Question about tire covers

[kingdaddy]

Just curious as to how many use them and what is the consensus on their usefulness and effectiveness in preventing tire damage from exposure to the elements? Kind of assuming they would help somewhat.
Also wondering if black ones would get a lot hotter inside (compared to white) and not be good for tire life due to the heat? Seems like they might...anybody got 'em? Appreciate any feedback!

[Art-n-Marge]

I use white ones (actually off-white) because I didn't want to have to think about the possibility of black ones creating more heat. I do like using them - they are a pain to put on because mine have the bungie cord that gets installed on the inside of the tire and if I had to do it again, I would get the version with the round spring on the perimeter. You just spread the bottom open a bit, mount on the tire and let go. The spring then holds them in place.

I bought them at the same time I replaced all the trailer's tires. Since using them I've seen no cracking or side wear at all. On a prior trailer I did see cracking and there was some cracking on the previous tires on the Missions originally on this rig. It's hard to say if they make a difference because some tires do crack and some don't so I'm not sure these might help since I don't know why they crack in the first place. But I bought two pair for $50 on sale and thought it was a good enough investment.

[HOOK]

Nothing to buying an rv , it's all the "doodads". UV is tough covers worthwhile.

[ExPatNW]

Always put white covers on our tires when the rig is in storage. One side particularly gets strong sun a lot and I don't want it to damage the tires, especially given all the issues with tires I am reading about on this forum!

[Hooker]

Although my tires say covering is not necessary, that the tires have something in them to prevent sun damage, I use them. I don't care what they have in them, baking in the sun is not good.

[CORattler]

I always use them while the unit is in storage - White covers only.

[Jdrobone]

I don't see the point. I'm told you need to replace the tires every 6 years or so, regardless of mileage. I'm also told that it takes about that same time for UV damage to start to show up, so . . .

[kdeiss]

quote:Originally posted by Jdrobone

I don't see the point. I'm told you need to replace the tires every 6 years or so, regardless of mileage. I'm also told that it takes about that same time for UV damage to start to show up, so . . .

I do use them but I agree with Jerry I have had dry rot in 4 Years Our fiver sits in a perminant sight alot

[pbahlin]

Depends on how you use your rig. We full time so our slides are always out and our tires are always in the shade anyway. Plus, if you put a lot of miles on the tires you'll wear them out before the sun has a chance to kill them. If you don't do a lot of miles than UV may be the dominant problem.

For us they don't make sense. For others.......

[kingdaddy]

Thanks for the input...from an aesthetic perspective, I like the black ones (the gray/black High Country colors) but from a practical standpoint I think white would be better (not as much heat gain).
In storage, my trailer sits between two others that are pretty close so my tires are actually shaded most of the time. Thinking maybe I'll hold off for now, got a couple of other higher priority mods.

[Parts Ed]

I have the "tandem" wheel covers that I previously used on our Outback, but with the new trailer I will have to get some that actually fit!!

[kingdaddy]

Did the tandem ones not fit well? That would be the style I would get IF I decide to do it so I can still use my x-chocks between the tires.
One of those things I will put on the back burner for now...

[5 wheeling]

I use tire covers when storing the Monty... IMHO I believe they shield the UV rays from the tires. They seem to work... I just consider it cheap insurance - Makes sense that black cover would also draw more heat into the tires.

[kingdaddy]

quote:Originally posted by 5 wheeling

I use tire covers when storing the Monty... IMHO I believe they shield the UV rays from the tires. They seem to work... I just consider it cheap insurance - Makes sense that black cover would also draw more heat into the tires.

It does...wasn't sure how well insulated they were, but I suspect "not very". Fortunately, mine is stored in between two other RVs that effectively block most of the sun from the sides including tires of course.
Appreciate all the feedback!

[Parts Ed]

I am sure that the tandem ones would fit just fine, it is only that the tires on the Outback were smaller than the ones on the Montana and they don't fully cover the tire(s) and I have to use bungee cords to keep them from disappearing with the weather we have had recently. But given the fact that it is going to be nice this weekend, I will be heading out to the trailer to take some measurements of the tires.

[Trailer Trash 2]

I use them all the time, and made a set for the monty when in the storage lot.
I use 2 pieces of thin gage galvinised sheetmetal conected a continous hinge so it could fold in half, then I traced the outline of the fender wells to them, and cut to fit the fender guards fo they lock in under them. to install you must angle the cutouts under and then slide the bottom to the tires.
after that I used a spray on contact cement on the metal amd then on the reflective instulation to reduce heat from the sun, let dry and stuck the two together and cut off the excess. pictures below to give you a idea of what I am talking about. it works great for me for the last 2 years and still stuck to the metal.


http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...eelcovers1.jpg


http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...eelcovers2.jpg

[kingdaddy]

Wow...those are some serious tire covers! Nice job.