What jack do you use in case of a flat?

What ever way you choose to use to jack a axle with a flat tire make a dry run at home especially with those trailer aids. Many folks found out while sitting on the side of the road it didn't raise the wheel with the flat. They simply don't work on all trailers as advertised.

I use a 12 ton shorty truckers special. Its made for sliding under one end of the axle on a std leaf suspension and lifting the end of the axle instead the whole side of the trailer. Much safer.

The jack has a extra wide base (10" x 10") for soft surfaces on the side of the road. Its lifted fully load axles up to 10k.

Lots of myth on RV websites about jacking from a axle on a leaf spring suspension. The biggest issue would be if the jack was placed in the center of the axle between the wheels. If the trailer is heavy enough the axle may bend. If the jack is placed close to the axles U bolts then nothing gets bent or crushed.

Makes that test run at home.

There are all kinds of different types of trailer aids to choose from that will fit your needs for your TT. When I was towing my horse trailers I wouldn't leave home without one of these on board for the trip!

Since I have a tandem axle trailer I don't mess with jacks. I loosen the lugs, pull the wheel next to the flat up on blocks, chock the wheels on the opposite side, and change out the tire. No need to worry about correct jack placement, and no lying on the ground to get it there.

westend wrote:
I carry a small bottle jack, chocks, a stand, and some lumber.

X2

EcoBullet wrote:
Thanks to all. What is a trailer aide?

Answering your specific question -> Trailer Aide

l have one which I have never used since (knock on wood) I have not yet had a flat on my RV.

I have an aluminum floor jack. I pull the handle out of it when in the storage bay so that it isn't so long, and with the handle I have plenty of 'reach' to get the jack under the trailer axle or use it somewhere on the truck. It is faster than a bottle because I don't need to block up the jack or unscrew the adjuster to make up the difference in the gap. The downside is that it takes up a lot more room than a bottle.

EcoBullet wrote:

mhardin wrote:
I use one like this:

I presume you pull the other tire onto this?

Yes.

Which ever one the road side assistance guy brings. :)

I had a GY Marathon go bad on the way to Disney. I was really lucky I caught it before it blew. I used my leveling blocks to change it out in a rest area. The temp was high 90s, and the humidity was probably the same--whew.

It was not as simple as having a jack, and I wished I did.

6 Ton bottle jack, placed under axel between spring shackle 'U' bolts. Only lifting the 1 wheel so no need to lift entire side of 5er from frame. Trailer Aid will not work on our rig since it has the Mor/Ryde suspension. Use this method each spring when inspecting brakes and repacking wheel bearings. Damage can only occur when lifting by the axel if you place the jack to far toward the center of the axel (center of trailer). When placed by the spring shackle toward the wheel no damage will occur.