Storage of Coach on Rubber Mats for Tire Protection

[Country Roads]

I currently store my Dutch Star on rubber mats to prevent moisture coming from concrete into tires In an outside covered area. Will be moving it to a temperature control inside storage facility (concrete floor). Is it necessary to continue using the rubber mats to store it in this environment? Suggestions please!

 

[Rod]

My two cents:
That is how the coach is stored at my place, clim-controlled on very dense, 3/4" horse stall mats. Beneficial? Who knows, but my opinion is no harm and it very well be. Amazingly, the mats are hardly depressed when the coach is off of them after months on. Dense stuff!

 

[J&JD]

IMHO your tires will “age out” long before any damage will occur from ground/concrete moisture. But then again, I feel the same about tire covers being installed when stored or stopped. Not worth the time or effort to me.

 

[redbaron]

IMHO your tires will “age out” long before any damage will occur from ground/concrete moisture. But then again, I feel the same about tire covers being installed when stored or stopped. Not worth the time or effort to me.

X2

 

[Rod]

We all have our own ideas of how to best protect our coaches, some espouce Nord-lock washers, flange nuts and thread lock while the Stage 8 system is clearly superior. I use the mats to cushion the tires from the flattening effect of sitting on a hard surface for months...little time, little effort, no sweat, my opinion.

 

[Russsilber90]

I currently store my Dutch Star on rubber mats to prevent moisture coming from concrete into tires In an outside covered area. Will be moving it to a temperature control inside storage facility (concrete floor). Is it necessary to continue using the rubber mats to store it in this environment? Suggestions please!

Not necessary. Plywood out side nothing inside if floor is dry.

 

[Country Roads]

Thank you for respones.

 

[J&JD]

I use the mats to cushion the tires from the flattening effect of sitting on a hard surface for months...little time, little effort, no sweat, my opinion.

If that’s your concern, just drop the jacks to take a bit of weight off the tires.

 

[JRS]

I don't worry about the cement but do treat the tires with McKee's 37 Gloss Tire Gel Treatment. It's non petroleum and also contains UV protectant. The picture below looks wet but the surface is actually dry. They have a new ceramic and graphene tire treatment but haven't tried it yet. Was told the owner of the company owns a Dutch Star.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

We store our TT outside and on the dirt. I use lengths of pressure-treated 2 x 10's, about 6 ft long, to keep the tires from slowly sinking into the dirt and to level the TT. I have them in the correct position and back the TT on them when parking. {Greatly improves ones backing skills too. } This distributes the weight over a larger surface area. Yes, I agree, tires age out before wear out.

 

[Rod]

Excerpted from the 28 page

MICHELIN RV TIRE
GUIDE FOR PROPER USE
AND MAINTENANCE

LONG TERM STORAGE
When a tire is fitted to a wheel and put under load,
but it is not regularly used, the tire does not have an
opportunity to “exercise” and will prematurely age.
If a recreational vehicle is not driven regularly, care
must be taken to preserve the remaining life of the tires.
Best practices include:
1. Store the recreational vehicle in a cool, dry, sealed
garage, away from electric generators or transformers.
Do not store in an area where welding is performed, or
in a garage that has frequently used electric motors.
2. Place a barrier between the tire and the storage
surface. Suitable barriers include plastic, plywood,
cardboard, or rubber floor mats.
3. Before storing the vehicles, thoroughly clean tires with
soap and water.
4. If outdoors, cover tires to block direct sunlight and
ultraviolet rays.
5. Inflate tires to the maximum inflation pressure
indicated on the sidewall.
6. If long term storage exceeds 3 months, consider taking
the recreational vehicle for monthly highway drives
(about one hour of operational time). Driving the
vehicle will give the tires an opportunity to generate
internal heat which will promote long life.
Before removing the vehicle from long term storage,
thoroughly inspect each tire, and restore all tires to the
proper inflation pressure.

 

[Gizmo]

I used to use blocks to store my Coach. I had 6 sets of blocks that were tall enough to support the majority weight of the coach and then retract the jacks. I would use the jacks to lift the coach just enough to slide the blocks under the frame and would lower the jacks. Now we winterize our coach in Oct and leave somewhere in warmer weather in Dec so I don't feel it is worth the effort.
We set for 3 to 4 months down south so do the people the use mats use them while they are camping also?
I have been told cement is the best surface to store on and asphalt is the worest since asphalt is an oil base and will damage the tires.
We have two cars and of course, leave one behind when we go south. Do you use mats under your car tires while you're gone?

 

[Bob K4TAX]

Our vehicles are always kept in our garage on a clean concrete floor. As to our travel trailer, I park it outside and have the required lengths and number of 2 x 12's, pressure-treated material, on which the tires sit. Also, the TT is blocked with the 2 x 12's such that it is precisely level, left to right and front to back.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

We use rubber mats whenever the rig is parked on a hard surface for more than a couple weeks. Not much extra work and if the tire mfg states it can help make tires last a little longer, will definitely do my part.

 

[Rod]

I used to use blocks to store my Coach. I had 6 sets of blocks that were tall enough to support the majority weight of the coach and then retract the jacks. I would use the jacks to lift the coach just enough to slide the blocks under the frame and would lower the jacks. Now we winterize our coach in Oct and leave somewhere in warmer weather in Dec so I don't feel it is worth the effort.
We set for 3 to 4 months down south so do the people the use mats use them while they are camping also?
I have been told cement is the best surface to store on and asphalt is the worest since asphalt is an oil base and will damage the tires.
We have two cars and of course, leave one behind when we go south. Do you use mats under your car tires while you're gone?

Just sharing manufacturer's recommendations with the group, can split this hair a thousand ways.