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mangchibike's avatar
mangchibike
Explorer
Jun 11, 2013

flat tire

I just picked up brand new tt (2014 outback 250RS) from a dealer and stopped my home then went to friend's house for storage (total 70 miles) and when i went back following week to try out camping, there is flat tire (no one notice cuz it was covered). So I tried to remove it using 7/8 deep socket (the manual says use 7/8 or 13/16) and i stripped a wheel lug nut so i stop and pump the air and went to local tire shop but it took them 4 hour to remove and fix flat... (well it was small parking lot, and i had to park side of the street and they had to bring all the tool and it was 95 degree day)

By doing this I had to buy all the tool from deep socket, torque wrench, air pump.. everything..

So i made a first trip and went back home check the tire pressure and it did loose more than half (62 to 30). I just could not believe.. so I tried to order new tire from a rv dealer and to get the same tire they don't even know how long it is going to take... (trailer king ST225/75R15 load range D I think they only deal with towmax tires)

So here is the questions
1. can I use different brand tires? I don't think it make a diffrence..
2. why is tt doesn't come with jack and wheel lug nut wrench like cars?
3. I tried to talk to dealer and keystone directly requesting new wheel lug nuts (6 of them) and denied, even though the manual say ues 7/8. The service dept. says use 13/16.
4. this kind siuation what would u recommends? fixing yourself or emergency road service by insurance co? (found out later i could)
5. Do you check tire wheel lug nuts torque pressure often? (manual says so,, but most cars we don't and i don't want to touch them again:)

I just want to get this over,, change new tire and wheel nuts..
Thank you in advance
  • newk's avatar
    newk
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2013
    You don't need a new tire for a slow leak. As rhagfo says, it could just be a bad valve. If it's the tire, a plug or patch will make it like new. If it's the wheel, you want to know that.

    Doesn't it have a spare? I'd put that spare on it and take the defective one to the tire shop -- or just pull the whole rig to the tire shop again.

    If you do have to get a new tire (unlikely) I'd get the same kind that's on it. If you need one now for a trip, see if you can't find an old one for a spare just to give you some time for the new one to arrive.

    I've usually used my own muscles and sweat to change tires, but I don't hesitate to call my insurance company for roadside services either. We pay for that insurance, and it doesn't drive up your rates like an accident does.

    I've never had a trailer that came with a jack and tire wrench. I don't know why they don't. I bought my hydraulic jack 45 years ago. It's gotten me through many trucks and campers. Mine cost more in '68 than new ones from Walmart do now.

    Be sure to get (make) some platforms for the jack too, so you have enough lift to get the tire off the ground. I have a couple 2x12x12s nailed together and another couple not nailed that I also use for stabilizer platforms.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Jun 11, 2013
    mangchibike wrote:
    I just picked up brand new tt (2014 outback 250RS) from a dealer ...........So I tried to remove it using 7/8 deep socket (the manual says use 7/8 or 13/16) and i stripped a wheel lug nut so i stop and pump the air and went to local tire shop but it took them 4 hour to remove and fix flat... (well it was small parking lot, and i had to park side of the street and they had to bring all the tool and it was 95 degree day)

    By doing this I had to buy all the tool from deep socket, torque wrench, air pump.. everything..

    So i made a first trip and went back home check the tire pressure and it did loose more than half (62 to 30). I just could not believe.. so I tried to order new tire from a rv dealer and to get the same tire they don't even know how long it is going to take... (trailer king ST225/75R15 load range D I think they only deal with towmax tires)

    So here is the questions
    1. can I use different brand tires? I don't think it make a diffrence..You can use any brand you want, I would replace in pairs at least.
    2. why is tt doesn't come with jack and wheel lug nut wrench like cars? Not aware of any RV trailer that comes with jack or lug wrench.
    3. I tried to talk to dealer and keystone directly requesting new wheel lug nuts (6 of them) and denied, even though the manual say ues 7/8. The service dept. says use 13/16. Service dept. is correct! that manual covers all axles for that line, most likely the largest unit or optional larger axle requires a 7/8". I always use a 6 point socked to remove wheel lugs. Before I put a wrench to it I check for a tight fit. I have a 6 point 13/16" deep socket, and a 1/2" drive breaker bar that is about 18" long for good leverage. I also carry a 1/2" drive 250 ft. Lb. torque wrench when using the trailer.
    4. this kind siuation what would u recommends? fixing yourself or emergency road service by insurance co? (found out later i could. I turn my own wrench most of the time, but if you are not handy, get a good road service package.
    5. Do you check tire wheel lug nuts torque pressure often? (manual says so,, but most cars we don't and i don't want to touch them again:) Yes, I do the stress on trailers wheels are a lot greater than standard car or truck. Watch as you turn there is a lot of side force on them, on top of that, I have a lot of weight on my trailer tires, last tow 9,125# on the four trailer tires.

    I just want to get this over,, change new tire and wheel nuts..
    Thank you in advance


    You might take the wheel and tire to a tire shop and have them test both for a slow leak. The wheel could be defective, or a bad valve. Surprised the tire shop didn't find the issue.

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