how do you keep rv tires from dry rotting

6 Tips to Prevent Your RV Tires from Dry Rot

• 1. UV Exposure Quickens the Dry Rotting Process UV exposure will quicken the dry rotting process in your RV tires. ...
• 2. Consistent Temperatures Prevent RV Tires from Dry Rotting ...
• 3. Proper Inflation Avoids Dry Rot on RV Tires ...
• 4. Extended Storage Causes RV Tires to Dry Rot ...
• 5. Avoid Excessive Weight on Your RV Tires ...
• 6. Keep Your RV Tires Clean to Prevent Dry Rot

Full Answer

What is the best way to keep tires from dry rotting?

How to Prevent Dry Rot in Stored TiresKeep tires out of direct sunlight while in storage. ... Ensure that your tires are clean and dry before they go into storage. ... Try to store your tires at a constant temperature. ... Remove tires from your car if you are storing it for more than three months. ... Store loose tires in airtight bags.More items...

What causes RV tires to dry rot?

The biggest contributor to dry rotting in tires is direct sunlight. UV strips away some of the resins in tires that hold in their moisture. Keeping your RV indoors and out of direct sunlight (UVA rays can pass through windows) should go a long way to slowing down the deterioration of tires.

How do I protect my trailer tires when not in use?

One method to avoid the heat and delay the occurrence of dry rot is to jack up your trailer tires when they are not in use to keep them from the ground. An alternative message is to position your wheels on thin plywood boards so the tires don't have direct contact with the hot ground.

What protects rubber tires from dry rotting?

Ozone and ultraviolet (UV) light are the primary environmental causes of tire dry rot. Tire manufacturers blend chemical ingredients into the tire during the manufacturing process in an effort to combat dry rot caused by ozone and UV exposure. Carbon black is added to the rubber to protect the tires from UV light.

Can tire dry rot be stopped?

Because dry rot cannot be repaired, it's important to reduce your tires' risk of developing cracks. The first step to preventing dry rot is to invest in new, high-quality tires each time you replace older tires. These tires are less likely to develop premature dry rot.

Does tire dressing prevent dry rot?

Putting a dressing on your tires can protect the tires from UV rays which is one of the main causes of tire dry rot.

How long can RV tires sit?

You should consider jacking up your RV when it'll be in storage for more than three months. RV tires are not meant to be sitting in one place for months at a time. The longer your RV is immobile, the more important it is to take most of the weight off the tires.

Why do people put wood under tires?

The wood acts as a barrier between the tires and the ground surface they are being stored on. The proper storage steps would be to clean the tires, cover them to protect them from harmful sunlight and UV rays and inflate them to the pressure indicated on the sidewall of the tires.

Why do people cover their tires on RVS?

RV tire covers like these will help protect your RV tires from sun damage. Over time, UV light can cause fine cracks in the sidewall, leading to slow leaks or even tire failure. Tire covers also keep out moisture from rain or snow, and they'll keep rust and dirt from collecting in the wheels and rims.

What to put on tires to preserve them?

303 Protectant is a water-based application used to dress rubber, plastics, vinyl and treated leather. The surface treatment lays down a thin, flexible shield that has tire UV protection. Uses for the 303 Automotive ProtectantOpens a new window are endless.

How do you stop rubber from deteriorating?

The higher the temperature, the faster the rate of deterioration. Cooler conditions, therefore, promote longevity. Avoid hot lights, proximity to any heat source, or any storage or display practice that heats objects. Ideally, rubber and plastic objects should be stored in cold, dark, dry, and oxygen-free conditions.

What to put on rubber to preserve it?

Nextzett Rubber Care Stick Gummi Pflege is a water-based preserver for rubber used on tools, seals, and shoes. WD-40 Silicone spray can work to help restore the softness of all different types of rubber seals. ArmorAll is a go-to for rubber seals in cars that are prone to drying out and cracking.

How long does it take for dry rot to develop in tires?

Tires can dry rot in as little as two years. When taken care of properly, most tires have a six-year lifetime with a maximum of ten years. Dry rotting typically happens when tires are in direct sunlight or stored wet environment.

How long will tires with dry rot last?

How long does a tire dry rot last? Typically, a tire dry rot can last 6 years. If you are lucky enough, the time will be 7 or10 years. Being aware of the tire life helps you do the maintenance regularly and the time to replace new tires.

What causes rubber to dry rot?

Lack of use, exposure to extremely high or low temperatures, or prolonged exposure to UV radiation can all cause rubber's molecular chains to break down over time — and time itself is a factor, too. Rubber is one polymer that just doesn't last forever, and its descent into decay begins the moment it's manufactured.

How do you tell if camper tires are dry rotted?

Cracks will appear on the sidewalls where the tires are the thinnest. When looking at your RV tires pay special attention to the sidewalls where the majority of the dry rotting occurs. Many times you will notice cracks on the tires which indicates the tire has been affected and will need to be replaced.

How to store RV tires?

Park your RV in the shade. Store tires on a shelf in a storage building instead of sitting in a stack on the driveway. Consider storing RV tires in an outbuilding instead of stacking them in your garage where they could be exposed to the exhaust from your vehicle.

How to Protect RV Tires from Cracking?

Below, we're going to share some experienced tips and tricks for "how to to prevent dry rot on RV or trailer tires ". Here, we talked about tires prevention, preseravation, and protection. Hope- you'll enjoy our explaining style_

What happens if your tires crack?

When tires crack in one spot, that is an obvious weak point, but you may be able to drive with the tires to your next stop. If the tire cracks are evenly distributed around the tire, it is a failure waiting to happen – replace the tires immediately. 03. Protect Your Tires from Premature Aging.

What is it called when a tire is cracked?

