Tire Recommendation - Caution, May Be Disturbing to Some

[SeaDweller]

This isn't your typical request, and this may be quite disturbing for most of you, so if you don't have a strong stomach, please hit exit now..............

I need to replace the tires on my '85 Carrera Targa, BUT, I have a unique set of circumstances to contend with. My car has 32K miles on it, and I bought it two years ago with 29K miles on it. I know, believe me, I know.

As you can imagine, the biggest issue I have is with flat-spotting. I searched the archives, and performance driving is the primary qualification for most tire recommendations. Rightfully so, we're talking Porsche's here!

Unfortunately, I'm in the air 3 weeks out of the month, and my car sits under cover for extended periods of time. I can go as much as 6-8 weeks before taking off the cover! The current tires have plenty of tread, but they're terribly flat-spotted, to the point that I feel like I'm driving a sandrail down the 710 Freeway toward Long Beach!!

What I'm looking for is a tire that will still allow me do some spirited driving around town, yet have a compound that resists flat spotting. I'm pretty sure I don't have the only garage queen in the country, so for those of you that have cars that sit for extended periods, what kind of tires are you using?

Thanks!

[Dantilla]

If tires have been sitting a long time, they should be fine again after ten miles or so. My 911 sits for long periods sometimes, but by the time I get to the freeway the tires are fine.

Any chance you could put it up on jackstands while you're away?

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Bridgestone Potenza RE750

[TerryH]

Keep the tire pressure at the top of the range while parked. How about parking on a large golf mat? Some astroturf has a one inch or so padded backing.

Removing the wheels would be one way to avoid the problem.

edit: Post a picture of this nearly new '85.

[fiminod]

Try checking with our host as they may carry these things called tire cradles. They propose to keep your tires from flatspotting by parking on these "cradle" like floor molds. I cannot speak to their effectiveness, but the theory seems sound. I too had the flatspotting issue while living in Naples Florida, must be the heat and humidity because now that I'm living just outside of Boston it doesn't happen. I'm wearing Yoko's ES 100's and the car sat from december through march.

[bbthomson]

Hey Michael - Something like these would help. Simple to use and relatively inexpensive.

Brent
70' 911

[rdane]

15 minutes and 4 $20 jack stands. About the cost of one medium priced tire.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by TerryH

Keep the tire pressure at the top of the range while parked.

I read 50psi for winter storage.

[SeaDweller]

Here ya go Terry...............

[bigchillcar]

i second or third the jackstand solution. a floor jack and 4 stands and maybe 10 minutes..
ryan

[TerryH]

Looks like you just drove it off the lot, Michael. Very nice! So you speak of Long Beach CA. and your location says Florida. The picture of your car shows a snowbank. Just where does this car reside, anyway?


As for jack stands, is it bad for the suspension to hang the tires in the air for months at a time?

Those wheel dollys are cool. That way the wife can move the car around in the garage.

[ozz]

Respectfully have to disagree the the jackstand crowd. That certainly solves the problem but as a practical matter, (given the limited time that Michael has), crawling around with the jack, getting it off stands, then going in washing up and changing cloths to take the wife out to dinner in the P-car (specualting here) is a real PITA. Then reverse the process when you get home and before heading back out of town - double PITA.

I agree with Fiminod - I'd try the cradles. IF they work, at least you can just drive on and off them when you have the time/urge to take the car out.

[SeaDweller]

I relocated from southern CA to FL around 6 years ago......We lived in Tustin, San Pedro and Redondo Beach.....

Those pictures are from the previous owner, who lived in VA....I don't have any other pictures of the car yet, so one of these weekends I'll snap some real location pictures!!!!

Thanks for the input everyone.........I like the wheeled dolly, but I can just see my son playing Hercules and shoving the car down the driveway, and into the street!!!

I wonder about using a material similar to the stuff they use for those gardening knee pads??? The Tire Cradle is close to $400, and for that kind of money, I'd rather buy that inflatable "cocoon" that they have in the Automotion catalog! Wouldn't that blow peoples minds when you opened the garage door!!!

[Harlan Chinn]

Get yourself an 'H'-Lift


Lifting Speed 50 seconds

Lifting capacity 9000 lbs.
Lifting speed 50 seconds
Motor Rating 2HP 220vac
Amperage 20 amps.
Lifting height with adapters 79"
Width overall 134"
Height overall
109"
Pad height adjustment 3 1/4" - 10"
Shipping weight 1500 lbs.

[RickM]

However, many say that storing with a fully extended suspension is bad as well.

PS: I'm worse with the miles. I purchased my '85 in '87 with 38k and it has 42k or 43K now.

[lateapex911]

High pressure, and a curved "receptor" should do the trick.

Being a guy who just goes and builds stuff, I would would use a thin sheet of plywood, (for easy bending) some framing lumber and some construction adhesive, and put it a parking spot in the garage that had depressed receptors to cradle the tires. Use the glue to keep it all in place, but only a few dabs so it can be knocked free easily. $50 or less, and you can just drive on/drive off.

PM me and I can give you a mat'l list and plans.

[randywebb]

I sure wouldn't spend the $400 for a tire cradle any more than I would pay $300 for lower valve covers, but some would.

Just find pads of a relatively compressible foam (not too compressible). I would troll around around at Home Despot, or at an industrial supply house. The mats used to prevent worker fatigue and leg problems for concrete floors should do it...