Winter is coming (cue the dramatic music).

With many of us less fortunate ones to live where temperatures do not remain stable and drop to less ideal conditions for the Z, it seems like a lot of members are putting their Z's away for hibernation. In the past, I would throw a set of rollers on the Z with some trash tires so that I wouldn't get any flat spots on the performance tires for the warmer weather. I'm curious if anyone has used FlatStoppers by Race Ramps, and if so, any constructive feedback on them. Supposedly, they should reduce the chances of your tires developing flat spots based on the curvature as if they're sitting in a cradle.



Link

I would need to get the 14 inch wide storage ramps since they accommodate a tire up to 12" and currently priced at $289 for the set of four.

Yes - I know. Almost $300 for some curved plastic/high density foam seems extremely overpriced and outrageous, but that's about the price of two tires as opposed to having to buy four new tires if they get ruined by sitting for an extended period of time. Sure, there are some knockoffs and generic versions at a fraction of the price, but most reviews complain about them sliding while you're trying to drive onto them.

I've already got a pair of their wheel cribs which would basically serve the same purpose of reducing the chance of flat spots and I could snag another pair for about half the price of the FlatStoppers, but then I would need to raise the Z onto them and it would be preferable to just drive onto them without breaking out the floor jack. Yeah... first world problems.

Anyone use them?

 

I live in PA and put my Z up each winter. I cut some carpet pieces to put under the tires and slightly over-inflate the tires, haven't developed a flat spot yet.

 

Again, another "winter topic" I shouldn't be replying to but a question/hypothetical.... you don't have enough space to back the car out then re-park in the garage? That should be enough to allay your fears of flat spotting. Especially if you do what was recommended above, overinflate the tires a bit.

Honestly though, modern tires, especially ultra and max performance tires don't flat spot that easily due to the stiff tire sidewalls and body plies. My cars are parked for sometimes months at a time with no issues. But at least I can say this: RaceRamps have a good rep - I use low ones to give me jack clearance - and I see them all over the paddock so they must have a decent rep. Mine do not slip, unlike a set of other (wanna say Rhino but don't recall 100% due to my age) ramps I had for a bit before returning them because they slipped.

 

My PS4S do ok and I never put anything under them, but I put the rear on plastic ramps and the front up on jack stands so it's technically not on the ground. If you are going to spend that much might as well buy wheel cradles, I vote for a piece of rubber and/ or carpet

 

I see you, Mic. The preemptive age-related joke.

Thanks for the comments/feedback. There are lots of alternatives to the flatstoppers, and I can definitely move the Z around in the new garage or use some type of thick foam/rubber/carpet pads (actually done that in the past). I was just curious if anyone had splurged on a set and had some real world experience.

 

Glad you caught that. But why not.... your eyesight isn't deteriorating like my ancient vision.

All in all, would think that there's other goodies you can buy with that money. Like maybe part of payment on some jewelry for Liz? Should I tell her you said that? Uh huh..... I'm sure I can find her email address. "Old", indeed... aging like a devilish old fox, that is.

 

i read that as asian vision the first time... made me chuckle

 

"Ancient Asian vision". Hmmm, not sure how it could get much worse. Thanks, Trav.



It's OK, people, let's clarify... this isn't racist since it was said in a self deprecating way. Laff....

 

As a Z owner who lives in Colorado, and a race ramp user (for my trailer), here's my $0.02. Despite sub-zero temps throughout the winter, I don't do much to prevent flat spots in my garage. Sure, tire pressures go up, but that's more to adapt to falling temps. Even with snow storms blowing through town, there's always a time to get the Z out to keep the battery charged and the BFG G-Force A/S2 tires in good shape. And while race ramps make a good product, the flat spot cradles are not something I plan to invest in anytime soon.

 

$289 would indeed be part of payment on some jewelry.

C'mon Mic, we're not in your childhood days when you could run down to the local five and dime and pick up a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread for a quarter (still managed to get an age-related joke in there)

Thanks DK. Yeah, it seems like these are more of a marketing gimmick than anything else. From the responses, it seems like nobody on here uses them.

 

What's a "five and dime"? Is that like a parking meter or something? (Which don't take coins anymore... ehhh, aging myself.)

Oh, wait, one dem Woolworth or Kress places. (Yep, dated myself there yet again, not making much of a case for myself, am I?) Those replaced with a "dollar store"?

Interestingly, headed out of town to celebrate another trip around the sun this weekend. Hmm, guess I'll be up to that old Beatles song... but feeling like the inverse or less! And that is a good thing!