Seasonal tire change is an inevitable procedure for every car owner in temperate climates. However, after dismantling the tire kit, the driver is faced with the question: where and how to store the wheels until next season? Simple folding in the corner of the garage or on the balcony can lead to deformation of the cord and uneven wear of the tread.
That's why. wheel-storage They become an indispensable attribute of a competent motorist. They not only save usable space, but also provide ideal conditions for resting your rubber. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of choosing, installing and operating these useful devices.
The use of specialized racks or brackets protects the tires from flattening under their own weight. This is especially true for modern low-profile tires, the sidewalls of which are more sensitive to long-term static loads. Proper storage is an investment in your safety and budget savings to buy a new kit.
Why it is important to properly store your tires
Rubber is a material that changes its physical and chemical properties over time under the influence of external factors. The wrong position of the wheel in space can cause irreversible changes in the geometry of the frame. If you just throw four wheels at each other in a pile, the bottom will experience tremendous pressure, which will result in a “hernia” or oval shape.
In addition, humidity and temperature changes in the garage or on the balcony negatively affect the condition. rubber-mix. The stand provides the necessary ventilation from all sides, preventing the formation of condensation inside the tread. This is critical to prevent corrosion of the metal cord, which is the power base of any tire.
⚠️ Attention: Storage of tires on a damp concrete floor without a pallet or stand is strictly prohibited. Concrete pulls moisture and gives off cold, which destroys the rubber structure from below.
Also, the factor of ultraviolet radiation should be considered. Many designs of stands allow you to cover the wheels with protective covers, without violating the stability of the entire system. This creates an additional barrier from sunlight, which dries the rubber and makes it brittle.
The ideal temperature for storing tires is from +10 ° C to +25 ° C with a humidity of not more than 60%. Try to place stands away from heating appliances and open fire sources.
Main types of stand designs
The market of automotive accessories offers many solutions for organizing space. The choice of a particular model depends on how much space you have and whether you are willing to spend time building each season. Structurally, all systems are divided into several main types, each of which has its own advantages.
The most popular option is floor-stack. They are a stable frame, often on wheels, which accommodates four wheels at once. Such designs can be disassemblable or integral. Their main advantage is mobility: you can easily roll the entire set from the garage to the yard for washing or just free the aisle.
For those who appreciate every centimeter of the square, perfect. wall-bracket. They are attached directly to the wall and allow the wheels to hang in the air. This solution frees the floor completely, which is convenient for small boxes. However, the installation of such systems requires strong walls (brick or concrete) and the use of quality dowels.
- 🚗 Vertical posts: compact devices where the wheels are worn on the central pin one above the other, but with separators that prevent contact.
- 🏗️ Multi-tiered shelves: Classic shelving, where each wheel lies horizontally on a separate shelf, which is the most gentle storage mode.
- 🔄 The turning mechanisms: premium options with the ability to rotate around the axle for easy access to any wheel without moving the entire structure.
Separate attention should be paid to ceiling suspension systems. They are difficult to install, but allow you to use dead space under the ceiling of the garage. Usually, such systems are equipped with winches or cables for the safe lifting and lowering of a heavy set of wheels in the assembly.
Manufacturing materials and their impact on durability
When choosing a stand, you need to pay close attention to the materials from which it is made. The main enemy of metal in garage conditions is corrosion. Constant temperature changes and possible humidity require that the load-bearing elements be protected.
The most reliable option is considered powder-coated. This treatment creates a durable polymer layer that is resistant to scratches and chemical influences. Unlike conventional paint, powder spray does not crack when impacted and reliably protects the metal from rust for many years.
Aluminum structures are less common due to their high cost, but they have absolute corrosion resistance. However, their load-bearing capacity may be lower than that of steel, so it is important to check the declared maximum weight when choosing an aluminum stand.
| Materials | Resistance to corrosion | Max. load | Price. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel (painted) | Low. | Tall. | Low. |
| Steel (galvanized) | Medium | Tall. | Medium |
| Steel (powder) | Tall. | Very high. | Medium/High |
| aluminum | Maximum | Medium | Tall. |
Plastic elements in the design (for example, shelves or separators) must be made of frost-resistant plastic. Cheap plastic in the cold becomes brittle and can crack under the weight of a heavy winter wheel with a cast disc. Always specify the temperature range of polymer components.
Can I keep the wheels in bags on the stand?
Keeping the wheels in black plastic bags on the stand is not recommended if there are no ventilation holes in them. The rubber must "breathe." It is better to use special breathable spanbond covers or leave the wheels open in a dry room.
Rules of installation and installation of shelving
Storage safety depends on the quality of the installation of the structure. If you choose the wall option, the first step should be a thorough analysis of the surface. Gypsum partitions or hollow blocks will not withstand the weight of four wheels with discs, which can reach 100 kilograms.
