sun block for tires...

[ezbme]

Anyone have suggestions for covering their tires on their busses? I live in sunny Florida & am concerned with the sun beating on the tires that it may cause premature damage... Any suggestions of what anyone is using to block the UV?
Thanks!
Jonathan

[TygerCub]

Commercial tire covers are available at most RV stores. However, a cheaper solution may be to buy some foil-backed foam board, cut it to fit up into the wheel well, and be done with it. It won't pack as small as a fabric cover, but it will pack flat and give you the added bonus of providing a wind block for the wheel wells - which, if you block around the rest of the bus, will help save energy when air conditioning it .

[Sojakai]

There are those tire covers that you can get. I just did a google search for "Bus Tire Covers" and the very first one mentions a size cover for buses, but doesnt seem to carry them...

I have seen people use plastic, drywall, plywood, and my favorite, folding metal.

The metal one but a cutout that was just big enough to fit into the wheel well, but had arms that folded out at the bottom for better support. I think it had latches attached to it and the body of the vehicle to latch it in place on top, but I cant be sure as I only saw it once and that was several years ago. Paint it to match your bus...

I have an idea for something simular, but it would involve having a metal box mounted to an old wheel hub. When you park in one location for awhile, you take the tires off and put these on. They wont care about the sun, but they might rust.

[arfisher83]

Armor-All or a similar product works great for protecting rubber from UV deterioration.

-Adam

[josetann]

Man, you know global warming is real when we need to apply sunscreen to our tires.

I think if you're going to be constantly on the go and only staying in one place for a few days at a time, no need to worry. Few weeks/months at a time, wheel covers. If we're talking years, then I like the idea of blocking it off.

[ezbme]

I think I will put Amour All on them first...tires are just way too expensive not to take care of. My bus is parked in a place that gets sun all day, every day!

We have some left over roofing from the new metal roof on the house... Thinking I may cut it to size, just gotta decide how to keep it in place. After I posted this I remembered SeanF has covers on his bus, gotta ask what he used. I hate to buy something as there are always other options with things laying around the house that will work just as well & are, well free!
Thanks for the input so far!

Jonathan

[ezbme]

josetann:

I hear ya! "Man, you know global warming is real when we need to apply sunscreen to our tires."

[SeanF]

I use the coated fabric ones from the RV store. After 3 years, they're looking rough but still intact and doing the job.

[bus-bro]

How about making wheel covers from the seat fabric. I'm useing 1/2 sheets of treated plywood--but I saved enough back seat covers to sew something up (if I ever get around to it).