Flat Tire Repair

[Dura_Mike]

An open question to the great Wahzoo, aka Flat Tire Master: This question has likely been asked before, but I did not find an answer with my search. What do you use to jack the truck when replacing the flat tire? Do you use the stock vehicle jack? Or do you carry an after market jack, e.g. a bottle jack? Do you use the camper jacks to take the weight off of the truck? Have you tried the tire plug kits, at least to get back into town?

[jmckelvy]

MN Ben wrote:
In addition to the above repair question for the 19.5 tires, can anyone recomend a good 12 volt compressor. Or mention one NOT to buy.
Ben

I've had good results with a Slime brand compressor. It looks just like the VIAIR compressors. Similar to the one here.

http://www.viaircorp.com/300P.html

[Buzzcut1]

MN Ben wrote:
In addition to the above repair question for the 19.5 tires, can anyone recomend a good 12 volt compressor. Or mention one NOT to buy.
Ben

I've tried a few 12 volt compressors and found them to be fairly useless. I always carry my Honda 2000 and so picked up a 120V compressor so much better than a 12v in filling my tires. the 12v could barely hit 80 psi and that took forever. the 120v I now have went from 80 psi to 110 in just a few minutes.

[MN_Ben]

In addition to the above repair question for the 19.5 tires, can anyone recomend a good 12 volt compressor. Or mention one NOT to buy.
Ben

[Ramp_Digger]

I also carry a two stage bottle jack, it has an extended lift range.It is the jack that came new with my F-550 work truck.I have changed tires on our dodge DRW 3500 and camper With the factory screw jack without problems but Personally the bottle jack just seams a bit more dependable and with the higher capacity rating it is much easier to operate. I also use my 2x6 leveling boards to extend lift range if needed.
On another note for you folks with 19.5 G or H rated tires,I have tried to make emergency repairs with the temporary plug kits.I never was very successful with getting the plugs to pass through the injury without destroying them,I guess there are so many steel plies they are very tough.I purchased a high quality plug kit from a tire dealer that repairs tires on the big rigs,still only had limited success.Any one else had this problem or is it something I am doing wrong?

[PRodacy]

Anyone know how much weight the factory jacks are rated to handle? My bottle jack doesn't really have enough range to lift the truck very well.

[trail-explorer]

dadwolf2 wrote:

Buzzcut1 wrote:
I think a lot of us carry Bottle jacks, jacking pads, plugs, and compressors just in case we get more than one flat in the boonies.

X2

I need a compressor.

[jmckelvy]

Gruffy wrote:
Dodge stock jack will lift my camper .... put on spare and go.

X2. Have had to change tires at least 3 times. No problem lifting the truck and camper. I do carry leveling boards which can do double duty as a jack pad if needed.

[Photomike]

I know this does not work in the boonies but roadside assistance is my preferred method :B.

Go in the back, call, have a snack, wait till they arrive, watch them do it, get on the way.

Of course I am the guy that last time I got a flat on my SUV I had it changed before my wife got the phone number out for AMA.

I do recommend carrying at least a small compressor as many slow flats can be handled with a top up and a careful drive to the shop.

[Golden_HVAC]

Remember on a hill, the emergency brake of many trucks is now on the transmission.

When the tire "Pros" at Goodyear branch jacked up my motorhome, it started rolling into the street because my emergency brake is on the transmission. The guy was not smart enough to let the jack back down, just panic and followed my motorhome towards the street, jack handle still in his hand! So block the tires too!

When my motorhome needed to have a tire changed on the side of the freeway, I used the leveling jacks to level the RV, then the bottle jack is much easier and faster to raise the 6,000 pound dual rear wheels. Also the vehicle was not rocking with each passing truck!

At my work, they plug tires all the time, very quickly, without needing to remove the tire at all! When I was headed to Alaska, I bought a tire plug kit. After all these years, the glue is probably bad, but otherwise will work.

Good luck,

Fred.

[BradW]

bka0721 wrote:
I use a bottle jack, rated for and exceeding the weight of my axle/camper combined. Plus the appropriate Jack board (Sandy locations) wrenches and cheater bar. As well as pug kit, extra valve cores.

Ditto. We also take a 12v air compressor with us. Occasionally I have plugged the tire still on the truck/trailer, aired up and continued on.

One other thing. If you happen to tow a dual axle trailer, you can take a small leveling ramp and pull the good tire up on it high enough to pull the flat tire without using a jack.

[dadwolf2]

Buzzcut1 wrote:
I think a lot of us carry Bottle jacks, jacking pads, plugs, and compressors just in case we get more than one flat in the boonies.

X2

[bka0721]

Dura Mike, you ask a very good question and timely. While it has been discussed, it is always a good reminder, just like being sure to take your gloves with you.

I use a bottle jack, rated for and exceeding the weight of my axle/camper combined. Plus the appropriate Jack board (Sandy locations) wrenches and cheater bar. As well as pug kit, extra valve cores.

While you will get responsed about using your camper jacks to lift the truck camper up, to lighten the load of the truck to change the tire. But, remember, many flats happen in the least safest location, so getting it done and out of there is often a decision one needs to make. So having a Bottle Jack, couple of tools happen pretty fast. Also, the driveway test practice pays dividends when the real thing might happen.

Again, good question and important for all of us to think about, once in a while.

b

[MN_Ben]

I have my factory bottle jack and use all the safety knowlage I can muster when changing my tire. I checked my spare last month and I am quite confident it will not hold up with all the weather cracks in it.

[Buzzcut1]

I think a lot of us carry Bottle jacks, jacking pads, plugs, and compressors just in case we get more than one flat in the boonies. I also have to carry a special lug wrench for my 19.5s and a 150 foot pound rated big, long, torque wrench to get the lugs on and off.