long term parking, on gravel, wood or concrete

[tfbeitz]

We will be putting "Geronimo" semi permanently in a campground.

There may be concrete pads there already. What is best?

1. Directly on the concrete
2. Put pressure treated wood on the concrete
3. Put un-treated wood on the concrete
4. Raise "Geronimo" on jack stands or blocks just so it is off the ground

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by tfbeitz

We will be putting "Geronimo" semi permanently in a campground.

There may be concrete pads there already. What is best?

1. Directly on the concrete
2. Put pressure treated wood on the concrete
3. Put un-treated wood on the concrete
4. Raise "Geronimo" on jack stands or blocks just so it is off the ground

I would put something under the tires, jack stands might be a plus to take a bit of weight off the torsion axles. How long do you plan to stay parked? Airstreams need to move to stay alive.

Aaron

[slowmover]

MICHELIN recommends wood or rubber under the tires no matter the surface. I use pressure-treat, but am keeping an eye out for scrap rubber to slip under the wood.

Also, as a related note, it may be that 5" minimum wood under stabilizing jacks is a good insulator in the event of lightning (see Texas Lightning thread). Think I'll get just a bit more rubber for the wood there, as well.

And it's a good note about long-term: tires need to roll about every ninety-days, and the torsion axles ought to be exercised more than once annually. Of course, one can simply have the $$ available to replace axles/brakes/tires after a few years of sitting. A good set of four tires ought to close to $1000 and a pair of axles/brakes, installed, maybe $2000.

.

[NevadaGeo]

Think about ants, spiders and crawley things crawling up the jack stands and tires. Or dropping in from overhead during it's long stay. I seem to have recurring yellow jackets setting up camp in one battery box.

[ROBERT CROSS]

A reply from Bridgestone on storage....
The most damaging condition....inactivity for extended periods.


Dear Tire Doctor,

Can storing a vehicle on concrete effect the tires? Should I put barriers like plastic or other non-porous material under the tires? How about the effects of continuous storage for several days at a time with use between storage periods?



Dear Len,

Thank you for contacting Bridgestone and allowing us to assist you.

First of all, regarding the effects of storage:

A cool, dry, sealed garage is your best condition for storage, however, it is realized that this is not often an available option. Concrete is not the tire enemy some people think it is.

We would recommend the following steps in storing a vehicle:

1. Make sure the floor / ground surface is free of any petroleum product contamination (Oil, grease, fuel, etc.) since petroleum products will attack rubber and can cause significant damage to compound characteristics.

2. Thoroughly clean your tires with soap and water.

3. Place a barrier such as plastic, cardboard, or plywood between the tires and the ground surface.

4. Cover your tires to block out direct sunlight and ultra violet rays.

5. Do not store the vehicle in close proximity to steam pipes, electrical generators or animal manure since these accelerate oxidation of the rubber.

6. Make sure your tires are fully inflated with air.

7. When the vehicle is ready to go back into service, inspect the tires for excessive cracking in both the sidewall and tread area and check all tire air pressures. Tires will normally lose about 2 PSI per month so you should expect to find the pressures lower than when you put the vehicle into storage. Re-inflate the tires to the correct air pressure before operation.

Now, about the effects of time:

Yes, rubber compound does slowly change over time, becoming "harder" as it ages. But unless we are talking years, this would be virtually undetectable. However; the most likely effect of storage will be:

1. Flat spotting of the tires from taking a 'set' while sitting in one position for an extended length of time. This 'set' may work itself out of the tires after being put back into operation, but not always. This, of course, would result in a vibration.

2. Tires have waxes and oils specially formulated to protect against ozone damage built into their rubber compounds. When the tire rotates and flexes, these waxes and oils are forced to the tire's surface and are thus able to protect the tire. When a tire is stationary, these waxes and oils are not coming to the surface and thus the tire is at greater risk of ozone damage.

3. Several days of non-use at a time is not nearly as detrimental to tires as long storage periods. The tires would still be operated often enough to avoid excessive 'set' and the waxes and oils are being forced to the tire's surface often enough to provide adequate protection against ozone.

Best regards, Tire Doctor"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

POI...our tires come off for Winter storage.

Bob

[aireseneca]

Originally Posted by NevadaGeo

Think about ants, spiders and crawley things crawling up the jack stands and tires. Or dropping in from overhead during it's long stay. I seem to have recurring yellow jackets setting up camp in one battery box.

Try a No-Pest Strip like this:

ToolKing.com: Spectrum Group 95580-3 Hot-Shots No-Pest Strips

They have no smell that I can detect but you can always remove it when you want to take the camper out for a trip.

Every spring, I throw one in any enclosed space that seems to attract stinging insects--near the vents in the attic, wood shed, garage. They may check it out for a nest but they never stay.

You can find them for sale in many places....

[Action]

In my part of the world, if long term storage is on dirt and I use a wood barrier, termites will find the wood and start consuming it. Pressure treated wood helps. And a non-wood item is better.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[SStar]

If you really think you need some sort of barrier between your tires and the ground you might try synthetic fence material. It comes in 5/8" thick x 11'' wide by 8' long. It is very durable, imperious to moisture, insects, whatever. It is great to cut in 11" squares to place under stabilizer jacks. I cut an 8' in two pieces to use for leveling material. It is available at Lowes or Home Depot, last I bought was about $30 dollars for 8'. Not cheap, but you just buy it once.

[adonh]

Originally Posted by SStar

If you really think you need some sort of barrier between your tires and the ground you might try synthetic fence material. It comes in 5/8" thick x 11'' wide by 8' long. It is very durable, imperious to moisture, insects, whatever. It is great to cut in 11" squares to place under stabilizer jacks. I cut an 8' in two pieces to use for leveling material. It is available at Lowes or Home Depot, last I bought was about $30 dollars for 8'. Not cheap, but you just buy it once.

Thanks, I have been looking at expensive leveling jack pads and this sounds like the answer to what I need.

[SStar]

Thanks, I have been looking at expensive leveling jack pads and this sounds like the answer to what I need.

I drilled a hole in the corner of each pad so that I can position or remove them with a hook fashioned from an old golf club. With my back and knees I need every advantage i can get.

[AldeanFan]

If you park the trailer on it's tires for any significant period of time the tires will need to be replaced when you start using it again. If I were parking permanently I wouldn't worry about the tires since they will be discarded when the trailer is towed next.

For temporary longer term parking (more than 1 month less than 12 months) I jack up my trailer and cover the tires. The tires are about 1/2" off the ground so it doesn't matter what is underneath

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by AldeanFan

If you park the trailer on it's tires for any significant period of time the tires will need to be replaced when you start using it again. If I were parking permanently I wouldn't worry about the tires since they will be discarded when the trailer is towed next.

For temporary longer term parking (more than 1 month less than 12 months) I jack up my trailer and cover the tires. The tires are about 1/2" off the ground so it doesn't matter what is underneath

yep.....

Summer


Winter



Bob