Changing flat tires?

Thanks for all of the info, we have Roadside Ass. but my wife says I'm very impatient. Great idea on a practice round of changing a tire. Also I am getting TPMS system, researching that now, with a 38' Outback I'm concerned that the signal from the tires will reach the truck, probably needs to be another post. Thanks

I have posted my thoughts on tire change many times.
First, pick a nice day, and change a tire at home. This will make sure you have what is needed, and know where it is and how to use it. Don't want to have school in the dark and rain with traffic blasting by.
Next thought; To work most jacks likely to be carried, you need to be mostly under the vehicle. Not a issue, you can watch the jack, and if it falls you have as much room as you crawled into. But often somebody will jack it up, get the flat off, and discover need to go up a little bit more. Do you put the flat back on, or take the chance?
IMHO, a much better plan is pull that flat up on blocks so the center of axle is a little higher than when setting on inflated tire. Then put jack under, and lift until the block will move. Crawl out, remove block and flat. You will have room to put spare on. As a bonus, you don't need to pump or crank the jack near as far.

wowens79 wrote:
Had on blow drivers side on the interstate. Luckily a wide should, but it was like 95 degrees and humid in South Carolina. My 16 year old and I coordinated our plan before getting out of the truck. He started loosening lugs with the 4 way while I jacked. I handed home the spare as he pulled the shredded one off, slapped the new one on and dropped the Jack down. Back on the road in less than 10 min.

Pit Crew :D

I run truck tires on my trailer and have never had a tire issue. I do carry a spare, a 1/2" drive hammer gun, and a 8 ton bottle jack. Come to think of it the only tire issue I've ever had was a blow out on my truck from a bad valve stem.

Had on blow drivers side on the interstate. Luckily a wide should, but it was like 95 degrees and humid in South Carolina. My 16 year old and I coordinated our plan before getting out of the truck. He started loosening lugs with the 4 way while I jacked. I handed home the spare as he pulled the shredded one off, slapped the new one on and dropped the Jack down. Back on the road in less than 10 min.

For those of you that rely on roadside assistance, what do you do when you don't have cell phone service? When I purchased my TT the first thing I did when I got home was repack the bearings. I found that my oversized trucker's t-bar would not fit onto the lug nuts because the wheels shape. I switched to carrying a set of deep well sockets and a 30" breaker bar. I also carry a 6 ton jack and blocks.
I have used my equipment more often to help someone along the road than on my own vehicles. It is only March and I have stopped 3 times already this year.

Yup, as stated, i carry extra wood and blocks, 2 jacks and flares. You never kbow qhat you will need, and you never know if the spit you need to change the tire on is level. So, the extra wood bocks and jack. I also pack a tire plug kit , and a compresser.

With my homemade ramp I can change a tire very quickly...and do.

trailernovice wrote:
Changing your own is all well and good....and I (as I'm sure others have), have had the thrilling experience of changing a shredded tire along the highway...but that was passenger side....we're often on roads with minimal shoulder or no shoulder at all....not sure I'd be comfortable changing a driver-side flat on a trailer alongside a secondary road...my body exposed to any idiot who happens to be texting or drunk or whatever...might, if ever faced with that, consider some sort of roadside assistance...me and my family safe and out of the way

I just keep a four-way and a small hydraulic floor jack under the kitchen table

Would be better to limp along until you find a wide spot, or parking lot, so that you won't be exposed to traffic. But while you are at it change both of them, because with only one carrying the load. It will be damaged, and can blow at any time.. That is why I carry 2.
Yes I have has schredded tires on both sides. All three in their fourth year. Never again will I run a Trailer tire into its 4th year. The come off at the beginning of the fourth year, before the first trip.

If I had a roadside service, I would call and let them change the tire. But I'd also be prepared to change it myself when/if the roadside service couldn't/wouldn't show up. That has happened to me. Luckily I had the necessary equipment.

FWIW, I used an 8 ton bottle jack on my toyhauler and it was working to lift the wheel. I'd be skeptical of a 3 ton, until I actually had tried it out.