Tire Storage

[freddyprinze]

I live in a condo and I have limited space. I am thinking of storing my summer tires (on chrome rims) on my balcony. I would prefer to lie them flat, stacked on their side, possible in 2 stacks of 2.

I checked some "balcony boxes" and plastic benches with storage underneath at both Canadian Tire and Home Depot and none of them have a depth that can fit my 26.5" diameter tires on their sides.

I would prefer to have some kind of "box" or stand that covers the tires and rims from the elements. Does anyone have any ideas? I don't want to store them at a tire retailer (some offer this service).

Thanks in advance. :)

[ES_Revenge]

Stacking tyres on their sidewalls for prolonged periods is not recommended. They should be stored so their weight is resting on the surface of the tyre, or (since this is not practical as they can roll) at an angle standing upright (so they can't roll).

Storing them on the sidewall can weaken/stress the sidewall causing tyre failure in the future.

[SoNgMaN]

http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=140847439 6672506&bmUID=1190596871799&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524443283745&assortment=primary&fromSearch=true

I have one, it's $40 usually can be found on sale for $20.

it comes with a cover but mine blew away over the winter. but my dealership wraps my tires in plastic anyway so it wasn't really needed. holds the tires on a plastic piece so they aren't resting on the side walls.

[IoannI]

I have agree with the tire stand found at Canadian Tire ( http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/pr...romSearch=true )as well as get those tire bags and put them in those as well since they would be left outside

[lumlum1013]

i'm also waitin 'for the CT stands to go on sale again....

but you shouldn't store SUMMER tires outside.....
freezing temperature will actually do harm to the summer tires' compound....
find a good friend, and have your tires stored in his basment instead...

[freddyprinze]

Stacking tyres on their sidewalls for prolonged periods is not recommended. They should be stored so their weight is resting on the surface of the tyre, or (since this is not practical as they can roll) at an angle standing upright (so they can't roll).

Storing them on the sidewall can weaken/stress the sidewall causing tyre failure in the future.

Thanks. I've heard differently and that storing them upright will cause them to flatten at the bottom and cup...I don't necessarily believe this as they are still inflated on the rims without any weight from the car.



i'm also waitin 'for the CT stands to go on sale again....

but you shouldn't store SUMMER tires outside.....
freezing temperature will actually do harm to the summer tires' compound....
find a good friend, and have your tires stored in his basment instead...

Sorry, I shouldn't have said summer tires. They are actually all season tires. I didn't think that cold temps would have any effect on tires. I hope not as I really like the tire rack at Canadian Tire shown above. :)

[ssainani]

i'm just happy you don't live in my condo :o

maybe you should consider renting a locker or something so you don't get an angry letter from management about using your balcony to store tires?

[actng]

your condo didn't come with a locker?
cheap developer! ...or buyer!

[ES_Revenge]

Thanks. I've heard differently and that storing them upright will cause them to flatten at the bottom and cup...I don't necessarily believe this as they are still inflated on the rims without any weight from the car.
Yeah exactly. That can happen if you leave them on the car and the car sitting there, but very unlikely to happen if they are just resting ont their own weight.


Sorry, I shouldn't have said summer tires. They are actually all season tires. I didn't think that cold temps would have any effect on tires. I hope not as I really like the tire rack at Canadian Tire shown above. :)
It doesn't really have any affect on them other than them not having as much grip in the cold. Leaving them in the cold should not cause any permanent damage (unless the tyres are already old and the compound is on it's way out, but that's what the warranty is for).

[freddyprinze]

i'm just happy you don't live in my condo :o

maybe you should consider renting a locker or something so you don't get an angry letter from management about using your balcony to store tires?

According to the rules, it's not allowed. When I bought my place, all the lockers were sold out. It's quite unfair as some units have 2 lockers...

I was renting a locker but the owner of the locker needs it for next year and there are none available for rent as of now.

In any case, the balcony is my plan and I hope to find a way to cover them so they do not look ugly or like a stack of tires (if I can find a way)! :)

[cipher]

From Tire Rack...

Since heat and exposure to the elements are the primary factors that influence a tire's aging process, drivers can prolong their tire's life by minimizing their impact. Here are some tips for storing tires that will not be used continuously.

• Don't store a vehicle with weight on its tires for extended periods of time. Long-term inactivity is more harmful to tires than short weekly drives that flex the tires and help maintain oil dispersion within the rubber compounds.
• DO NOT APPLY ANY TIRE DRESSINGS. Tire compounds are formulated to resist ozone cracking or weather checking.
• Keep the tires out of direct sunlight. The sun's ultraviolet rays and radiant heat are detrimental to rubber. We have used a pyrometer to measure tires that were simply sitting in direct sunlight on a parked vehicle. Surprisingly those tires' temperatures were 135° Fahrenheit on their surface.
• Place each tire in its own large, opaque, airtight plastic bag (such as lawn and garden bags) for storing. Avoid allowing any moisture and remove as much air as practical (some drivers even use a vacuum cleaner to draw out as much as possible). Close the bag tightly and tape it shut. This places the tire in its own personal mini-atmosphere to help reduce oil evaporation.
• If you choose not to store white letter or white stripe tires in plastic bags, it is important they be stored or stacked "white-to-white" and "black-to-black" to prevent staining the white rubber. The black rubbers used on the inside and outside sidewalls of white letter and white stripe tires are compounded differently. The black sidewall uses standard rubber, while the tire's "white" side uses a top layer of non-staining black rubber over the white to prevent oils in the tire from migrating into the exposed white rubber and discoloring it. Stacking all tires "white sidewall up" will allow the oils from the black sidewall to migrate into the white rubber.
• Place the tires in a cool, dry location. It is better to place tires in a dry basement than outdoors or in a hot garage or attic. The basement temperatures will tend to remain cooler and more stable, while outdoor, garage and attic temperatures will often become hot and face daily fluctuations in temperature.
• Keep the tires away from sources of ozone. Electric motors that use contact brushes generate ozone. Keep your tires away from the furnace, sump pump, etc.


While tires will age somewhat regardless of what precautions are taken, these procedures will help slow the process compared to not doing anything.

From Michelin...


"Tires contain waxes and emollients to protect their outer surfaces from ozone and weather checking. As the tire rolls and flexes, the waxes and emollients continually migrate to the surface, replenishing this protection throughout the normal use of the tire. Consequently, when tires sit outdoors, unused for long periods of time (a month or more) their surfaces become dry and more susceptible to ozone and weather checking, and the casing becomes susceptible to flat spotting. For this reason tires should always be stored in a cool, dry, clean, indoor environment. If storage is for one month or more, eliminate the weight from the tires by raising the vehicle or by removing the tires from the vehicle. Failure to store the tires in accordance with these instructions could result in premature aging of the tires and sudden tire failure.

When tires are stored, be sure they are placed away from sources of heat and ozone such as hot pipes and electric generators. Be sure that surfaces on which tires are stored are clean and free from grease, gasoline or other substances which could deteriorate the rubber. (Tires exposed to these materials during storage or driving could be subject to sudden failure.)"

[freddyprinze]

From Tire Rack...


From Michelin...

Thanks. That's really helpful info. I plan on wrapping the tires in plastic bags that are as airtight as I can get them, but still outdoors on the balcony.

[maniacshopper]

so sad. Condo with no locker. What's next no parking spot?