trailer tire protection

[trailertrawlerkismet]

I often see parked Motorhomes that have covers on their tires to protect them from the beating sun rays and therefore protect them dry rot. Are there any Tugnuts who have experience with tire covers and or who have an opinion on their usage.....are they worth the expense for our boat trailers stored/parked outside?

 

[JamesTXSD]

Hi Jim,

We have owned a number of motorhomes and currently have a 5th wheel. The tires that you see on larger RVs are designed to go a lot of miles... seems that they often "time out" before they wear out. The covers are popular, and probably do help. I say "probably," because we did use them on a couple motorhomes, but generally traded before we wore out the tires.

We are currently in an RV park in south Texas, and I don't see anyone with tire covers here (but most of the RVs have moved north). We were in the Phoenix area with our 5th wheel the past two and a half months, and we saw lots of RVs with the tire covers.

Trailer tires like we have on our boats seem to last us less than 20,000 miles; we are on our third set in just over 7 years. We do wear 'em out before they get beyond their useful life. We had a blowout on the boat trailer a year and a half ago. The road service guy who came out (first time I've had to use my Boat US towing insurance) told me that he has never had to change out a worn out trailer tire... they always come apart from age... and it is happening more frequently, probably due to manufacturing changes. He suggested that trailer tires be changed every 3 to 4 years, even if the tread still looks good. (And, no, he didn't sell tires.)

My take from that is that covers might extend the life of tires that sit a lot. UV exposure makes a difference. The other option is: haul that trailerable boat around and try to wear out the tires before they time out. 😉

If you decide to go with tire covers, go with white (we have seen white and black, as well as sun screen material attached over the wheel wells of RV. Here is a tread on that from FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association)...

http://community.fmca.com/topic/1912-re ... ure-study/

and from another RV forum...

http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index. ... ic=50257.0

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[knotflying]

Hi Jim,
I have used tire covers on mine, but as Jim B. says they probably will need replacing before they deteriorate from UV issues. Roam just had 3 go on him on his trip home and they were all the original tires. So it sound like to me 3 years and/or 20,000 miles get new tires.
The covers are pretty cheap so if it makes you feel better having them it surely won't hurt.

Mike Rizzo

 

[PhilR]

I acquired my Float On trailer in March, 2011 and each spring I tow my boat 75 miles to it's summer home on Lake George, and bring the trailer back to the warehouse...six months later I tow the trailer 75 miles to pick up the boat and bring it home to the warehouse. Total annual trailer miles 300. I find it hard to believe that my trailer tires aren't good/ safe for a few more years.

Phil

 

[LADYBUG TOO]

Tire life is affected by not just UV but also under inflation. Another issue is tire load range. Anyone with an R-29 should consider going to E-range tires and, yes, I think the sun covers are helpful. Also consider jack stands to unload the tires when not in use. I had a double axle camper that sat on jack stands for eight years before it was towed away by the guy who bought it from me. He went three more years with no trouble, not that I would want to trust tires that old.

Pat & Carolyn, Ladybug, Too