My project
Ian Ruck makes a set of protective tyre covers
Prudent motorhome owners will take care to give their vehicles a periodic run and make sure the battery remains charged.
They may well move their unit a few yards forwards and back to allow weight to be placed on a different part of the tyre’s circumference, thus distributing the weight around all the tyre. This will help prevent flat spots in the tyre structure.
For a long period off the road, perhaps, provided the correct lifting gear and axle stands are available, then it might be an idea to remove all the road wheels and put them into storage out of the harmful reach of the sun. But, this is quite a chore.
Recently, after six years, I had all four tyres replaced with new Michelin Agilis camping tyres, the same as originally fitted at the time of manufacture.
The first set of tyres, whilst having adequate tread, had started to craze and crack around the tyre walls.
Hence the new tyres.
Recently, whilst enduring ‘splendid isolation’ and the motorhome stuck on the drive, I became concerned about the hot sun with its UV rays degrading the new tyres.
So from offcuts of shelving/MDF/ ply I have created two tyre sunguards.
I hinged the main lower panel to the top smaller panel. I simply shaped both panels to fit the wheelarches.
The front and rear wheelarches vary in size and probably differ from one unit to another. So, a little trial and error is needed to get the best fit, trimming here and there.
I used a marker pen to create the initial shape and a jigsaw, plane and sandpaper to refine the shape.
The best hinge to use is a continuous hinge (piano hinge) cut to size. However, other hinges will do.
Finally, I fitted a batten to the foot of the lower panel, to give stability to the sunguard. For the front offside wheel, which has a wheel clamp fitted, I cut out a slotted section in the lower panel, in order that the wheel clamp is visible as a crime deterrent.
The horizontal hinge allows the sunguard to flap over the top part of the tyre in a snug fit.
Two holes in the lower panel are required to thread a cable wire through the wheel spokes, or even a small security chain with a padlock if preferred. This ensures the sunguard stays where it is needed.
To make the DIY job look a bit more professional, a coat of white paint finished the job nicely. I only made two sunguards, as the sun from the east and south during the day gives the strongest rays. It is these tyres that need this protection. The nearside is generally in shadow.