Flat Spot On Tyres?????????

[Ian_374329537]

Hi,

I am looking to go on a season pitch next season and leave the van fully set up for about 7months, I am worried about flat spotting the tyres on my van when I do this. I have thought of taking off the wheels and storing them until I need them again or would this cause a balance problem in the van. any advice would be great.

Thanks in advance. (van is a new ace award single axle)

 

[AnnM1]

Before taking off the wheels of your caravan (on a seasonal pitch) have a word with the site owner(s). This might not be practical, or acceptable. Fire regulations may not allow it.

 

[Lutz]

The easiest solution is to inflate the tyres right up to the maximum allowable pressure marked on the sidewalls. This will probably be higher than the pressure recommended for your caravan. But don't forget to reduce the pressure again to the recommended figure before you tow.

 

[JTS]

There is no way round this, if you leave your tyres on without rotating them you will get flat spots. Maximum length of time to leave your tyres without moving them is 21 days. Ann is right, most site owners would object to you removing your tyres on safety grounds. The easiest way round it is to go to to your local scrap yard and pick up a pair of cheap wheels, they do not even have to be the exact size just near enough, make sure the holes match up, if the tyres are no good then down to the local tyre agents, they may have a second hand pair to do the job or fit a cheap pair of retreads. Do not use these for towing but change them with those on your van when you get on site and take your good ones home. You could also use the cheap ones for over wintering if you do not use your van.

 

[Tankie]

I think Lutz has the most practical solution to this problem.

Removing wheels would be a no no for me as most of the weight of the van is taken by the axle, the corner steadies being just that, steadies. I suppose you could jack the van up, until the wheels are just clear of the ground and then lower it down on to axle stands!! But then you are left with the problem of stolen wheels! unles you use motorcycle chainlocks to secure them to the chassis.But you still need to consult the site owner.

21 days !!! as the maximum to leave tyres standing without rotating!!! thats a new one on me, there must be one hell of a lot of vehilces/trailers around with flatspots.

If you are realy worried about flat spots then relacing them with scrap wheels is the other answer, once you reach the site.

Tankie

 

[Angus1]

If you have a look in `Practical Classics` there is a company that make things that look like a cross between a cradle and a chock, which are designed to support the tyre over a larger part of its circumference and hence minimise any flat-spotting.

It apparently works well on classics which can be stood for months on end, no reason why it wont work on vans as well.

 

[Surfer]

Our caravan has been parked up for the past 10 months withourt moving and I towed it on Saturday no problem. Prior to that it was parked up for 11 months without any issue.

However if we decide to go back to touring probably will change the tyres.

 

[JTS]

Gordon you are right, there are a lot of caravans /trailers on the road with flat spots. Tyres are probably the most neglected aspect of caravaning. How many caravans are on the road with tyres older than 5 years and a lot of those have suffered from long periods of parking on one spot. As for 21 days and 5 years max life I am only quoting what I have read from the industry, Caravan Club mag and this magazine over the years. Its sad to say that most caravaners choose to ignore the ultimate safety aspect of tyres towards caravaning. With respect Ian, I hope you are not travelling on the same motorways as me and my family. I prctice what I preach and my van is on its winter wheels and the vans wheels are in the garage. I do not want to be drawn into a long argument on the subject, if you want to be convinced, write to the technical departments of the tyre industry.

 

[Surfer]

Gordon you are right, there are a lot of caravans /trailers on the road with flat spots. Tyres are probably the most neglected aspect of caravaning. How many caravans are on the road with tyres older than 5 years and a lot of those have suffered from long periods of parking on one spot. As for 21 days and 5 years max life I am only quoting what I have read from the industry, Caravan Club mag and this magazine over the years. Its sad to say that most caravaners choose to ignore the ultimate safety aspect of tyres towards caravaning. With respect Ian, I hope you are not travelling on the same motorways as me and my family. I prctice what I preach and my van is on its winter wheels and the vans wheels are in the garage. I do not want to be drawn into a long argument on the subject, if you want to be convinced, write to the technical departments of the tyre industry.

You owe me an apology! I said when we go touring again we will probably get the tyres changed! In the meantime pointless changing them for the caravan being moved a distance of less than 2 miles at 20mph.

 

[Morganic]

I read on this forum that modern tyres dont get flat spots. The advice I have had is to increase the tyre pressures when the caravan is stored. Now I am confused

 

[Lutz]

Whereas there is perhaps less likelihood of flatspots occuring nowadays, it is still worthwhile taking precautions to further reduce the probability, hence the advice to increase the tyre pressure. However, even if they do occur, they will soon disappear after you have towed the caravan a few miles. Other than they may cause a rumbling noise until they have been 'ironed out', the consequences should not be any more serious.

 

[kenneth_374315528]

Whereas there is perhaps less likelihood of flatspots occuring nowadays, it is still worthwhile taking precautions to further reduce the probability, hence the advice to increase the tyre pressure. However, even if they do occur, they will soon disappear after you have towed the caravan a few miles. Other than they may cause a rumbling noise until they have been 'ironed out', the consequences should not be any more serious.

Someone mentioned the maximum time to leave your tyres before rotating them was 21 days. What a lot of rubbish. There must be one hell of a lot of caravans on the road with flat spotted tyres. How long does a caravan sit in the caravan showrooms and dealers yards before being sold. Kenny

 

[alaintaylor]

Fortunately we have space to park our van at home and we use it occasionally through the winter. However, if the van stands for a few weeks without use, even in the summer, I move the van a few inches to avoid flat spotting. Seems to work.

Alan