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Ring around the Spare Tire Cover

Started by sacrawf, Aug 03, 2007, 08:38 PM

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sacrawf

Despite being kept clean, our 2-year old vinyl white spare tire cover has developed a dark ring on the exterior vinyl which shadows the location of the tire within.  The spare tire is new and has never been removed from the camper. I have been unable to get the stain removed with awning cleaner, bleach, or oxy products. The interior of the spare tire coverage has no stain, it is only on the outside.  I am guessing that either natural vapors from the spare tire were able to vent through the interior fabric of the cover, or perhaps the dealer had used a tire-gloss product on the tire which caused the stain.  Although this is cosmetic only, it makes the otherwise extremely well-cared for pop-up look tacky.

I didn't find any other thread on this problem.  Does anyone else have this  problem? Is there a way to remove this stain?  Anything to place between the tire and the spare tire cover to prevent a reoccurance?  Is the only solution to buy a new spare tire cover?  Is this something I should count on replacing every two years?

Thanks,

mike4947

Well this isn't a new problem. I had the same thing happen to a light colored cover on a mid 70's PU. Something about the vinyl they use and the tire platicizers react and "stain" the cover with the tread pattern. I never found anything to "clean it" as from what I could see and find out it was an actual chemical reaction.

AustinBoston

Quote from: sacrawfThe spare tire is new and has never been removed from the camper.

I know this isn't what you asked, but you should rotate that tire into service from time to time, at least once a year.  This is especially true if it is a bias ply tire (which it probably is).

Austin

tlhdoc

If it really bothers you, you can get a black tire cover which will not show the mark.:)

sacrawf

Thanks, Austin! I routinely do a 5-tire rotation on the Hyundai every 6000 miles, but hadn't thought about rotating the trailer tires.  They are radial trailer tires. They now have 5900+ miles on them. How often should the be rotated by mileage?  

I found the black spare tire covers at Gander Mountain today for $15.  Surely the white ones would be better for the spare tire by reflecting more heat.  I guess I will just buy a new white cover every year or so; it's only between $11 and $25 depending on whether pure white or with the flags, quail, ducks, bass, eagle, whitetail, etc.

On the camping world store website, the reviews of the ones they sell are very negative, as buyers of the new covers seem to get the sane discoloration very quickly.

Quote from: AustinBostonI know this isn't what you asked, but you should rotate that tire into service from time to time, at least once a year.  This is especially true if it is a bias ply tire (which it probably is).

Austin

kampingkoge

I tossed my white cover as it did the same thing.  I keep my wheel polished and the tire coated with 303 Protectant.  I like this look, since the wheel still looks brand new.  I plan on replacing the spare tire when I replace the other 2 tires, so I don't think rotating it in will benefit me at all (please correct me if I am wrong).

AustinBoston

Quote from: sacrawfThey are radial trailer tires.

My understanding is radials are supposed to always turn in the same direction, so one tire would never be rotated.  It may not make sense to rotate the trailer tires in your case.

Austin

flyfisherman

T'is real easy (if you catch it when it's new!) ... simply put some aluminum foil over the top of your spare tire, then slide on the white cover over the tire (and foil). With the summer's sun and heat, all the chemicals are bleeding out of the tire and making an imprint on the cover.

Now plase tell me how I can catch a few trout in this summer's heat!



Fly

AustinBoston

Quote from: flyfishermanNow plase tell me how I can catch a few trout in this summer's heat!

There are some secrets one does not tell!  :p

Austin

sacrawf

The aluminum foil would probably work, wrapped around the tread and inside tire wall, leaving the back and rim sides open to allow the tire to "breathe" Thanks for the idea.

Quote from: flyfishermanT'is real easy (if you catch it when it's new!) ... simply put some aluminum foil over the top of your spare tire, then slide on the white cover over the tire (and foil). With the summer's sun and heat, all the chemicals are bleeding out of the tire and making an imprint on the cover.

Now plase tell me how I can catch a few trout in this summer's heat!



Fly

chrismarques

I bought a tire cover online last year and the instruction sheet incuded said to wrap with saran wrap or tin foil before mounting to keep the white color of the cover. I did not listen and the cover changed colors.

sacrawf

Quote from: chrismarquesI bought a tire cover online last year and the instruction sheet incuded said to wrap with saran wrap or tin foil before mounting to keep the white color of the cover. I did not listen and the cover changed colors.

The tire cover that I had problems with is the original spare tire cover with the "Rockwood" logo in the back.  Apparently the manufacturer and/or dealer don't listen to instructions either.

AustinBoston

Quote from: sacrawfThe tire cover that I had problems with is the original spare tire cover with the "Rockwood" logo in the back.  Apparently the manufacturer and/or dealer don't listen to instructions either.

Nothing new there; I've yet to see a pop-up fridge installed per instructions.

Austin

mike4947

A couple of more thoughts on the issue. One I had that left tread stains on the cover had a cardboard ring stiffener around the tread area so the stain bleed right through the cardboard.
As for radials, it's been about 20 years since they redesigned radial tires and dropped the recommendation for one side rotation. There are sill unidirectional tires out there, but most are ultra high performance tires not ST radials.
ST tires have a life span according to at least three manufacturers of 20,000 miles. And even with that low limit about 95% of ST tires fail due to overloading/underinflation or dry rot. Not to tire tread wearout.