Learning how to properly store tires can be a real headache.  Do you store them on their sides?  Up and down?  Interlaced?  On the rim or off?  Here is Part 1 of our list of tire storage tips.  Look for Part 2 next week!

1. Clean the tires before storage

Ensure that your tires are clean before they are stored, as the accumulation of gunk on them can lead to damage and wear on them.  They can also stain, giving them the appearance of older, used tires, even for brand-new tires.

2. Try sealing them

The less air trapped with the tires, the better they perform.  Tires can be bagged and air sealed, to help ensure that they don't develop rot or mold.

3. Store them straight up

The best way to store tires is standing upright – it puts less stress on the tires. If you have to stack your tires, try not to stack them too high. If your tire tower gets too tall, it could topple over and damage the tires.

However, if your tires are mounted on the rims, you should store them stacked, not upright.

4. Can they be hung?

If your tires are mounted on the rims, hanging them from hooks is a great storage option. But unmounted tires should never be hung – the stress can cause distortion and damage.

5. Tire totes? Do such things really exist?

They do – some folks like to use “tire totes” to store and carry tires. While these totes are convenient, tidy, and make carrying tires easier, they’re not airtight, so they don’t necessarily protect tires from the atmosphere. If you want to use tire totes, we recommend putting the tires in plastic bags (as described above) first, then putting them in the totes.

Check back next week for part 2, and remember that Tier-Rack Corporation will help you with all of your tire rack and storage needs.  Visit www.tier-rack.com today and call 1-800-325-7869 for more information on storage solutions for your business.