Changing Flat Tire

[spepi]

Hi,
It hasnt happened yet, knock on wood, but why doesnt Jayco have some type of jack, and lug nut removal tools supplied with any of their rv's?

What do you all carry with you just incase?

[TWP723]

I use 2x8's stacked accordingly and pull the GOOD wheel onto it, raising the rear...or vice versa. As far as single axle trailers, I'd imagine there has to be a way to jack it. Maybe jack it up, then use stands front and rear of the axle?? IDK.


A regular star wrench from WalMart will do it. That's what I use.

[Murff]

Originally Posted by TWP723

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A regular star wrench from WalMart will do it. That's what I use.

I agree with this part.

Do not use your stabilizing jacks to change a flat. As for a jack, a hydraulic bottle jack on a couple of 4 x 4s will work. Single or double axle, chock the tires on the opposite side of the trailer.

Murff

[schrederman]

I carry an 8-ton bottle jack and a 1.5 ton aluminum floor jack. I have a 24" breaker bar with the right size (3/4) deep socket. I have a bunch of 1' square plywood pieces that I stack up if needed. I also have a 4-way lug wrench but if the rim's on the ground, you can't always get on the nuts easily with it. None of the manufacturers provide anything and even the spare tire and wheel is an option on everything I've seen.

[shadester]

Originally Posted by Murff

I agree with this part.

Do not use your stabilizing jacks to change a flat. As for a jack, a hydraulic bottle jack on a couple of 4 x 4s will work. Single or double axle, chock the tires on the opposite side of the trailer.

Murff

Definitely carry a few pieces of lumber with you. Some single axles are too low with a flat to get a bottle jack under. I've ran the flat up on some lumber pieces several times to get that jack under it.

[BCx213]

http://www.camco.net/product/trailer-aid-10498/
I have one of these and a 4 way foldable tire wrench

[Jagiven]

I assume Jayco does not add a lug wrench or a jack for a couple of reasons; 1) it cost money, and this helps keep the cost down. 2) it adds weight that affects the CCC. 3) They assume there is a jack and lug wrench in the TV. Actually I bet there is a 4th, no one changes a tire anymore, they call roadside assistance.

I have bottle jack in the htt. In my TV, I carry an 18" breaker bar, with deep well sockets that fit each size lug nuts of each vehicle and trailer I own. And I always have a few leveling boards.

[ifallsguy]

12 ton bottle jack, four 4x4x12 for the jack if needed, battery powered impact wrench (400 lbs torque) and 21mm impact socket. Same equipment will work on both TV and TT.

[Cdash]

I have used the stock Jack that is in my F-350 for lifting the trailer axle with the flat. Just place it under the axle as close to the wheel as possible. Other than the fact that it lives under the back seat (where my kids sit and have all of their stuff laid out), it has worked flawlessly.

I also carry a Harbor Freight Lug nut socket set (has 3 double ended sockets for 6 common sizes) in a little red zip up tool pouch and a breaker bar. Sometimes, I'll carry my 18V impact wrench with me.

[campingva]

I have a scissors jack I got out of sn old car to use if needed. I keep it and the lug wrench in the storage area of my Hybrid. Also have a 4 way lug wrench if ever needed.

[sennister]

Originally Posted by Cdash

I have used the stock Jack that is in my F-350 for lifting the trailer axle with the flat. Just place it under the axle as close to the wheel as possible. Other than the fact that it lives under the back seat (where my kids sit and have all of their stuff laid out), it has worked flawlessly.

I also carry a Harbor Freight Lug nut socket set (has 3 double ended sockets for 6 common sizes) in a little red zip up tool pouch and a breaker bar. Sometimes, I'll carry my 18V impact wrench with me.

The other benefit from jacking on the axle is you have to lift it less. If jacking from the frame you have to go higher because the suspension will drop as it goes up.

The problem is bottle jacks typically have a pretty small point of contact so this can mean it can slip off an axle. Also with the tire flat can you get the bottle jack under the axle? Your jack for the F350 may not be a bottle jack but others mentioned this style. So for the OP I would recommend practicing whatever they plan on using. You don't want to be on the side of the road to discover your jack either is too tall to fit under the trailer axle with a flat tire or it doesn't have enough range of motion to lift it from the frame and they lack blocks of wood.

[oldenuftoknowbetter]

I purchased a 'Trailer Aid Plus Tandem Tire Changing Ramp'. It works very well on a tandem axle. I haven't had a flat (knock on wood), but did simulate and it works great. Quick and easy to use. Light weight and takes up very little space.

[schrederman]

I have one of those ramps and it works ok if the wheels are close together. If you have the newer axle set where the wheels are further apart, they don't work so well. It got the affected wheel off the ground just enough to get the jack under it, but not enough for anything else.

[mike837go]

I had a small floor jack in a plastic case that the previous owner of my last chore truck bought.

I added the correct socket and 1/2" breaker bar inside the case.

The whole package is kept in the pass-through storage.

<<Knocks Wood>> haven't needed it yet on the road.

Used it twice already for wheel bearing service.

[spepi]

I have the anderson levelers, and always have wood with me. Just taking the tire off. I have Good Sam Platinum+ but sometimes its quicker to do it yourself if you are in a safe spot. Thanks for all the input. Keep it coming

[RoyBraddy]

If you got enough money to support one of those super big rigs then I would call road service... You certainly don't see many truckers changing out their own tires on the road... All I ever see is them hitting their tires with a big iron stick for some reason...hehe

Time to crack out a couple of beers and wait for road service to show up...

Roy Ken

[Murff]

I bring my transvestite uncle with me on long trips. You would be surprised how fast a transvestite can change attire!

Murff