For fastening, use only metal anchors or chemical dowels corresponding to the diameter of the fastening holes in the bracket. Before drilling, be sure to use a hidden wiring detector to avoid damaging electrical cables passing through the wall.
☑️ Pre-installing check
When assembling floor structures, monitor the horizontality of the installation. The distortion can lead to the fact that the design will fold under load. If the floor in the garage is uneven, put rubber pads under the legs of the stands or use adjustable supports, if they are provided by the design.
The distance between the vertical racks should be selected so that the wheel enters there with a small gap, but does not dangle. Too tight fit can damage the sidewall of the tire when removed, and too loose will lead to a fall of the wheel in an accidental push.
⚠️ Attention: Never exceed the maximum load specified by the manufacturer of the stand. The total weight of the four R17-R19 wheels on alloy wheels can significantly exceed the weight of simple stampings.
Features of storage of wheels in the assembly and separately
There are two main ways of seasonal storage: tires separate from the wheels and wheels assembled. Stands for these cases may differ constructively, although many universal models support both options. The choice of storage method affects the durability of rubber and the convenience of tire installation.
If you keep the wheels assembled (the tire is worn on the disc), it is recommended to place them horizontally on each other or vertically in a row. When vertically stored in the assembly, it is important that the tire pressure is reduced to 0.5-0.8 atm, to reduce the voltage in the sidewalls, but not to allow a complete descent, otherwise the side may move away from the disc.
Storing tires without discs requires only a vertical position. Hang them or put a pile can not be - a thin sidewall without disk support quickly deforms. Special tire stands have V-shaped slots or pins that support the tread, allowing the tire to stand “on the edge”.
- 🔧 Gathered: You can fold in a pile (horizontally) or put in a row (vertically), periodically (once a month) turning 90 degrees.
- 🌪️ Separately: strictly vertically on special shelves-combs to avoid curvature of the profile.
- 💨 Pressure: when stored in the collection, it is recommended to maintain the working pressure or slightly reduce it to compensate for temperature differences.
For owners of expensive low-profile tires, it is preferable to store them in the collection and suspended for the disk. This completely eliminates the contact of the tread with the surfaces and the load on the sidewalls. For this, there are special hooks that cling to holes in the cast discs or for the rim itself.
The optimal way of storage for most motorists is floor rack, where the wheels assembled stand vertically in a row. This minimizes the area and provides good ventilation.
Frequent errors in the operation of stands
Even the presence of a high-quality stand does not guarantee the safety of rubber, if errors are made in the operation process. One of the most common problems is overloading shelves. In pursuit of saving space, owners try to shove one shelf more than planned, or put heavy canisters of oil there.
Ignoring cleaning before installation is another mistake. Mud, rocks and salt stuck in the tread can damage the coating of the stand itself or the adjacent wheel. In addition, chemical reagents from the road continue to break down rubber even at rest if not washed away.
Some motorists place stands with wheels directly above heat sources or on a draft. Warm air from the heater dries the rubber, and the draft creates an uneven temperature background, which leads to the stratification of materials. The storage area should be stable.
It is also worth mentioning the storage error along with aggressive substances. Gasoline, solvents, acids and alkalis should not be in the immediate vicinity of the tyres. The vapors of these substances are able to chemically change the composition of rubber, making it unusable.
Comparative table of storage methods
To finally decide on the choice, let's systematize information about the different approaches to organizing a place for wheels. Each method has a right to exist, but their effectiveness varies depending on the conditions of your garage or apartment.
| Method | Saving space | Tyre safety | Difficulty of installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floor rack | Medium | Tall. | Low. |
| Wall brackets | Tall. | Tall. | Medium |
| Ceiling elevator | Maximum | Very high. | Tall. |
| Simple folding | Low. | Low. | Absent. |
In summary, it can be said that wheel-storage It is not just an accessory, but the necessary equipment to extend the life of your rubber shoes. The right design choice and compliance with the rules of operation will save you money on the purchase of a new kit and provide confidence in safety on the road in any season.
Can I keep the wheels on an open balcony?
Storage on an open balcony is highly undesirable. Ultraviolet, rain, snow and temperature changes will quickly destroy the rubber. If there is no other way out, the wheels should be in sealed but breathable covers and closed from the direct sun.
Do I need to lubricate the discs before storage?
Cast discs should be washed and covered with wax or a special preservative. Steel stamps, if they have chipped paint, it is better to treat the rust converter and paint so that corrosion does not pass on board the tire.
How often should I check the wheels on the stand?
It is recommended to inspect the wheels once a month. Check the pressure (if stored in the collection), the absence of hernias, cracks and foreign objects in the tread. It is also useful to change the position of the wheels (scroll) for a uniform distribution of the load.
Does the color of the stand affect storage?
The color of the metal does not affect the properties of the rubber. However, dark stands are less noticeable in the garage, and light powder coating is easier to control for scratches and corrosion foci.