Any tips or tricks on how to prevent tire rot? The jeep has been sitting since last december with the tires mounted on, a few months after that I realized it might be a bit before she gets back on the road and put the truck on jack stands to keep from flat spotting the tires. Now my dad clued me in that the tires are starting to show lite signs of cracking near where the tire meets the rim. Is there any thing I can do to prevent this? There so "new" they still have the nipples on them and blue on the white walls. Thanks to a recent job change I will be able to start getting it ready to be back on the road but still won't be until summer before I can sell my car and get it back. Thanks for any and all help on this and will do any thing I can ASAP as not to lose them.

Brandon

 

No place to fool around, cracks in the tires. Keep them out of the sun, and have the shop check it if there is any question. Just my .02!

 

If you can the best way to keep tire from rotting other then then keeping them covered up. Take them off put them in a garbage bag and cover them in baby powder. When I was restoring my 65 Chevy P/U I did this and they stood in my shed for almost 4 years. When I put them back on they were like brand new. I got this from a old time tire guy many years ago. Every time I have a tire that I am storing I do this and it has never failed me. If you don't want to go to that for to remove just keep them covered up. You can pick up those tire covers that they sale for RV's.

 

Why baby powder? I asked some other folks and they said keep the tires inflated to spec and coved up maybe some sort of uv protection on them but not baby powder? Sounds nice, thanks for the information

Brandon

 

Best way to keep them from dry rotting is use them.

Hairline cracks around the bead/rim area is not unusual. Some of the cheaper department store tires do this quite rapidly as they are made to a lesser spec than better tire store tires.

Put garbage bags around them and tie at the bottom. Leave them aired up and on the Jeep since they are off the ground already. No need to buy RV covers for them, just use the lawn & leaf bags you can find anywhere and you'll be fine.

 

Yep.
This is an ongoing problem with motorhome tires. They normally die of old age and not tread wear because they sit unused much of the time. I toss them at 7 years despite still having 3/4 of the tread intact. Sitting unused shortens their lifespan.

Tires have oils and conditioners impregnated in the rubber to keep them from drying out and cracking. Driving on the tire helps distribute those conditioners and refresh the outer layers of rubber. Keeping them away from heat and out of the sun helps as well. Ozone is another big killer.
Most 'tire conditioners' and dressings actually make the problem worse, as does washing them. Removes the oils that keep the rubber from drying and cracking.
One exception is 303 Aerospace protectant. It does help, although can be tough to find. This stuff:

I'd soak them down with that and bag them airtight and away from heat.

 

Someone at a inspection place told me that foaming tire shine stuff also helps prevent dry rott

 

For sure stay away from anything that has any petroleum solvents in it. Especially Armour-All.

A silicone compound would be best. But what about the backside? And don't get it on the brakes!

 

Thanks guys I went out and got some bags to cover them up just wish I knew what that baby powder was for? Any ways thanks again! Also these were not cheepo tires there Cooper stt discovers :-/

Brandon

 

That's where the baby powder goes.


Oh wait...you meant the tires, lol.

 

I really don't know how it works. All I know is that I have never had a tire rot when I stored them like that.

 

yeah they get plenty of money for those.

 

Just remembered. I've heard of guys putting helium in their trailer tires to prevent oxidization. No clue myself, except that would indeed spare the inside from oxygen. Myself I might not worry about a year or two so long as they are out of the sun. Moving it now and then or having them off the ground no doubt is a good idea. I recently saw one that is mostly OK, little "flat spot". Had sat inflated holding a Dodge camper van since 96. Just sayen'...they do seem to hold up pretty well.

 

Tires don't rot from the inside.

 

Thank you vey much for all of the very helpful information guys! I tried to cover them up with trash bags yesterday but need some bigger ones

Brandon