Tires sitting awhile on vehicle - risks, checks?

[Anjou]

Is there any way to reliably check the health of tires that have been sitting on an old vehicle for a year, assuming they're still well-inflated and there's plenty of tread left? What are the risks and are they readily apparent?

 

[Hamilton Felix]

I wouldn't worry too much about one year. Usually serious weather checking takes a lot longer than that. Check inflation and take them for a drive.

 

[Synap]

Yeah..what Ham said..radials shouldn't be harmed in a year. Don't develop a 'set' as fast as the old nylon tires. It is better to move any tire with weight on it occasionally tho. Just to rotate the resting spot on the tire. Protecting from the sun's UV is important too. Regular Armeral (sp?) treatment or covered will protect 'em from sun drying.

If you're gonna leave 'em sitting longer I'd think of putting the car up on blocks at least enough to take most of the weight off the tires. I know some neighborhoods get upset to see vehicles parked/stored w/o wheels in plain view. May even be against local laws.

Prolly when you do drive 'em 1st time tho you'll feel some vibration (feels sorta as if out of balance) til they warm up.

 

[Hamilton Felix]

Good points, Synap. I recall a guy who put burlap bags over the tires of a parked rig, so the sun wouldn't get to them. And I believe owners of the big "serious" RV's sometimes use tire covers when they set up in one place for a while.

If storing a rig for some time, you could block axles -- or outboard suspension points, if it doesn't have solid axles -- up just so the tires were a fraction of an inch off the ground, then cover the tires. Even opaque plastic bags would do it.

Anjou, go ahead and drive that rig that's been sitting for a years. Let us know how it goes.