Storage question: Flat spot stoppers? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

toothfangandclaw · 01-03-2011, 03:50 PM

I searched and read most of the winterizing threads. I've noticed some recommend jacks to prevent flat spotting of tires. I've seen some products generally called "flat spot stoppers" that look to be plastic or rubber that fit under each tire. Has anyone used these, do they work, and if so is there a brand you recommend?

I found these 2 through searches:

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...o?code=FROOGLE

http://www.kmjent.com/cart/product.php?productid=5099

Thanks in advance,
-Toothfangandclaw

zen · 01-03-2011, 04:47 PM

Buy some 2 inch thick styrofoam (closed cell). cut into 1 foot squares and drive up on them or jack up onto. They will compress into the proper radius of the tire.

first one · 01-03-2011, 07:05 PM

Once you drive up on the styrofoam, won't it just flatten out and not support the radius of the tire? Seems like it needs to be made of a material that is supportive and when compressed, it will need to return to it's original shape to support your tire. Please tell me if I'm wrong.

Edit: Wow, $259.00 for 4 pieces of plastic. Seems excessively high to me, or maybe they were high when they set the price.

mickss · 01-03-2011, 07:21 PM

Or you could do what I do, go out to the garage every 2 weeks and roll the car back about 12" and 2 weeks later roll it forward 12", never had a flat spot issue with any car I have done this with. It also helps if you over inflate to 50 lbs.

Tantalizer43 · 01-03-2011, 07:44 PM

I am using the Race Ramps Flatstoppers. This will be my first winter using them, because I did experience flat spots after storage last year.

It's a little too early to tell if they're working, but the design and construction of the ramps are nice.

I did not compare prices from the websites you posted, however you can buy direct from Race Ramps.

www.raceramps.com

Cyber/Orange10 · 01-03-2011, 11:44 PM

5 yrs of storing the Corvette and all I've ever done is put in 40 PSI and never had a flat spot.....

98nosz28 · 01-04-2011, 12:49 AM

from what i could find it was a big problem with the bias ply but not the radials any more. I stored my old camaro with nitto drag radials and never had a problem.

Big Brunsy · 01-04-2011, 10:01 AM

I noticed very minor flat spots after storage last year but they were gone after only a few miles of driving.

stratman2SSRS · 01-04-2011, 10:04 AM

Over inflate the tires to 45-50lbs of pressure. You will never have a problem with radial tires that way. I've been doing it for years with all of my cars.

ZED SLED · 01-04-2011, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stratman2SSRS

Over inflate the tires to 45-50lbs of pressure. You will never have a problem with radial tires that way. I've been doing it for years with all of my cars.

+1

ssmike · 01-04-2011, 01:05 PM

2x2 thick pile carpet remnants under each wheel.

INTIMIDAT3R · 01-04-2011, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stratman2SSRS

Over inflate the tires to 45-50lbs of pressure. You will never have a problem with radial tires that way. I've been doing it for years with all of my cars.

+2

Ivas · 01-04-2011, 03:31 PM

Raise the car up off its wheels. If you're lazy, two floor jacks, one under the left rear and the other under the right front (or vice versa) will do the trick in a couple of minutes.

Shurenuff · 01-04-2011, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ivas

Raise the car up off its wheels. If you're lazy, two floor jacks, one under the left rear and the other under the right front (or vice versa) will do the trick in a couple of minutes.

I've heard that's not good to do for long periods of time since the suspension is designed to have the load of the car.

