Storing a Trailer Aid

JRscooby wrote:

JIMNLIN wrote:
One Irv2 member had his trailer aid stored in two different TTs over a 8-9 year period till he had a ruined tire out on the hiway. All those miles and years...and the trailer aid wouldn't raise the flat tire enough to get the spare on. Always make a dry run at home before hitting the road. It could save some grief down the road.

Everybody should change a tire at home on a nice day. In the dark and rain, with traffic wizzing by is not the best time to go to school.
I'm a fan of pulling the flat up on block/ramp, then jack to get ramp out. To often, pull the flat off, then discover need up a little more. That jacking, with no wheel in place gives snot a long way to fall.
Last trailer flat; Stop, see on left. Back to jackknife so flat was center of shoulder, TV still on. Get blocks and triangles out, DW place reflectors while I get flat on block. She gets jack and compressor out while I get spare off rack. She makes sure spare is full, while I break nuts loose. While I jack up and change she makes room in truck bed for the flat. Next place she could get out of traffic, we stopped again, I break nuts loose 1 at time and retorque, clean hands. She is on the net to find a tire shop.

Without doubt! Along the road is no place to find some of your equipment doesn’t work.

When I first got my boat, I found that the center caps on the wheels took a thin wall half inch socket to remove. Imagine discovering that along the highway. Even a tow truck couldn’t have changed my tires.

I do the same with wheel bearings. I service the bearings at home using only equipment I carry in the truck. That includes grease, rags, gloves, tools and spare parts.

Learning is for home when you are in the shade, listening to some tunes and have time and patience. Not having a spare cotter pin is trivial at home, but it can be a minor disaster elsewhere.

My Trailer Aid will not lift my 5th wheel on its own. A little creativity can make it work though.