Will we need a bigger truck jack?

AKSuperDually wrote:

artguys wrote:
Buy a Post/Bottle jack...minimum 12 ton. I carry a 20 ton...the larger the easier it is to jack. And always carry along small block of wood to place under any kind of jack.

I also carry a 20 ton bottle jack with me. Often, I take a farm jack as well...works awesome for trailers and multiple other uses.

I too use a Bottle Jack, for a couple of reasons. First my F550 is really heavy and I don’t want to trust the Factory Jack or take the time to get it from behind the back seat and assemble it. Going with that theme, I don’t want to take the time to lift the Camper off, making sure it is supported on gravel shoulders and level so it won’t shift, while it is up. Who can figure whether you are going to have a flat on a windy day?

The other important point, is you have dually as I do, so you already have a jack ready to use, for some of the tires. If you were to get a flat on the outside duallys, just get a few of your ramps and drive the tire that is “not” flat up on the ramp/s to get it high enough to remove and install the spare. Then drive off of it, put them away, as well as the flat and you are good to go. (Sadly, all my back tire flats have always been the inside dually. You can start feeling the tire going flat as you will start feeling a vibration.

One small tool that is really handy to have is a; Stanley Wonder Bar (Home Depot/Lowes). One of the problems, for those of us with the 19.5” tires especially, is getting the Spare tire up and centered enough to get on the Wheel Studs. Take the Wonder Bar, put it vertical next to the tire, with the short bend under the spare tire to the depth of the small bend end. Then pull down on the long end and it will lift the tire up to any height you need. Also, if the holes in the rim don’t line up perfectly with the studs, while the tire is lifted off the ground, turn the Wonder Bar left or right, as needed, and it will rotate the tire clockwise or counterclockwise. Handy tool, just like the Bottle Jack is. For me, I just open the door, there is the bottle back front and center in the storage cabinet, as well as the Wonder Bar and I have written the socket size for both the truck and trailer on the inside door so I don’t need to fumble to find which ones work.(No doubt you know a lot of this, but others following this thread might find it helpful.)

Have fun, Truck Camping is a grin!

b

AKSuperDually wrote:
I was so pumped about that, I went out and fixed it in about 12 minutes.

Glad to help!

Im not waiting on a tow truck as long as I can avoid it for a simple tire change?
That said, if they cant access your spare then what?

Reading this caused me to remembere, last time I was in glove box I didnt see key. had forgotten. Figured Id better locate while thinking about it. Started looking, then turned tore half the truck apart. Finally found it, must have laid on seat-it was under the console-wedged behind seat leg. that could have been fun. Wrote down the key numbers off package into owners manual. But then I started thinking, last time I had spare off the key barely engaged...so checked-nope no engagement. let the air out of spare, trying to unbolt the jack-this should be fun.

Edit: -getting close to cutting the cable because unbolting jack with tire was only possible with hand thru the wheel uh-uh, -but, well its amazing what you can find online. I went ahead an pulled hoist to clean up after dropping tire. Disassembly revealed what looked like a piece of tar, a tiny piece but packed in the groove keeping the key from engaging-its history. Welding up a new 'key'.

If it hadnt been for this thread jogging my memory about my key not being in the glove box.... this would have been royal pain on side of road.

I just call roadside assistance, unless I am out of cell phone range, I have changed my last flat.

Also carry a small hydraulic bottle jack in camper.
The jack that came with our truck works great on the boat because it so short, even then its painful. Simple screw bottle jack.
I don't know what its rated for but I have never used on the truck. I still carry but I wouldn't trust it. I also carry a breaker bar, ext and socket specifically for changing tire. Breaking 150#+ with factory L wrench -nope- not even trying.

Ive yet to need to change a flat with the camper on. I'd raise camper with its jacks, but only after popping the tie downs loose. I don't want camper jacks or structure to see any additional weight of truck, or in my case a misplaced jack that slips off- :( and end up with truck hanging. Never happened.

One of those good driveway exercises to see what you actually need to do to be able to change a tire with camper on. And yes accessing spare.

AKSuperDually wrote:

jimh425 wrote:

AKSuperDually wrote:
I've never had a "key" to the spare, so I've always considered it unusable.

There are a few YouTube videos and threads on fordtrucks that show how to get by this issue using a bolt extractor socket to let down the tire and pop the lock out with screwdriver, so you can use the jack handle end. My new to me truck didn't have a key either.

I'm going to check that out! Thanks a ton, I've had this truck for 10 years...and never gotten the spare down. I'd like to dump the weight since I can't use it.

I was so pumped about that, I went out and fixed it in about 12 minutes.
Thanks again for the tip! I have had a set of those bolt extractors in my toolbox for years, use them frequently, and never thought to go that route. My spare is back to usable status! Amazingly.....after likely 14 years...there was still 40psi in the spare. I've owned the truck for 10 and I know it's never been checked since I've owned it.

jimh425 wrote:

AKSuperDually wrote:
I've never had a "key" to the spare, so I've always considered it unusable.

There are a few YouTube videos and threads on fordtrucks that show how to get by this issue using a bolt extractor socket to let down the tire and pop the lock out with screwdriver, so you can use the jack handle end. My new to me truck didn't have a key either.

I'm going to check that out! Thanks a ton, I've had this truck for 10 years...and never gotten the spare down. I'd like to dump the weight since I can't use it.

artguys wrote:
Buy a Post/Bottle jack...minimum 12 ton. I carry a 20 ton...the larger the easier it is to jack. And always carry along small block of wood to place under any kind of jack.

I also carry a 20 ton bottle jack with me. Often, I take a farm jack as well...works awesome for trailers and multiple other uses.

Buy a Post/Bottle jack...minimum 12 ton. I carry a 20 ton...the larger the easier it is to jack. And always carry along small block of wood to place under any kind of jack.

I was under the impression the jack supplied with the truck could lift the truck at it's rated GVWR. Is that not true? (I understand the concern if your truck and camper are over the GVWR but if they are under?)