Tire Care

[chucknoel]

Hello fellow Grand Design Owners,

I own a 2015 Solitude. At one point we were full timers, now we just take several trips throughout the year. I have been told that it is bad to leave your fifth wheels on the ground or cement when you are not traveling (i.e. for six months at a time). They say it increases the chances of blowouts.

First, is this true. Second, if it is true, can you use the levelers to bring the wheels off the ground while in storage. I noticed that at times when I use the automatic level feature, the rear tires will be raised off the ground. Not sure if the system can support that kind of usage for an extended period. Third, if it true and the leveling system doesn't support raising the wheels off the ground, how do you get the unit off the ground?

Any advice you might have will be greatly appreciated.

THANKS,
Chuck

[livinthelife]

Hello fellow Grand Design Owners,

I own a 2015 Solitude. At one point we were full timers, now we just take several trips throughout the year. I have been told that it is bad to leave your fifth wheels on the ground or cement when you are not traveling (i.e. for six months at a time). They say it increases the chances of blowouts.

First, is this true. Second, if it is true, can you use the levelers to bring the wheels off the ground while in storage. I noticed that at times when I use the automatic level feature, the rear tires will be raised off the ground. Not sure if the system can support that kind of usage for an extended period. Third, if it true and the leveling system doesn't support raising the wheels off the ground, how do you get the unit off the ground?

Any advice you might have will be greatly appreciated.

THANKS,
Chuck

We use our auto level to take the weight off the tires (just like in a campground), but not actually raise them off the asphalt (that's what our storage yard has).

[zinman]

chucknoel, if you have the Lippert auto level system, it is not designed to lift the wheels tires off the ground. Keeping your tires fully inflated and non contact with concrete will help with long term durability. If possible rotate the tire position so you don't develop a flat spot during storage. Sort of non sensical but tire rubber will wick moisture which hastens deterioration. Keeping them off damp concrete (esp if parked outside) will help avoid that problem. Use a non absorbent barrier like sheet pvc or similar between the concrete and tire and if outside use tire covers. Regarding your experience with finding one tire lifted off the ground during auto level. If your rv park site pad is that far off camber I believe the Lippert manual recommend that you "repark" your unit so you have support under that tire when your ram is leveling the coach. I had the same thing happen at an RV park in Missoula Montana this September, it really is a pisser because by the time you find the issue your already unhitched and you know the rest. If you are dead set on having your tires off the ground then look at Trailer Legs Tire Saver, not cheap but effective. When I looked at them I personally didn't like placement under the axles. Safe travels!!

[chucknoel]

Thanks for the reply zinman. I keep my fifth wheel in my garage - super dry concrete, but i still worry about the deterioration to the tires. Seems like best thing to do is keep the tires rolling.