Best way to store tires?

[mikeytint]

I have a few sets of tires that are not being used right now, what would be the best way to store them? I don't necessarily mean rack wise i mean mounted/unmounted,mounted with proper pressure or mounted with low pressure. Should they be laid flat or be upright? It might be a while before i use them again.

 

[Griff93]

Laid on their side prevents them from getting flat spots and if they loose air pressure prevents the sidewalls from getting cracked.

 

[W650Mike]

I have a few stacked flat on one of those four caster dolleys. Eay to move for cleaning and such.

 

[38Chevy454]

Best conditions is to minimize light (UV exposure), and temperature extremes. If you have a basement, in a corner covered with an old blanket would be a great place. I would leave them mounted up, 20psi range, not at max pressure, and standing upright. So the weight is not on the bottom tire as it would be if stored flat. Check pressure regular enough to keep from getting flat.

 

[BigAl62]

Tire manufacturers (I've dealt with most of the major brands over the course of my career) recommend storing them flat, not upright. If you have it, put cardboard or plywood under the bottom tire and between all the others. Store where the temperature is as constant as possible, low humidity is good, and NOT near electrical motors - they emit ozone while running and ozone is very bad for tires! Do not put silicone based protector products on them (ArmorAll, etc) as silicone is also bad for tires, use water based products (not sure of any specific brands other than from Griots Garage). If mounted keep them inflated to about 2/3 to 3/4 of their normal operating pressure and rotate the stack (move bottom to top, etc) to prevent any problems. Last, but not least - make sure animals can't get to them! I had a set of expensive tires chewed up during storage to the point I had to get rid of them (over $1,000 down the drain)! Hope this helps.

 

[Zeke]

I've heard of putting them in trash bags for stability especially if you vacuum out the air.

 

[Snowbound]

I've been around 100's of tire shops over the years, and they almost always store the tires standing up on pallet racking. Only the huge tractor tires, etc are stored laying down.

I store mine both ways depending on what fits the situation and available space. Never had a problem with flat spots storing the winter tires for 6 months. Maybe after a couple years you might have an issue.

 

[SmokeyDP]

I have this for the race tires and it works fantastic. It's only $129 too. I get tiny lines on the tires from the bar, but they aren't permanent and you can put pipe foam on the bar. Or just spin the tires every so often. I'm dealing with slicks and this wouldn't be an issue with regular tires.
http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/detail.jsp?ID=164&category=Tire+Storage

 

[jam0o0]

i store them on their sides with only 2 to a pile. this fits very well between then top shelf and the ceiling in my garage.

 

[camarotoolman]

i built a rack hanging from the rafters, they are out of the way. Just used scrap 2x4s. no big deal.

 

[srmofo]

My slicks stay mounted, and I pull the cores out. I set a 5gal bucket on the basement floor, then place wheel/tire combo on it, then stack another bucket and wheel on top of the first. Extra unmounted tires get stacked flat in the corner of the basement. They are sitting on top of a piece of wood and some bricks.