Hi,

 

As I was doing some research to order a winter wheels set for the new Octavia, I came across this info in the Skoda Winter wheels brochure

 

Until now, I have always stored my spare wheels set vertically in a rack like the below one and I never thought anything wrong of it:

 

After doing more research, I understand the concern about upright storage would be to create a flat spot and degrade the tyres.

 

Since the tyre rack does not have a flat surface at its bottom but two bars, would it still damage the tyres?

 

Curious to hear your opinion on this.

 

Thanks

 

 

Here in Germany the Wheel Tree (Felgenbaum) direct translation is the most popular way to store ones wheels:

 

I use a wheel tree , but before I had one I used to use a slatted wooden shelf, make sure they were inflated and rotate them about once a month.

 

The rim adds weight for sure, so is probably more likely to cause sidewall/flat spot damage than empty.

Thanks Guys. 

 

I use to have a wheel tree but moved to a wall mounted one to save space in the garage... looks like it was not the smartest move

 

 

58 minutes ago, Coume said:

Thanks Guys. 

 

I use to have a wheel tree but moved to a wall mounted one to save space in the garage... looks like it was not the smartest move

 

 

I think you should be fine in you rotate them once a month like cheezemonkhai said.

14 hours ago, Coume said:

Thanks Guys. 

 

I use to have a wheel tree but moved to a wall mounted one to save space in the garage... looks like it was not the smartest move

 

 

Alternatively buy a couple of heavy duty L shape 30cm shelf brackets and mount a shelf just below the rack so tyres partly resting on it.  (high enough to part support tyres, but not so high as to lift them so can roll over the bars).

 

Another alternative (probably easier) is to fix netting over the bars to make a U shaped sling cradle, which will support over much bigger area to avoid flat spots.  I think the type you need is called barrier fencing (as normally used as barrier around holes)

 

 

Whats wrong with just having them one on top of the other, like the wheel tree but just sitting on top of eachother. I've not yet had a problem doing it this way.

I currently store my winter wheels like this were stored for over a year before recently went on they're absolutely fine  

The weight of a wheel & tyre acting on one or two contact points is insignificant if the tyre is inflated and there will be no concern regarding flat spots, I have just recommissioned a car left standing in my garage since the end of 2003, the tyres were still fully inflated and no flat spots, others stored on a flat shelf that had lost their pressure had deformed & gone really flat at the bottom but returned to shape as soon as inflated.

 

Tyres are stored vertically in racks at tyre fitters and part worn tyre shops.

 

I have just realised that the original unused 1987 spare wheel from the above vehicle has been stored vertically for 34 years and it still is fully inflated and no flat spot.

Aren't flat spots only a thing for the old cross plies (from the 60's-70's?).

I've seen 2 (only 2 admittedly) French tyre storage depots (snow/summer storage) each stored 'wheels' the opposite way to each other, AND had 'tyres only' stored just the same way, doesn't mean that either of them was wrong of course, as both ways may work, and no I'm not revisting for best of three check just yet, I can return in July (after my 2nd jab) if anyone would donate to a just giving

Edited 26 March, 20215 yr by NJRJ
Added clarity, well sort of