Proudly Canadian Since 1998
Late September in Guelph has a rhythm to it. The leaves start turning along the Speed River, the University of Guelph campus fills back up, and every garage and driveway along Highway 401 suddenly has a set of tires sitting in it. Swap season is here, which means one question comes up in households all over the city: where do you actually put the tires you are not using?
If your off-season tires are living in the corner of your garage, stacked on your balcony, or tucked into a storage room that barely fits them, it is worth rethinking the plan. Rubber is tougher than it looks, but it is also pickier than most people realise. Store tires the wrong way and you shorten their life or turn your limited home space into an obstacle course.
Why the Garage or Balcony Is a Bad Idea
The garage feels like the obvious answer, but it comes with problems. Tires are bulky, and a set of four (or eight, if your household runs two cars) eats a surprising amount of floor space. In a single-car garage that already holds bikes, tools, and the lawn mower, tire stacks quickly become the thing you shuffle around every time you need something else.
Temperature swings are the bigger issue. An unheated garage cycles between cold nights and warm afternoons all through the shoulder seasons, and that constant expansion and contraction ages rubber faster. Balconies and outdoor sheds are worse: direct UV light degrades sidewalls quickly, and Guelph’s freeze-thaw cycles add moisture and ice to the mix.
Tire Hotel Costs Add Up
Many tire shops in town offer tire hotel storage, and it is convenient. But convenience has a yearly price tag, and it recurs every single year you own a car. If you already need extra space for other seasonal items, a self storage unit often makes more sense than paying per-season tire storage plus still finding room for everything else at home.
How a 5×5 Unit Handles Your Tires
A 5×5 storage unit is the sweet spot for tire storage. The 25 square feet of floor space comfortably holds two to three full sets of tires with room left over for tire totes, a floor jack, or a bin of seasonal gear. Because Hanlon Park offers 24/7 coded access, you are not racing the shop’s closing time on swap day. You can roll in early on a Saturday morning, grab your winter set, and be at the garage before the line forms.
All three Hanlon Park locations are right in Guelph, including the 56 Kirkby Court facility, so you are never far from your tires when the first snowfall warning hits and everyone suddenly remembers their all-seasons are still on.
How to Store Tires Properly
A little prep goes a long way. Follow these steps and your tires will come out of storage in the same condition they went in.
Clean and dry every tire
Wash off road grime, brake dust, and especially road salt before storing. Salt left sitting on rubber and rims corrodes over months. Let the tires dry completely; moisture trapped in storage is an invitation to mould.
Use tire totes
Tire totes or large bags keep each tire clean, make stacks easier to move, and protect your car’s interior on swap day when you are transporting them.
Stack flat if unmounted, upright if on rims
Tires without rims should be stacked flat, one on top of another, to avoid deforming the beads. Tires mounted on rims are better stored standing upright. Either way, keep them away from direct sunlight, even inside the unit, by facing the stack away from any light source or covering it.
Keep them cool, dry, and away from chemicals
Choose a unit that stays dry, and keep tires away from solvents, fuels, and electric motors that produce ozone. If your tires or other sensitive items would benefit from a steadier environment, ask about climate-controlled units when you book.
Check pressure before reinstalling
Tires lose a little air over months of sitting. Check and top up the pressure when you mount them again, and give the tread and sidewalls a quick visual inspection for cracks or bulges.
The 24/7 Access Advantage on Swap Day
The single biggest practical perk of storing tires yourself is access on your terms. Hanlon Park’s 24/7 coded access and well-lit, video-monitored buildings mean a 6 a.m. tire run before work is perfectly doable. No waiting for a tire hotel to open and no appointment to book.
Drive-up access makes the heavy lifting easier too. You can back right up to your unit, load the winter set, and unload the summer set in one trip. For anyone storing a vehicle itself for the season, the same principle applies; read our guide on how to properly store your vehicle for the winter season and consider pairing your vehicle storage with space for its tires.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sets of tires fit in a 5×5 unit?
A 5×5 unit comfortably holds two to three full sets of car tires, stacked with tire totes, plus room for a few small extras like a jack or seasonal bins.
Should tires be stored on rims or off?
Both work. Store unmounted tires stacked flat, and tires on rims standing upright. Clean them, keep them dry, and keep them out of sunlight either way.
Is a storage unit better than a tire hotel?
It depends on your needs. A tire hotel is simple but you pay every season and you are bound to the shop’s hours. If you also need space for bikes, patio furniture, or other seasonal items, one storage unit with 24/7 access usually covers everything at once.
Can I access my tires outside business hours?
Yes. Hanlon Park facilities offer 24/7 coded access, so you can grab your tires early in the morning or late at night whenever swap day arrives.
