Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: tire maintenance

tire maintenance

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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15491
Printed Date: 18 Jun 2025 at 6:05pm
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Topic: tire maintenance

Posted By: Jenga Jack
Subject: tire maintenance
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2022 at 3:57pm

What's the best way to maintain tires over winter?

Our 2014 R-Pod is a 178 Hood River edition and after 5 years of use the original beefy tires have been replaced with light truck tires. During the off season the covered trailer is parked on gravel, well drained; tires do not get direct sunlight, so I have not used tire covers.

I live in southern Oregon, so no harsh winters, rarely any snow or temps below 32F.

Should the tires be kept at full pressure (50psi), less, or more?

Okay just sitting on gravel?

Raise axle slightly to reduce weight on tires, or okay as is?

Thanks for your feedback.

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2014 R-Pod 178 aka the "Kobra Pod"
following a 2015 4Runner wherever it may wander

Replies:

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2022 at 8:56pm

I am currently on my 3rd set of tires. Purchased our 177 back in January 2011. First 2 sets were "C" load range china bombs, during the winter I left them at 50psi. The Current set are Carlisle Radial Trail HD, load range "D" and are set at 60 psi. This winter they will be left at 60 psi. Tires are parked on a mostly sand surface but in an old abandoned horse barn so it is covered. This is in northern Michigan where temps can get quite frigid, especially in January where it is not uncommon to have temps below 0 F. I would say you are ok as is, I have never had any problems letting the pod sit in one spot from mid-October thru May 1 without moving it.

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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2022 at 5:35am

Our practice is to protect the tires from direct sunlight, apply a UV blocking spray periodically, and keep the tires on concrete and out of the dirt when parked. We maintain normal pressure all year. Unfortunately, it is impractical to take the tires off for the winter and store them inside, which would probably be better. We are fortunate, living in coastal CT, that we don't have a lot of very cold weather. We get some freezing, but it is rarely below 20℉. I've never had any issue with developing permanent flat spots on the tires.

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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

Posted By: gpokluda
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2022 at 9:06am

Jenga Jack, your tires will be fine over the winter. Keep them inflated to the recommended pressure and on a firm, well drained surface: concrete, asphalt, gravel etc. I would suggest you consult the load range table for your brand of LT tires. We run LT tires on our 2017 179 and the recommended pressure is 65psi. Yours may be a different size or ply so best to consult the manufacturer or a reputable tire shop that has experience with RVs. Do not over inflate them to prevent flat spots. Tire technology has greatly improved to prevent this from happening. The jury is out on covering tires. We don't but that doesn't mean you shouldn't. We pretty much wear our tires out before the side walls get oxidized. Covering them will protect the wheels and tires not doubt. For us it is more hassle than it's worth. Safe Travels.

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Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
Kawasaki KLR650