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Old 07-27-2016, 05:02 PM   #1
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Tire care

Hi,

I bought this bus two months ago, and drover her to a lot and parked.
I start it about twice a week and let it run for a few minutes.

I have rocked it back and forth but not actually moved it.
What experience have you had with sitting tires and what time frame is of concern?

i will eat this popcorn as i await replies lol

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Old 07-27-2016, 05:13 PM   #2
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It takes a half hour for these things to even start to warm up to running temps. Be careful running it infrequently for short durations.

The tires will be fine. They'll age out long before they have any problems, usually.
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Old 07-27-2016, 06:33 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
It takes a half hour for these things to even start to warm up to running temps. Be careful running it infrequently for short durations.

The tires will be fine. They'll age out long before they have any problems, usually.
Thanks

Now i have a gas big block chevy motor, should i run it longer as well?
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Old 07-27-2016, 06:46 PM   #4
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Thanks

Now i have a gas big block chevy motor, should i run it longer as well?
LOL my bad. I forget about those even though my first try at owning a bus was a gasser.
I'd say still run it for 15-20 mins. Let all the juices warm up and flow around a while.
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Old 07-27-2016, 08:33 PM   #5
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OK thanks for the tip. I read these 366 bbc have 3 compression rings on the pistons. I read some neat stuff about this motor and since i know the v8 motor and it is familiar to my mind, it feels comfy cozy.
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Old 07-27-2016, 08:56 PM   #6
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As ECCB says the tires will probably be OK. You should check the production for each tire via the DOT info on the sidewall. If the tires are at or approaching 7 years old, shifting the weight on them becomes more and more important to avoid sidewall cracking which leads to cord rotting.

The tires on my bus had at least 90% of their original tread when I bought the bus but were 5 years old. Though I knew better, I'd hoped I'd be able to use the tires even after the 3 years it took to complete the conversion. That was not to be. Even being stored inside, after 18 months of sitting in one place, the side walls developed cracks that visibly reached the cords thereby making the tires unsafe. Hedge your bets by shifting the load on your tires every 30 days or so and be sure to keep them properly inflated and shielded from the sun. Even then, after the tires reach the industry standard of 7 years, you probably should replace them. Bitter pill I know. Jack
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Old 07-27-2016, 09:01 PM   #7
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I have two tires that are totally unsafe. I don't take em on the road much anymore till I've got the money to replace em.
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Old 07-27-2016, 09:39 PM   #8
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Protect tires from the sun? is this why a lot of motorhomes have thingys covering the tires?
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Old 07-27-2016, 09:52 PM   #9
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Protect tires from the sun? is this why a lot of motorhomes have thingys covering the tires?
Yup! UV radiation is one of the largest damage to tires.
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Old 07-27-2016, 10:14 PM   #10
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Wow glad to learn this. If i park longer than a few days i shall fashion some wheel covers (most likely harbor freight tarps)
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Old 07-27-2016, 11:36 PM   #11
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I had 7+ year old tires on my last bus that I had down to about 30% tread left when I parked it in the Mohave desert for a year then went out on the road again.

It took me about 200 miles to blow 2 inside duals. I limped into the nearest truck tire shop and spent $2k+ on six new Yokohama's.

I completed the trip putting about 1800 miles on the tires. I then parked the bus in the desert. I drove it about 20 miles once a month to try and keep it in shape. After about 4 years the tires were SHOT. Less than 4000 miles on them and the sidewalls had cracks that I could stick a penny in and it would stay.

IMHO: Don't store your bus at the gates of Hell (Bullhead Arizona) and keep your tires covered when stored. Most of all... Drive it!
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Old 07-28-2016, 02:02 AM   #12
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Giving the vehicle a good detail before parking it for any extended length of time helP's too.

Little bit of tyre black puts something sacrificial on the want to keep rubber.
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Old 07-28-2016, 11:53 AM   #13
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Tire covers are great, but you should also use a good tire/rubber protectant. I use "Ice 2" . Just spray it on a clean dry tire and walk away. Don't use Bleach White to clean tires. That stuff dries the oils out of rubber.
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Old 07-28-2016, 12:30 PM   #14
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you can use UV protectant on tires too... i have used 303 aerospace protectant on tires for classic cars parked outside.. it will last through a few rains if you arent driving the bus... im not sure if any of the longer-lasting tire specific products do UV protection or not...

-Christopher
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