Storing a Trailer

[Iron Cross Junction]

The "tire age debunking" thread prompts this post, though it's a bit more than about tires alone..

I bought an Aluma MC10 open motorcycle trailer a few years ago.  It’s a one-motorcycle model and probably has a four or so thousand miles on it, with several r/t’s to Atlanta.

Aside from last winter when I brought inside to the Moto Grappa — which may happen again — it has spent most of its time sitting outside awaiting missions. 

I have been thinking, however, of leaving it out 24/7/365, or, at least, c.24/7/275.

My question(s) relate to the value, if any, of covering the tires and wheels — see, e.g., something like this, https://tinyurl.com/Trailer-Tire-Covers — and to lifting it and letting it rest on cinder blocks or the like.

Its “spot” has been in the shade almost all day, even at noon in high summer.  Its tires have never been covered and it has sat with those — less the mounted spare — on the ground.  It is all aluminum, so the only rust is on some fasteners that hold the mounting plate for the steel Condor shock that I take off when not used.

The tires still “look” OK, but are five years old.  After buying motorcycle tires, trailer tires seem near giveaways, but I’d still rather spend money on bourbon if I can keep these rolling a bit longer.  As I said, I see no cracks or other obvious signs of deterioration.

To ensure easy access for that right-side bay, I would probably spot it well out from the place shown in this pic. 





I would also hope that whatever I did to store it would still allow me time to get it ready for combat operations and come to the aid of one of you who might be stranded in the area faster than AMA or the like.   

So, comments on the above?

Thanks.

Bill

[pehayes]

Bill:  I have a Kendon Stand-Up, two rail trailer.  Stands behind my garage (so no load on the rubber) where it only gets morning sun.  I live in sunny and dry Bay Area California.  Two years ago I took the trailer and towed Regina's HDM and my Falcone to the state rally up in the mountains.  All fine.  Several weeks later I was walking through the back yard and heard a hissing sound somewhat like running water.  Hmmm, no water supply back here.  I followed my ears to find this:







YMMV.  I don't have a record of how old the tires were, but they were not the originals.  I had replaced them once with these.  I have no record of the date of manufacture on the tires.  Seems to me I dodged a big one.  I now have higher quality replacement tires and yes, I did add sun covers to the tire.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[MMRanch]

Its nice to think there might be a friendly Guzzi person in the VA area with a trailer ready to help a fellow in need.   

The trailer I'm using is out in the weather too .   You bring up a good point about keeping good tires on it.    Mine are more like 8 years old and only have a few thousand miles on them.     That wheel cover idea seems like a good thing.   

One of my uncles used to put transmission fluid on his tires to keep them looking shiny and new, but I never picked up the habit ... maybe I should.  ??

 

[Motormike]

I have an Aluma trailer that unfortunately sits outside 24/7.  The weather is tough on the aluminum, that's for sure.  I try and keep it covered with a couple of tarps, but wind and rain find their way in no matter what.  The aluminum gets badly stained by all the organic crap that ends up on the trailer.  About twice a year, I clean it thoroughly with Aluma-brite.  It does the job but it's time consuming.  The galvanized E-track I have bolted to the trailer is even worse...badly corroded and in need of replacement. I have a new section in the garage waiting for a nice day so I can change it out.  Had I known an aluminum trailer was going to be this much work to keep looking nice, I just would have bought a common utility trailer made from angle-iron with a 2 by 10 wood deck. 

[smsw]

I've got a cheap garden trailer that I store in my back yard on grass.  After the first few years (maybe 3 or so) I put  two pieces of 2x8 down on the ground and push the trailer's wheels onto that.  The trailer is now maybe 7 or 8 years old.  It is kept under trees, out of direct sunlight.  We live maybe a mile or less from an interstate with a lot of traffic.  I am guessing now that the exhaust products from the cars mixed with rain yields a lightly acid rain.  Supposedly lifetime door handles and knobs outside corrode and look awful in about 2+ years.  The paint on the trailer faded and I had some rust spots that I repainted and pulled up the expanded metal floor this summer and put down an oak floor.  Beyond that, I've seen no damage - tires look fine, structurally its ok.

All this is to say, if your trailer is out of the sunlight, damage from UV will be reduced.  Tire covers will certainly prolong their life, as will jacking the trailer up off the ground.  If you live near an interstate, you might see some corrosion on the aluminum, otherwise, I'd think it will be more durable than mine.  A friend has a similar trailer to mine and he parks it outside on grass.  No wood, no protection.  It's been there for years and is used occasionally.  He's had no problems.

[nc43bsa]

If you're curious about the age of the tires, the manufacture date is probably still readable on the sidewall.

[guzziart]

I don't do anything special to extend trailer tire life.  The 30 year old 4'x8' is on its 3rd set of tires & wheels because of dry rot & rust.  The 16 year old horse trailer got new tires last year, the originals on the southern exposure side dry rotted.

[twowheeladdict]

So, you buy an expensive Aluminum trailer, why not buy an inexpensive carport to park it under? 

When we had a travel trailer I always covered the tires and the spare.  Tires were 12 years old when I sold the trailer to a coworker who never changed them, so they were 17 years old when he sold it to a guy that was going to put it on hunting land.  The guy towed it 100 miles to his land without issue. 

The tires probably had about 25,000 miles on them when I sold the trailer.

[Scout63]

It wouldn't be a bad idea to block the tires off the ground.  Check pressure once or twice a year if not using and before using.  Replace if you see sidewall cracking. Carry a good spare and real tire changing tools.  Spin the lug nuts off once a year and use some anti seize on them. Most importantly, install bearing buddies and keep the bearings fully greased.  If you do this, I would replace tires as needed and not on a schedule.  I don’t cover my trailer. Compared to the weight of boats and immersion in salt water, MC trailers have it easy.