01-03-2011, 03:50 PM	#1
toothfangandclaw Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS SIM Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 57	Storage question: Flat spot stoppers? I searched and read most of the winterizing threads. I've noticed some recommend jacks to prevent flat spotting of tires. I've seen some products generally called "flat spot stoppers" that look to be plastic or rubber that fit under each tire. Has anyone used these, do they work, and if so is there a brand you recommend? I found these 2 through searches: http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...o?code=FROOGLE http://www.kmjent.com/cart/product.php?productid=5099 Thanks in advance, -Toothfangandclaw __________________ 1000 Dealer Ordered (3.1.10) 1100 Preliminary order accepted (3.2.10) 2500 Order preferenced (3.2.10) 3000 Order accepted by production control (3.3.10) TPW = 3.15.10 3300 Order scheduled for production (3.6.10) 3400 Order Broadcast (3.11.10) 3800 Order produced (3.19.10) 2G1FT1EW3A9205722 4200, Shipped (3.23.10) 5000, Delivered to the dealer (4.5.10) Picked up at Reedman-Toll (4.5.10) Last edited by toothfangandclaw; 01-03-2011 at 05:39 PM.

01-03-2011, 07:05 PM	#3
first one Drives: SSRS - black, GFX, SSX wheels Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: IN Posts: 936	Once you drive up on the styrofoam, won't it just flatten out and not support the radius of the tire? Seems like it needs to be made of a material that is supportive and when compressed, it will need to return to it's original shape to support your tire. Please tell me if I'm wrong. Edit: Wow, $259.00 for 4 pieces of plastic. Seems excessively high to me, or maybe they were high when they set the price. __________________

01-03-2011, 07:44 PM	#5
Tantalizer43 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cincinnati OH Posts: 1,359	I am using the Race Ramps Flatstoppers. This will be my first winter using them, because I did experience flat spots after storage last year. It's a little too early to tell if they're working, but the design and construction of the ramps are nice. I did not compare prices from the websites you posted, however you can buy direct from Race Ramps. www.raceramps.com __________________

01-04-2011, 12:49 AM	#7
98nosz28 Drives: 1998 Camaro Z28 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Unity, Sk, Canada Posts: 188	from what i could find it was a big problem with the bias ply but not the radials any more. I stored my old camaro with nitto drag radials and never had a problem. __________________ 07 Escalade, CAI, Corsa exhaust, predator tuner. 2011 SS/RS synergy green, sunroof, M6. Street scene ground effects, hood spear and shark fin decals from ridergraphix.

01-04-2011, 10:04 AM	#9
stratman2SSRS Drives: Lingenfelter Camaro Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 2,161 View My Garage	Over inflate the tires to 45-50lbs of pressure. You will never have a problem with radial tires that way. I've been doing it for years with all of my cars. __________________

01-03-2011, 04:47 PM	#2
zen Drives: 2011 CTS CPE & 2010 2LT/RS CGM Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Nevada Posts: 337	Buy some 2 inch thick styrofoam (closed cell). cut into 1 foot squares and drive up on them or jack up onto. They will compress into the proper radius of the tire.

01-03-2011, 07:21 PM	#4
mickss Drives: 2010 Camaro LS-M6 67 Chevelle Wgn Join Date: May 2009 Location: . Posts: 1,509 View My Garage	Or you could do what I do, go out to the garage every 2 weeks and roll the car back about 12" and 2 weeks later roll it forward 12", never had a flat spot issue with any car I have done this with. It also helps if you over inflate to 50 lbs.

01-03-2011, 11:44 PM	#6
Cyber/Orange10 Cyber/orange10 Drives: 2010 2SS 96 CE LT4, 12 CRUZE ECO Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Freeport,Il 61032 Posts: 211	5 yrs of storing the Corvette and all I've ever done is put in 40 PSI and never had a flat spot.....

01-04-2011, 10:01 AM	#8
Big Brunsy Drives: 2010 supercharged LS3 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Le Mars, Iowa Posts: 2,235 View My Garage	I noticed very minor flat spots after storage last year but they were gone after only a few miles of driving.

01-04-2011, 01:05 PM	#11
ssmike BL1ZZRD Drives: '16 Camaro 2SS, '20 Equinox Redline Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 7,841	2x2 thick pile carpet remnants under each wheel.

01-04-2011, 03:31 PM	#13
Ivas el Ruco Drives: 2010 Camaro SS (now runnin' TENS ) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Fontana, CA Posts: 7,388	Raise the car up off its wheels. If you're lazy, two floor jacks, one under the left rear and the other under the right front (or vice versa) will do the trick in a couple of minutes.

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