If you have headed to somewhere filled with greenery and can’t find any piece of land that is free of grass, you might be asking yourself, is parking on grass bad for tires? The answer is yes; it can be bad for your tires and for the RV as a whole. In this article, we will explain why that is the case and also how you can still park on grass after a few adjustments.
What Kind of Damage Can Be Caused by Parking an RV on Grass?
Parking on grass for a short time is fine and will not cause any kind of significant damage to your tires or the vehicle. However, if you keep your RV parked on grass for a long time, as in, for days on end, then there will certainly be some damage. There are three reasons why parking on grass can be bad. These are:
Rusting Underneath the Carriage
As you might already know, the humidity and moisture of the air have an impact on metallic objects. The underside of your RV carriage is also made of metal. The grass is a type of plant, and plants release water into the atmosphere by a process called transpiration.
When your RV is sitting on top of this grass, the moisture from the grass is directly going to come in contact with the underside.
The vapor will condense and stick to the place, making it wet. Metals will rust over time anyway, but doing this will accelerate the speed of rusting to a great extent.
You might not realize the effect of it immediately. But over time, this can destroy the mechanical integrity of the vehicle and lead to serious structural and functional failures.
The Sinking of the RV Tire
You already know that RVs are one of the heaviest vehicles out there, weighing around 5200 pounds on average. There are weights attached to your wheels, and it’s important to take them off when you park your RV.
But if you don’t do that, then the wheels of your RV are bound to sink into the soft grass due to the excess weight. You can imagine what kind of issue that would cause.
When you want to start driving on grass again, it will be difficult for you to get the RV out. If you leave the RV there for prolonged periods, then the wheels might even become cemented in the hard mud.
The Grass Under the RV Will Dry Out
Grass, just like any other green plant, needs sunlight to produce food by the process of photosynthesis. In the absence of sunlight, the grass will dry up and die. Parking car on grass means that you are blocking sunlight from reaching the grass that is right beneath the vehicle. This grass will become yellow and die.
When you move the vehicle, you will notice a rectangular patch of yellow land in place of where your RV was. Of course, the grass will grow back to green after a week or so. But if the vehicle is parked on your property, or someone else’s, then it will look quite bad for a while.
How to Park Your RV on Grass
There might be situations where you have no other choice but to park your RV on grass and you can’t even think of the question,”is parking on grass bad for tires?”
In that case, instead of doing it like normal, you can try out some tricks to minimize the damage to your vehicle, as well as your surrounding environment. Here are some parking on grass solutions that you can try out-
Use a Waterproof Barrier
The biggest issue with parking an RV on grass is the moisture wafting off the grass into the underside of the vehicle. To minimize the impact of the moisture, you can install a waterproof barrier between the grass and the undercarriage. This will prevent the condensation of water on the metallic surface to some extent.
You can find different types of such barriers for your RV, and they come in different materials. A plastic sheet is the best option if you are on a budget. You can purchase them online from sites like Amazon, but it’s best to get them from a local hardware store for the size and fittings.
Make a Temporary Surface
You can park on the grass while also not directly parking on it by putting some concrete blocks under the RV and parking it on the concrete. This does mean that the grass will not spread vapor to the car, but the grass will die under the concrete blocks.
However, the blocks will also provide a firm ground for the weight of the RV so that the tires don’t sink into the soft ground. Another benefit that comes along with this solution is that you will notice any kind of seepage or leakage from the transmission immediately.
Using Wooden Blocks
Concrete blocks can be a bit expensive, but wooden blocks are comparatively cheaper. You can use them to prevent your vehicle from sinking into the grass.
If the grass is wet or there are chances of rain, it’s best to ensure that the blocks are thicker and larger in size. Small ones will break or sink anyway.
However, wood can become damaged by moisture easily, so wrapping them with a plastic sheet may help.
Trim the Grass Before Parking
If you can’t do anything about the RV, then just do something about the grass. Find a lawnmower or just a trimmer and clear out the area of land that the RV will occupy when it’s parked there.
If it’s a random piece of land and not someone else’s property, then this shouldn’t be an issue. If you park on your own property, the parking space of the yard should be regularly trimmed.
Use Gravel With Paving Stones
Rainwater runs off gravel easily without causing any pooling, so they can be great if you want to provide rigid support to your RV while also protecting it from moisture. And when you cover one gravel pad with paving stones, you get better durability. These are more friendly for your tires and can easily dissipate the water.
And that’s not all. Paving stones will also provide more compaction and water drainage when you use them alongside grab. So if you park the RV on the grass with gravel, it can prevent moisture on the grass by acting as a barrier.
FAQ
What is the best surface to park an RV on?
A reinforced concrete surface is the best spot to park your RV, especially if you are going to keep it there for a while. Concrete remains rock-solid even during the summer, unlike asphalt.
Should you cover your RV tires?
It’s a great idea to cover your RV tires when you’re not on the move, especially during winter. The heat from the sun can age the tires faster, so it will be useful. It will also protect your tires from rain and snow.
Why should I lift the weight of RV tires off the ground?
The weight of your entire RV will be concentrated on the tires if you have kept it parked for a long time in a single spot. In this case, localized pressure damage known as flat-spotting will be caused. This will damage your tires, and you will have to change them.
Conclusion
An RV is a great vehicle to have with you when you go camping or on any long-distance journey. However, parking this large and sensitive vehicle can become quite a headache. So, is parking on grass bad for tires? It is, but not if you know the correct way to park it, which you do now!
