Tire Cradles

[Richard S.]

Do Tire Cradles prevent tire flatspotting? They are rather expensive and I would like input from members who may have tried this product.

[John H.]

Re: Tire Cradles

Do Tire Cradles prevent tire flatspotting? They are rather expensive and I would like input from members who may have tried this product.

Richard -

The last time I experienced flat-spotting was MANY years ago, on a set of original nylon bias-ply tires; haven't experienced it since, and my cars sit for six months on concrete all winter long. I think it's a non-issue.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Tire Cradles

I've lived through the bias ply flat spotting era too back in the day, and I remember rolling them out swerving side to side like NASCAR cars. I hadn't experienced it for a long time until the set of Goodyear radials I've had on my 63 for close to ten years. If my car has been sitting for a couple of weeks, I do notice some rough riding for a while when I leave my village. I find myself rolling them out just like in the old days. May be just my imagination.

Stu Fox

[Frank D.]

Re: Tire Cradles

There was a big flap about this very topic on the CF in the last few days. The consensus seemed to be that modern tires should not need those cradles.

[Duke W.]

Re: Tire Cradles

"Flat spotting" is a characteristic of nylon cord tires, so it could apply to nylon bias ply tires, which are fairly rare or modern H or greater speed rated radials that have spiral wound nylon cap belts. These, unfortunately, are becoming rare in replacement sizes. Tire construction including cord type (rayon, polyester, nylon, steel) is placarded on the sidewall along with maximum COLD pressure.

Flat spotting from sitting is rarely permanent if the tire has sufficient air pressure to support the load without excessive distortion, and flat spots will usually round out once the tire warms up from driving.

For winter storage the tires should be aired-up to at least 35 psi or to near the maximum cold pressure placarded on the sidewall and checked once a month -at least visually or with a pressure gage - to ensure that they are not leaking. Allowing a tire to go flat or near flat while supporting the vehicle load can damage the carcass.

"Tire cradles" are are a scam other than the type that have casters that allow you to maneuver the car around in tight spaces.

Duke

[Jim T.]

Re: Tire Cradles

I air up my Corvettes tires to about 42-45 pounds when I know they are going to be on the lifts and not driven for awhile. A co-worker drives a Honda Civic, about 2006 model that now has over 300k on it, inflates his tires to 45 for normal driving and has recorded over 100,000 miles on the last three sets of tires, just recently bought the third set.

[Leif A.]

Re: Tire Cradles

For anyone considering the viability of tire cradles as they relate to reducing (non-existent) flat spotting...I've 20 acres of pristine ocean side property for sale just outside of Topeka, Kansas for $20k per acre...anybody???