Storage & Tires

[Steve-Gwenne]

We have volunteered to provide day care for our 18 month old granddaughter and soon to arrive little sister. We anticipate taking care of the girls until mid-2027. 

So, our camper is parked in our driveway without a cover. We keep a close eye on the camper inside and outside. However, we are wondering if there is anything we should do about the tires. We have the original tires with about 31k miles on them. 

Thank you for all and any advice.

Steve & Gwenne

[topgun2]

Since those tires are (at least) 7 years old right now, assuming that what you are saying is that you will not be taking virtually any trips with the Ollie over the next two years, I wouldn't do anything other than think about what tire and where you are going to purchase them when you do plan on getting back on the road.

The "normal" guideline for tires is to replace them somewhere between 5 and 10 years (with 7 years being the average) regardless of the number of miles.

Congradets on the upcoming new addition to the family.  Sounds like you will have your hands full with a face full of smiles.

Bill

[Patriot]

17 hours ago, Steve-Gwenne said:

So, our camper is parked in our driveway without a cover.

I would highly recommend if you don’t plan on using your Oliver for an extended time period to consider covering it. The UV and general pollution can take its toll on your gelcoat. 

I agree with @topgun2 with regard to replacing your tires. Congrats on the “littles” aka “grands”. 

Edited January 26 by Patriot

[Geronimo John]

If you have Michelins as several of us do, they are well capable of lasting to the long end of TopGun's range.  That means covered as Patriot suggests.  If you choose to cover, keep in mind that your trailer is not as tall or wide as most covers are made for.  I unknowingly purchased an Adco cover and it was two sizes too large.  If you have an OE2, the "box" of the trailer is only 18' X 7' and the height of the box is just over 7'.  

Shop around and you'll find the "Custom Oliver" trailer covers are quite $$$$.  Nice, but expensive for sure.  

Considering Grand Kiddo's:  If I had known they were SO much fun, I would of had them first!    Enjoy them!

GJ

[dewdev]

In regads to the tires, at a minimum (if you are down south) I would buy covers for the tires so they do not see the UV light.

With the fiberglass body, keep it clean and waxed unless you plan to buy a cover.

[Geronimo John]

3 hours ago, dewdev said:

With the fiberglass body, keep it clean and waxed unless you plan to buy a cover

Even the best wax will not totally stop oxidation.  Some almost don't even slow it down a lot.  

I believe that any Ollie parked outside needs to be well detailed, waxed AND covered for good protection.  

Then there is the ceramic route, and that's both out of my wheel house and pocket book size too.  

19 hours ago, Steve-Gwenne said:

We anticipate taking care of the girls until mid-2027. 

Steve:  For your two year+ sun soaked baking of your Ollie.  In order of likely cost, least to most expensive:

• Cover it. If you go this route PM me.
• Find barn space for rent and cover it.  (This is what I do)
• Find a commercial overhead cover storage facility and also cover it.
• Do nothing.  Then plan on spending $$$ for ceramic.  And then plan on having it renewed every few years.  Likely only $$, but not in my wheel house.
• Do nothing.  Then plan on spending $$$$ for OTT to restore it.
• Build a storage out-building or Man Cave like MaxBurner and others have!  (My dream solution)

Good discussions for sure as many Owners struggle with this very issue.  

GJ

  

Edited January 26 by Geronimo John

[Rivernerd]

20 hours ago, topgun2 said:

The "normal" guideline for tires is to replace them somewhere between 5 and 10 years (with 7 years being the average) regardless of the number of miles.

This guideline presumes regular exposure to UV light.  Tires protected from UV light last much longer.  So, I second the recommendation to invest in tire covers.

Another consideration when storing any vehicle with tires that long is development of flat spots.  Even just storing our Elite II for the winter months, I take most of the weight off the tires with the three electric jacks, for that reason.

[Geronimo John]

23 hours ago, Rivernerd said:

Tires protected from UV light last much longer

I hope so as I'm a long way from 70,000 miles that I got on my last set of Michelin Defenders.  

 

23 hours ago, Rivernerd said:

Another consideration when storing any vehicle with tires that long is development of flat spots. 

My tire guy at Discount Tire said that this is a old myth from the old tire days.  Modern radial tires are much less  MORE resistant to flat spots.  Just run them slow for a few miles after storage and they even out. Going on seven years and 42,000 Ollie Miles without any tire issues.  But I do give them a good look over every year and they only see daylight 3 - 4 months a year.  But they are stored in a barn the rest of the time covered.

GJ

Edited January 27 by Geronimo John
thanks for the OOPS find Rivernerd!

[Rivernerd]

9 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

Modern radial tires are much less resistant to flat spots

Good to know.  Did you mean that modern radial tires are much MORE resistant to flat spots than older bias-ply tires?

[jd1923]

18 hours ago, Rivernerd said:

Another consideration when storing any vehicle with tires that long is development of flat spots.  Even just storing our Elite II for the winter months, I take most of the weight off the tires with the three electric jacks, for that reason.

Every month or two, you could just use the jacks to lift the trailer, spin the tires and change where the trailer is sitting on each tire. Then put the tires back on the ground, jacks just keeping it stable.

[Geronimo John]

3 hours ago, jd1923 said:

Every month or two, you could just use the jacks to lift the trailer, spin the tires and change where the trailer is sitting on each tire. Then put the tires back on the ground, jacks just keeping it stable.

The 4,000 miles round trip to do so would get to be expensive and "Tireing" .  LOL

GJ

[Geronimo John]

4 hours ago, Rivernerd said:

Did you mean that modern radial tires are much MORE resistant to flat spots than older bias-ply tires?

Yes. Better said!  Thanks

gj

[jd1923]

1 hour ago, Geronimo John said:

The 4,000 miles round trip to do so would get to be expensive and "Tireing" .  LOL

GJ

Took me a minute, GJ! Yes, this only works for those who live nearby and check into their Olivers occasionally. 🤣 Flat spots are not that important on a trailer anyway. You can't notice them when towing and they will smooth out after some miles down the road. May slightly affect the life of tow tires when stored more often than used.

The cars/trucks I have in storage get pulled out and moved around every so often (1-3 months). When I used to store for >9 months, I would store on jack stands (along with battery grounds disconnected and Ethanol Shield in the tanks). No real worries re the Oliver over annual winter storage. 

[SeaDawg]

Y

@Steve-Gwenne, you will enjoy a very special relationship with the grandchildren. I know I do. My little grandson is my little buddy. I have the joy of spending 4 days a week, sometimes 5, watching him grow and learn, and play with me. I count myself lucky to be able to experience these days. I'm sure you feel the same.

My daughter spent her days with my parents until she was three, and still has so many wonderful memories of those days.

Who knows, you may even find that the grandkids  enjoy the Ollie as a playhouse, and an early introduction to camping, even if it's just in the driveway, and daytime. (Our daughter loved camping in the boat, as a little girl. ) All the rounded corners, and  stovetop closed away, make the Ollie ideal for Littles, with a bit of thought in childproofing outlets, bath door, etc. , imo. 

If you're not going to camp other than maybe local for the next 18 months, I would definitely not change out the tires now. Cover them. I wouldn't worry about flat spots, as we had to worry about with bias tires and old school radials.

Depending on where you live, waxing with a good marine wax twice a year provides a lot of protection.  

 

 

Edited January 29 by SeaDawg

[Geronimo John]

On 1/26/2025 at 10:54 AM, Rivernerd said:

So, I second the recommendation to invest in tire covers.

Good thoughts as always.

PS:  Tire covers generally come free with the trailer cover.  That's why I did not mention them in my posts.

GJ