Lifting tires for the winter?

[JeffJohnston]

Hi all

Looking for a little guidance. I have a 25ft TT with dual axles (bullet 220rbi). Should I lift the tires off the ground and put the axles on jack stands for the winter? I live in Southern NJ if that matters.

Thanks!

Jeff

[RollaMo]

I have never done that.
So many old wives tales about this kind of stuff though.

Some will swear by it, and others will say no issues in 30 years.

I think you could "maybe" cause more damage lifting tires off the ground, and if you just left it alone.

[wiredgeorge]

When I was a volunteer firefighter over 10 years ago (retired now) and we had to take out one of the seldom used deuce and a half brush trucks, the tires would tend to get flat spots but these evened out after a mile or two. Until they did, the truck went clumpity clumpity and you could feel the flat spots. I think this type of thing has led some to believe it is needed on an RV which has MUCH smaller tires. I never jack my camper up for an off season. If it makes you feel better, knock yourself out. We have tire experts on this site who may have a more educated opinion.

[JRTJH]

Way back when.... FYI, that was when I was in grade school, tires were cotton/rayon/polyester bias ply. Lifting them off the ground helped prevent damaging flat spots (that wouldn't roll out when the tire got hot) and leaving them on the ground allowed the moisture in the ground to hasten the damage caused by "rotting cotton/rayon/polyester cords"....

In short, today's steel belted, radial ply tires are built with "much improved materials" and are not prone to the damage caused by sitting on the ground. Neither the "flat spots or the rotting cotton cords" are a storage issue with today's ST tires.....

So, no, there's no need to "protect your tires from storage conditions"...

Then, to address your "and put the axles on jack stands" comment will likely cause a panic attack with some members.... You see, every 6 months or so, we get the "paranoia associated with jacking trailers using the axle U-bolt plates vs the "dexter says to jack by the trailer frame only" discussion..... So, putting jack stands under your axles will likely bring those commenters out to "chastise storing the trailer using anything to support the axles"....

Personally, I'd park your trailer on a well drained gravel area or back the trailer onto boards/plywood pads to keep the tires off the wet ground, air them to the maximum sidewall pressure, cover them to prevent UV deterioration and call it a day.

[cougar23]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Way back when.... FYI, that was when I was in grade school, tires were cotton/rayon/polyester bias ply. Lifting them off the ground helped prevent damaging flat spots (that wouldn't roll out when the tire got hot) and leaving them on the ground allowed the moisture in the ground to hasten the damage caused by "rotting cotton/rayon/polyester cords"....

In short, today's steel belted, radial ply tires are built with "much improved materials" and are not prone to the damage caused by sitting on the ground. Neither the "flat spots or the rotting cotton cords" are a storage issue with today's ST tires.....

So, no, there's no need to "protect your tires from storage conditions"...

Then, to address your "and put the axles on jack stands" comment will likely cause a panic attack with some members.... You see, every 6 months or so, we get the "paranoia associated with jacking trailers using the axle U-bolt plates vs the "dexter says to jack by the trailer frame only" discussion..... So, putting jack stands under your axles will likely bring those commenters out to "chastise storing the trailer using anything to support the axles"....

Personally, I'd park your trailer on a well drained gravel area or back the trailer onto boards/plywood pads to keep the tires off the wet ground, air them to the maximum sidewall pressure, cover them to prevent UV deterioration and call it a day.

What John said!

[JeffJohnston]

Thanks all! The info is MUCH appreciated!!!

Jeff