Cracking in tires is often called dry rot or sidewall cracking . A small crack can open up in the tire and cause it blowout. It can even cause a tire to rip open. This makes dry rot dangerous.

Why do you need to maintain the correct tire pressure in your RV tires?

You need to maintain the correct tire pressure in your RV tires to minimize the formation of cracks. Under-inflated tires are under a lot of stress. The sidewalls could be damaged if you drive too long on underinflated tires, and the wear and tear will increase the odds of failure.

How to protect yourself from dry rot?

One way to protect yourself from dry rot is to replace old tires with new tires. If you buy used tires, even tires that have hardly been driven on will have experienced the gradual weakening of the material due to the passage of time. Every tire is at the end of its life by ten years of age.

How long does a tire last after cracking?

Know that if you see cracking, the tire’s life is already shortened; a tire with minor, premature cracking will at best last five years.

How To Prevent Dry Rot In RV Tires

Dry rot in RV tires can be a nasty complication that can delay your trip in your RV or potentially make the trip a disastrous one. Dry rot is a problem that creeps upon you, and as luck would have it, you generally only notice it when you are busy packing your bags into the vehicle to head out on a trip!

How To Identify Dry Rot In RV Tires

Dry rot in tires is sometimes referred to as sidewall cracking, but this can mislead people into thinking that it only occurs on the tire’s sidewall.

What Are The Effects Of Dry Rot In Tires?

Dry rot in tires can be a major safety issue, especially in an RV. This is because dry rot weakens the rubber in the tire, and the additional weight of the vehicle makes it more likely that the tire will fail if it has sustained damage from dry rot.

Conclusion

Dry rot is a common problem on RV tires because of how the vehicles are stores and the general low usage that these vehicles see throughout the year.

What do You need To Know About Dry Rot?

Dry rotting is something that you can easily prevent and save money on replacing the trailer tires every time you take it out for a trip. For better prevention, it is imperative to know the characteristics of dry rotting.

Supplies Required to Keep the Trailer from Dry Rotting

There is no exclusive kit or set of equipment required to prevent dry rotting. But yes, there is some sort of equipment required depending on the prevention method you opt for. Having said that, here are a few things that you will always require.

How To Keep Trailer Tires from Dry Rotting

Preventing the trailer tires from dry rotting isn’t a one-time thing or a process. To protect your tires, you need to adopt some measures and use the right materials to support the methods. So, here are the things you need to do.

Frequently Asked Questions

The question is not about how far, but how much you are at risk of a blowout when driving with dilapidated tires. So, it is best that if you see the signs of dry rotting, check for its impact and then replace them before taking the trailer out on a long trip.

What to do if your tires are dried out?

If you see visible signs that tires are dried out, it's time to get a new set. There’s no way (oils, lubricants, prayer, or other) to renew a tire’s life.

What does it mean when tires are dry rotting?

If you suspect that your tires are cracking and dry rotting…. Recognize that cracking and dry rotting are signs of overall tire tread deterioration. This visible tread deterioration is a clear indication that the crucial tread compound and resins, which contribute in a fundamental way to proper road surface interaction, are no longer effective.

How long will tires last before dry rotting and cracking?

We wish we could tell you that a certain amount of tire life is guaranteed, but that simply isn't the case.

Why are tires stationary?

Somewhat counter-intuitively, keeping tires stationary, especially parked (with full vehicle load) in one position accelerates the aging and drying out process. Tires are engineered to be used, with the tire compound resins responding as intended to movement and activity, and actually working to protect the rubber.

What are the factors that affect tire wear?

UV exposure and oxygen are major degradation factors. Try to avoid exposing your tires to direct sunlight, or keeping them outdoors in any conditions (dry or wet) for extended periods of time. UV exposure and oxygen are major degradation factors.

Do tires wear out?

You might think of your tires as fixed, unchanging vehicle components, but they’re actually some of the more “alive” elements of your vehicle. Tire tread is always wearing and evolving as the miles accumulate, but the tire tread compound also changes according to season, temperature, and road conditions. Additionally, the relationship between the tire tread and road surface is far more complex, and much more of an ongoing interaction, than you might initially think.

Does cleaning tires make them look good?

They may make your tires look good, but some tire cleaning products can actually speed up the degradation process, and shorten the lifespan of your tires. When it comes to cleaning tires, we recommend you follow this advice from our friends at Michelin:

What to do after cleaning tires?

After cleaning your tires, apply a few drops of tire dressing to protect them from ultraviolet rays, which are a common cause of dry rot. You should also make sure your tires are properly inflated, which will prevent them from blowing out if there is any dry rot on them.

How to clean a tire after cleaning?

After cleaning your tires, apply a few drops of water-based tire dressing to a cloth or sponge, then cover the surface of the tires with the dressing. Wait 5-10 minutes before driving, since the dressing needs time to stick to your wheels.

What is tire dressing?

Tire dressing shields your tires from UV rays, one of the main causes of dry rot.

How to clean tires without stripping?

Soap and water will clean your tires without stripping away valuable antioxidants that protect your tires. Apply a tire dressing once a month. After cleaning your tires, apply a few drops of water-based tire dressing to a cloth or sponge, then cover the surface of the tires with the dressing.

Why does my tire rot?

A few of the main causes of dry rot are low tire pressure , not moving the vehicle enough, ozone, and high temperatures . Whatever the cause may be, you can make sure dry rot ...

Why do tires need to flex?

Tires need to flex their rubber in order to let the protective antioxidants make their way to the surface of your tires.

What happens if you don't put enough pressure on your tires?

Check the air pressure in your tires every time you gas up. If your tires don’t have enough pressure, dry rot will be all the more dangerous , and could lead to a blowout.