Flat Spots
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 151
Likes: 13
Flat Spots
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?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 11,973
Likes: 463
From: Tonawanda New York
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.
Last edited by Don-Vette; Nov 16, 2016 at 11:08 AM.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
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
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 167
Likes: 40
From: WI & FL
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.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 209
From: Lincoln Nebraska
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,239
Likes: 757
From: Lindenhurst, IL
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.
Last edited by car2fast4you; Nov 16, 2016 at 02:23 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2011
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Last edited by windyC6; Nov 16, 2016 at 02:49 PM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2011
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 167
Likes: 40
From: WI & FL
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.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 209
From: Lincoln Nebraska
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.
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.
Race Director
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 10,805
Likes: 706
From: Feverish All Over
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....
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....
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 154
Likes: 3
From: Montreal
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.
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
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 141
From: Toronto Ontario
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.
Same here.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 450
From: Texarkana Texas
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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 806
From: West coast CA
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.