[twowheeladdict]

Deed restrictions, HOA’s, no room or the simply not fitting in with the look of the rest of the house/property are reasons not to put up a metal carport.

True.  I sometimes forget that people live under such restrictions. 

I was looking at his stand alone garage when I made my post, and if it were mine I would put a shed roof on one side with a concrete pad for more storage.  The carport was just an example of the cheapest way to provide more protection from the elements. 

[Iron Cross Junction]

All interesting replies.  Many thanks.   

In "trickle of consciousness" order only  , here are some thoughts based on yours ...

* Patrick's "hissing tires" are what led to my asking.  Do NOT want to have BTDT. 

* Have not yet needed to "rescue" anyone yet, MMRanch, but, unless we are in Erie on one of our monthly visits there, but -- now that I have the TOWFIT to replace Mighty Tucker ...



... I'm happy to respond.  Less sure about ATF on tires.   

* Condolences and commiserations, Motormike, on your own Aluma woes.  I won't say that "I don't care" about the appearance of the aluminum itself, but, despite my usual OCD in such things, I don't see any functional issues from the metal body's discoloration, so I am less bothered.  Mine is hardly as shiny when new.  That said, I bought a leftover that had sat on a lot suth of Macon, Georgia, for quite some time, so it's not as if I bought it off the truck from the Iowa plant. The Aluma still beats the "common utility trailer" in its extraordinarily low weight, especially given what I use to tow it!

* The experiences of guzziart, nc43bsa, & smsw's with long tire life no matter how stored make me feel better, but I'll still check more frequently than I have to avoid the obvious rot, etc.

* Perazzimx14's point about the cost of trailer upkeep v. occasional use is undoubtedly true.  But , as with other toys, I don't want to think about that.       

* As for carport, twowheeladdict, few zoning or other rules here at the top of Virginia, but I don't want a carport for all sorts of reasons.  That said, Perazzimx1, it took a year (!) to get a contractor here to pour that front pad, but a side one as you mention with a sloped shed roof off of the Moto Grappa might be useful, and also cover my termite pile ... erm ... firewood.  At least with an all-metal trailer, I don't have to worry about it being supper!

* Good points, Scout63.  I actually do check those tires' condition -- even including the spare -- because checking air pressure is one of my few real wrenching skills.     I also have tools for any road emergency.  One of the valve stems looks dodgy and we have a good tire place in town, so may take all in for that.  Your "bearing buddies" and greasing mention are weak points for me.  Will look at that soonest. 

The tire covers are cheap enough that I'll probably give those a try.  Ditto lifting the tires off the pavement, again, if I can't find room for it inside.  The new concrete pad out front sure makes moving motorcycles and the trailer in and out amazingly easier.

Thanks again to all for the help.

Bill

[Stormtruck2]

That trailer is small enough, and light enough that you may want to consider standing it on end in the Moto Grappa, or, as I have seen done, suspended from the ceiling. Both eliminate the harm from environmental factors, and keeps it out of the way until needed. As for tires, ozone and UV are the greatest enemy of tires that are parked for extended periods of time.  Also the belts can take a "set" when parked for long periods.  Steel belts within the tires can rust without any visible sign from the exterior.  Rust weakens the belts and a fine looking tire can rapidly disassemble while traveling. When a tire rapidly disassembles the best you can hope for is changing the tire alongside a busy highway, with drivers whom refuse to move over or slow down to give you room to work safely.  Often it will take a fender off while it scatters itself is random directions, or worse yet, cause you to lose control. Do not Guzzisti tires. Spend the money and invest in confidence of your equipment.

 Not all trailers are suitable for those storage options.   
 

 

[Tiki Joe]

Can you not stand it up on end inside of the garage?  Might be a pain to do but if you only use it once a year; that is where I'd keep it.

[LowRyter]

not reading much of this, I'd keep the tires out of the sun.

[Shorty]

These tires LOOKED great. Were kept off the ground, in a shaded shed. Pressure tested before the rally. I was hauling a dirt bike home from the Okie Rally when it decided to give up the ghost. I'm very thankful to have it explode on a 45 MPH back road rather than the 75 MPH highway I had just exited.  Age of tires? Old. But, as stated, they LOOKED great! I went out and bought 3 new ones. At my age, it's a lifetime supply.   One thing I learned: Get yourself a small floor jack to carry in the tow vehicle when you pull the trailer. It saved a ton of time and effort. Also: carry a spare set of trailer wheel bearings (pre lubed  )

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

I was looking at his stand alone garage when I made my post, and if it were mine I would put a shed roof on one side with a concrete pad for more storage.  The carport was just an example of the cheapest way to provide more protection from the elements.

I think even a small gravel pad off the hidden side of the garage with a very simple wooden lean-to frame with corrugated metal or plastic for a roof....  just need 4 posts + post holes and a few 2x4's to support 2 4x8 sheets of roofing.

Thats what I would do if I had a detached garage (or even 8'x8' of level land on my lot!) 

[Nick]

Bill,
I have a few trailers and one of the rules I follow is that high speed could pose a problem with trailer tires. Be careful with your cruising speed  . Most trailer tires are rated as 65 mph as their max speed. The tire could heat up and fail easier if that speed warning is exceeded/ignored “often” ...
There are a couple brands that do have higher speed ratings. Check yours out.
Just my $.02
Nick

[Iron Cross Junction]

More great ideas and counsel from all.

Musing on options.

Many thanks.

Bill

[Ted N]

When I lived in Santa Fe with little yard space (as there is no land in New Mexico so they have tiny yards) I built a contraption with cables, pulleys and an electric winch to haul my Aluma A888 up to the garage ceiling. Sorry, no pictures but it worked very well for me and kept the like new.