RickC6

It's getting close to the time where I put the Vette in the garage for it's long winter's nap. I was looking at Race Ramps website the other night and noticed that they made a product for long term storage to prevent flat spots. I had not seen this product before and it made me wonder what everyone does to prevent flat spots? I try to get my car out every couple of weeks during the winter which prevents any flat spotting but some winters don't allow for that. I won't drive my car on roads once they are salted, so if we have a lot of snow and ice this winter, my car will be in the garage for maybe 3 months or so. The Race Ramp product looks interesting but seems pretty expensive. What are you using, if anything?

Don-Vette

No need to worry about flat spots for winter storage, it's only a few months. Especially with runflat tires. All I do for winter storage is pump up tires to 38lbs. Never had a problem, RF or non RF. If your storing a vehicle 6 months or longer,then I would remove the tires.

revilingfool

yep, just overinflate tires.

However, i have had a set of raceramps and they do make a nice product. Worth the money they charge.

Jughead

I stored my 70 in the winter for years and never had a problem. Last couple winters I stored a Ford SHO, again no problem---this was the longest though, a full 6 months. Not sure about run flats

RCKTRYD

I store for at least six months. I followed Michelin's rep's advice for my very wide tires on my '427' 60th. They said, "to be safe, if it was mine, I'd park it on quality flat spot protection". So I do, even though many say they don't.

Tefer

Maybe a stupid question, I don't know but What is or would be considered quality flat spot protection?

car2fast4you

I purchased an 8 foot x 4 foot x 1 1/2 inches board of rigid foam insulation, and cut it up into 24 inch x 16 inch rectangles. I park the Vette on top of them during storage. It works great. When I take the car out 3 months later, the insulation board is formed nicely around the tires. It costs very little, and serves the purpose perfectly. I get 3 seasons worth for about $20. I also over-inflate the tires.

windyC6

I was kinda wondering the same thing......kinda like this new term for buffing out your paint...."Paint Correction?"....or something like that...

RagTop69

I thought the flat spot problem substantially went away with bias ply tires. I didn't know radials were subject to them as well.

windyC6

I would think that the laws of physics would have something to say about letting about 800 lbs sit on a rubber contact patch of probably less than a square foot for over 6 months or so and not expect it to get a small flat spot. The diff with the newer tires is that they will bounce back in no time at all.....usually.....

RCKTRYD

My research led me to what I felt was the best product…'Tire Cradle'.
They're a bit more expensive, but it's a patented super quality cradle. I've had great luck with them. While some have created various home made devices, it was my choice to get some really nice cradles.

Tefer

I had never heard of such a thing. But I did look them up and you are correct they are quite expensive. Looks like they would do the the trick though. Thanks for the info.

VETFEVER

I made ramps for my car to sit on out of 1 inch thick rigid styrofoam insulation (blue or pink), I cut a 4x8 sheet into 3 strips 16 inches wide which is plenty to make 2 ramps 12 ft long.

Drive the car up on the ramps, the insulation "crushes" under the weight of the car after a couple of days, and that's it.

The insulation cradles the tire and keeps it off the cold concrete floor.

Been using them for several years now....

JC23GS10

That's exactly what I have done in the past without any problems. I also take the transmission out of 1st and roll the the car a couple of feet into a new position. The move it back a month later. Probably not necessary but it doesn't hurt

Red08

Flat spotting was more an issue with bias belted tires, not so much with radials. I add a few extra pounds for winter storage, and its never been a problem the following spring.

919cw313

I would have zero worries about flat spots on a car with radial tires sitting for 3 months.

Red Devil

Same here.

LMB-Z

I don't think the new tires will flatspot, no matter how long you let it sit. If you put something under the tires, you still have the same amount of weight, sitting on the same place, as you did before you put something under the tire. Just my opinion...I'm not a tire expert, but I had a C3 that sat for 5 years...not one problem with tires at all.

torquetube

I hear that claim made often, but I have direct experience to the contrary. Susceptibility seems to vary by tire model, with some radial tires very prone to flat spotting.

The discontinued Goodyear GS-D3s (radials) would flat spot after a few weeks but would spring back after a few miles. However, park for years on GS-D3s and the flat spots never go away.