.

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm