Does anyone use caution when racking/storing/transport of their wheels due to the center lock style? I assume a thru bar will never damage the center hub surface but wanted to get opinions and any tricks you use?
for example I’m thinking of thin pvc sheet with center holes to sit in between tires to protect rim face.
G'day Christian,
I use the wheel rack in my Brian James trailer every time I go to the track.
I think you have two questions;
1. How to protect the wheel/rim face? - I use a set of these covers shown in the link at the bottom of the post. They are great and I now store all three sets of my spare wheels in the same... keeps sunlight off the tyre and also saves me having to move the covers onto whatever set I'm loading into the trailer.
Some of the sets come with an additional 'felt' disc that sits under the cover and provides extra protection to the wheel rim, etc. These work really well, but don't have a hole in them for a 'through bar'
2. How to strap/hold the wheels into your rack? - I decided not to use a 'through bar' as there is a small chance that the centre lock nut mating surface could be damaged (right on the inside edge). If I were going to try that method, then I would only do it if I could get a PVC pipe (or similar soft material) over the 'through bar' to prevent to bar damaging the nut mating surface inner edge.
In my case, the wheel covers mentioned in 1. above, have handle straps sewn into them (I have two different types and they al have the same handle straps- you can see them in the link I attached below)
I simply put the wheels into the rack with the handle straps on the top, and then run a ratchet strap from the tyre rack frame up and over the first wheel, through the 4 handle straps and back down onto the rack frame on the other end. Once the ratchet strap is tight they are never going to move or 'jump out'
You can just see the tyres in the rack above the car in this photo (race gear bag is on the left hand end of the rack)
This is helpful!
”get a PVC pipe (or similar soft material) over the 'through bar' to prevent to bar damaging the nut mating surface inner edge.”
I might have my tires open air top
of the ramp truck so a cover both makes sense to keep sunlight/weather off but also might buffet in the wind while driving. Will get one and try it. Thanks!!
