Replacing trailer tires to truck tires

It is said that leaving tires sitting on pavement long term without moving them is bad for the rubber. Seems the pavement will suck the moisture out of the rubber. Those big plastic cutting mats would help. Put one under each tire.
Actually, "it is suggested you not park on asphalt as the oils in the tar can attack the tread rubber'.

Source: Long Term Parking - Winterizing
 
Actually, "it is suggested you not park on asphalt as the oils in the tar can attack the tread rubber'.
From that same article, "It is also suggested that you not park on dirt or sand as the moisture can migrate into the tire and possibly cause corrosion of the steel."

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In summary
- Don't park on pavement (concrete?) because it sucks the moisture out of the tires.
- Don't park on asphalt because oil can attack the rubber.
- Don't park on dirt or sand (or I guess anything wet) because the moisture will corrode the wheels (although mine are aluminum).

I'm going to go get a plastic tarp to park my truck on.
 
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From that same article, "It is also suggested that you not park on dirt or sand as the moisture can migrate into the tire and possibly cause corrosion of the steel."

View attachment 110810
In summary
- Don't park on pavement (concrete?) because it sucks the moisture out of the tires.
- Don't park on asphalt because oil can attack the rubber.
- Don't park on dirt or sand (or I guess anything wet) because the moisture will corrode the wheels (although mine are aluminum).

I'm going to go get a plastic tarp to park my truck on.
Or use the levelers to raise the tires off the ground.:eek:
 
We have stored multiple RV's using 2x8x8 board and then cut to fit a 3/4" thick horse stall mat (Tractor Supply) on top of it. RV is stored on a concrete pad- non climate controlled storage unit. Have never had an issue with tires to date.

Dutchman2
 
I keep mine in a climate controlled garage and I still park on rubber pads to stay off the concrete. And when we leave for months at a time the car and golf carts get parked on rubber or thick (1/4") plexiglass. It's likely all overkill but whatever.....

All that because I read somewhere a long time ago to use something that does not allow moisture to weep from the ground into tires that just sit. So boards are not an acceptable long term solution because they absorb moisture and pretty soon the tires are right back on not so dry "ground".

then there is this..... 'a rolling stone (tire) gathers no moss..... So travel a lot. ;)
 
Regarding parking/storing a vehicle/tires on concrete or whatever. For years, my wife and I each had our summer cars and winter trucks. The cars would be parked in the garage on the concrete for nearly six months of the year and the trucks would be parked for the most part the other six months of the year. I know all the arguments about how to treat your tires and aging. My experience was that after 10 years, I never had any of them age-out, never had flat spots that didn't come out with a few miles driven (although the cars that were not moved all winter, I did put an extra 15psi in them - the trucks were used occasionally in summer, so nothing special was done to them), and we did not have any weather checking or other problems aside from normal wear. However, they were stored in heated shed over winter, stored in the shed over summer, and we both worked where cars were parked in parking ramps year round so they never sat in the sun on a regular basis.
 
... they never sat in the sun on a regular basis
I think this is the key. I have had the opposite experience you have. My tires never wore out; I had to replace after 4 seasons due to dry rot. I am horrible about covering mine, and my RV is always outdoors, exposed to the sun.
 
I think this is the key. I have had the opposite experience you have. My tires never wore out; I had to replace after 4 seasons due to dry rot. I am horrible about covering mine, and my RV is always outdoors, exposed to the sun.
You bring up a good point and I hadn't thought about this. When we had our motorhomes years ago, I poured concrete pads for all the wheels so it would sit level and not on the grass/dirt next to our garage. But I was very conscientious about putting on the tire covers every time I parked them. Those didn't dry rot either, but I also didn't have them for 10+ years. It's a no-brainer that the sun will kill tires, but I still question how much concrete affects them based on my experience.
 
IMO...and you know what they say about those.......
If you are off pavement, boondocking a lot....definitely go for the LT truck tire with an appropriate load rating. ST's will not last.
If you are mostly on pavement...a quality ST would be good. Don't go for the cheapest you can find.
As to trailer ride quality. You will never notice a difference whatever tireOne of the main problems

IMO...and you know what they say about those.......
If you are off pavement, boondocking a lot....definitely go for the LT truck tire with an appropriate load rating. ST's will not last.
If you are mostly on pavement...a quality ST would be good. Don't go for the cheapest you can find.
As to trailer ride quality. You will never notice a difference whatever tire you buy.
One of the main problems with ST tires in the 14-16" class is that not one manufacturer has more than one to choose from.
LT tires in the 16" class has many choices. They are ranked as good, better, and best. with corosponding prices.
None of the 16" class ST tires would rank better than good. the consumer cannot spend more money for a better ST tire, as they simply do not exist.

Some of the higher end RV builders do offer LT tires as standard ot optional equiptment

As I noted earlier. The 17.5" class tires are commercial duty, and would be considered a "best" choice.
 
Hi: We've just purchased a 2024 GD 310GK fifth wheel. It was suggested to us to replace the Goodyear trailer tires with Michelin truck tires with the same load rating. It was stated that truck tires are softer & gives the trailer a better ride.
We are also wondering if the self-levelers on the trailer might also need wood placed under the tires to level, before using the self-levelers, in some circumstances.( We are new owners who have never used the self-leveling system, that is why we have this question.)
Thoughts on these topic would be appreciated. Thanks for any advice you might give us.
I would not be in any rush to replace new tires. Usually the Goodyear have a good reputation. Run with the Goodyear tires for a while and see what your experience is like. A lot of the members of the forum switch to the Goodyears.
As far as the leveling, I do not bother with anything under the tires before leveling. I let the auto-level do its job. I do put blocks under the legs to give a larger platform for stability.
 

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