Tire Changing?

Sivymp1 · 07-03-2014, 05:42 PM

Headed to KC in 2 weeks, been thinking about what happens if I get a flat along the way. I have a floor jack but will it be enough? Whats teh best way to change a trailer tire? I have seen the ones you can drive up on but I think my axels are independant and it wont work.

mazboy123 · 07-03-2014, 07:20 PM

bring a number of different length 2X6s.

or better yet join good sams or some other organization.

KYFamily · 07-03-2014, 07:40 PM

I carry a 6 ton bottle jack just in case. Small and works real well. Hope I never have to use it though.

Ken / Claudia · 07-03-2014, 08:04 PM

What ever you do think about the danger you put yourself in being on the left side of a stopped vehicle on the shoulder. Vehicles passing you just several feet away at highway speeds. Get as far to the right as possible. Too many stop on the white line and open doors or walk into the traffic without thinking.

Sivymp1 · 07-04-2014, 06:11 AM

Oh I know getting over on the right is a big deal. As a Deputy Sheriff I have had the close calls of people not moving over. Scary.

**JRTJH** · 07-04-2014, 06:18 AM

With your trailer near GVW, you'll be lifting nearly 3500 pounds on one side of your trailer to change a tire. That will put you over the load limit of a number of floor jacks, so make sure the one you pack is rated to lift enough to raise your trailer. It's often difficult to block/brace and maneuver a floor jack with small steel wheels in loose gravel/dirt or mud. You might want to think about a small hydraulic jack that will work better and take up much less space.

Whatever you decide, do a "dry run" in the driveway to make sure you've got the tools to actually do the job, then put those tools in your RV. Nothing is more frustrating than getting the jack, spare tire, blocks and chocks out, only to find out your lug wrench isn't the right size......

MarkS · 07-04-2014, 06:31 AM

If you use a floor jack, be careful where you put it under the trailer. The manual says to jack the frame rather than the axel. There are lots of forum posts on that subject. And lots of disagreement on that subject.

hankaye · 07-04-2014, 06:42 AM

Sivymp1, Howdy;

If you have a WD set-up for your TT disconnecting it will be a big help,
that way you won't be fighting it as you jack up one side.

hankaye

Watt · 07-04-2014, 09:46 AM

Just had to change a separated tire on the curbside, our Traileraid ramp worked well, but will still get a jack at first opportunity.

gearhead · 07-05-2014, 03:29 AM

X2 on the TrailerAid. It worked well on my Cougar with 15" wheels. But it will not quite get the Montana 16" wheel completely off the ground. And, the TrailerAid is the larger size of the two. May have to use a jack or put a piece of 1" x 6" under it to get it high enough.

bwright · 07-05-2014, 04:04 AM

X3 on the Traileraid, had to use it once and it performed perfect.

Jim & DJ · 07-05-2014, 06:22 AM

X2

Join Good Sam road service.
Best move I ever made.

Used it twice in 3 years
and was well worth it.

ocbms · 08-06-2014, 11:28 AM

Bottle Jacks are fine with out the gusting winds but big vehicles going by at 75 MPH (10 MPH over speed limit) caused me to call Emergency Road Service. My reflective triangles mean nothing. Only after the big service truck arrived did traffic move to the left. The service man had a big floor jack.

howard · 08-06-2014, 01:15 PM

I've done it, but it is VERY dangerous on the Interstate. It is not worth it. Get the Good Sam Road Club (AAA does not cover RV's). Watch how they park their service truck to protect themselves on the shoulder. Some even have a flashing light mounted on a dolly that they put on the shoulder that a sleepy driver has to hit before they hit the service truck!
Also give serious consideration to getting a tire pressure monitoring system. They are well worth the cost...and peace of mind!

MadMax · 08-06-2014, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearhead

X2 on the TrailerAid. It worked well on my Cougar with 15" wheels. But it will not quite get the Montana 16" wheel completely off the ground. And, the TrailerAid is the larger size of the two. May have to use a jack or put a piece of 1" x 6" under it to get it high enough.

Gearhead,
I just got (and tried) my Trailer Aid and had to use a 2 x 6 under it but it worked fine.

zuley · 08-06-2014, 02:53 PM

Lost count. X whatever on the Trailer Aid. Go to YouTube and do a search. I purchased one after watching the vid. Paid 80 bucks for mine in Ontario, Canada but have since read or talked to people to have paid substantially less. Don't care, it works great. It gets loaded into the rear of the truck whenever we head out.

gearhead · 08-06-2014, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMax

Gearhead,
I just got (and tried) my Trailer Aid and had to use a 2 x 6 under it but it worked fine.

I need to do a dry run in the driveway before the September trip. Did the TrailerAid try to slip/slide on the 2 x 6?

zuley · 08-07-2014, 03:14 AM

My trailer aid came with 2 bolt heads mounted on the underside that dig into whatever you have it mounted on to prevent any slip. When using it in my driveway I have to put a piece of plywood under it to prevent the bolts from digging into my driveway.

Desert185 · 08-07-2014, 08:35 AM

Andersen Hitches offers a similar product as the Trailer Aid, and with a kit of other items handy for trailer use, if desired. A good bottle jack and the Good Sam rescue service still seem like good backups, though.

www.andersenhitches.com

kellydog98 · 08-09-2014, 06:03 AM

Definately buy a trailer ramp. I just place it in front of the good tire and pull forward or backwards to lift the flat tire up. Even better, add roadside assistance to your current insurance policy. It covers tire changes, gas aide, towing, and lock outs. Usually only cost about $2-3 dollars montly. It's well worth it. Just used it in Tennesee last week.

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