Changing flat tire

tim1970 wrote:

MFL wrote:


I also carry a trailer-aid, for quick change while traveling.

Jerry

I read that a trailer-aid would not really work on any modern RV's because of the type of suspension. Are you able to get the tire off the ground with this?

I use an aluminum version of THIS trailer aid type wheel lift. It works great on both my 2001 Jayco travel trailer and my 2014 Heartland Elkridge fifth wheel. No jack required!

tim1970 wrote:
I noticed I have a flat tire on my 5th wheel. Since it is sitting in my yard, I figure now would be a good time to figure out the best way to get the wheel off the ground. The instruction manual for my RV says not to jack from the axle, and to use the frame running down the length of the trailer. The only problem I see, is my bottle jack only goes up to 16.5", and the frame is 22" from the ground. That means I am going to need about 8 or 9 inches of height to put under my jack. Would it work to put down a 2X8 and then stack 7 or 8 of my lynx levelers? Any other ideas?

Thanks

Tim

Jack on the axle, between the spring pack u-bolts, or just inboard of the inner u-bolt. IMO, it's a lot safer than having to have a stack of cribbing with a jack on top of that, and it's a whole lot faster. Other option is to use "lego" leveling blocks, a Trailer Aid or simply stack some 2x4 or 2x6 boards in a "stairstep" and drive the good tire up on them. The "don't jack on the axle" is legal CYA by the axle mfrs and the RV mfrs. You head to a shop to have a new set of tires installed and guess where =they= jack? Yep, on the axles, right under the spring perches.

Lyle

I read that a trailer-aid would not really work on any modern RV's because of the type of suspension. Are you able to get the tire off the ground with this?

The trailer aid won't work with a torsion type axle suspension system.......nor is it a good idea to jack from the thin wall square tubes used with a torsion suspension.

I have a 12t (1970s model) shorty hyd jack that slides under the axle tube next to the U bolt. The jack is made just for that purpose as it came with a 10" square base for soft ground on the side of the road and a short leg channel welded to the top of the jack end to keep the jack from slipping.
I bought the jack back then for my hauling business. Its jacked dozens and dozens of fully loaded trailer axles on the side of the road from 3500 lb axles under my tool trailers to 10k axles under my 20k GN flatbed rigged for hauling steel construction beams.

As mentioned earlier make a dry run at home to see if your choice of tire changing equipment actually works.

Five years ago I would have crawled under there (at just 70). Now at 75, Good Sam is worth every minute of wait.

The one time I have ever needed them it took two hours to get there. But then we were two hours South of Tucson, in the middle of nowhere, on Arizona 90.

Took me two hours to get there and took them two hours to catch up with me. Seems fair. The kid did a good job, cheerfully and quickly.

Veebyes wrote:
Lifting by the frame means that you have to lift the distance of travel of the spring as well. Too much work.

Put the bottle jack under the bottom spring leaf. Now all you have to do is lift the wheel off the ground. Loosen the lugs before you start to jack. Makes life much easier. Torque them after the wheel is back on the ground.

My springs are above the axle. So I really don't have a solid platform. So, I might do as suggessted earlier, and cut a small notch out of a 2x4 for the u-bolt and use that.

Lifting by the frame means that you have to lift the distance of travel of the spring as well. Too much work.

Put the bottle jack under the bottom spring leaf. Now all you have to do is lift the wheel off the ground. Loosen the lugs before you start to jack. Makes life much easier. Torque them after the wheel is back on the ground.

rhagfo wrote:

djgarcia wrote:
Changing flat tires is not in my job description:) I just dial my cell phone for Good Sam Emergency Road Service.!!!!!

Yep, and sit and wait, and wait, and wait............

20 minutes tops to change a tire.

That and you are assuming cell phone coverage!

Exactly, I waited an hour and a half one time and finally gave up and changed it myself. They never did show up. The next time it was over three hours. Luckily we discovered it pulling into a campground so we waited them out.

Trailer Aid Plus with a 1x6 under it works for me. I also carry a bottle jack, 4 way lug wrench, socket on a long breakover bar, battery powered impact & socket, and torque wrench.

When you figure out a way that is comfortable for you, make sure you put anything you used in a compartment on the trailer, or in your tow vehicle.

For my TT, I found that the jack for my F250 works great, so I always have it with me.

Also! Make sure you have a lug wrench or socket that will fit the lug nuts on your trailer stored on the trailer (usually with whatever you need to change a tire).

I use the trailer aid plus and one leveling board