Has anyone had to change a flat tire on your camper before? How did you do it?

rodro123 · 04-25-2018, 06:34 AM

Two summers ago we had the 2011 eagle 322rlds and a tire was flat in the morning when we woke in the campground. I parked on grass but was hard as a rock from lack of rain. I keep a hydraulic floor jack in the back of the truck and wood blocks it worked well but I was wondering if you have something that doesn’t take a lot of room in the back of the truck? How did you change your tire?

The new TT we have has a hydraulic leveling system that I can lift the unit up to change a tire.

rs3678 · 04-25-2018, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodro123

Two summers ago we had the 2011 eagle 322rlds and a tire was flat in the morning when we woke in the campground. I parked on grass but was hard as a rock from lack of rain. I keep a hydraulic floor jack in the back of the truck and wood blocks it worked well but I was wondering if you have something that doesn’t take a lot of room in the back of the truck? How did you change your tire?

The new TT we have has a hydraulic leveling system that I can lift the unit up to change a tire.

I guess in case of an emergency however the reason we don’t get spare tire or tools is because the manufacturer don’t want us to do it. It is very dangerous on a truck that size unless performed by service personnel.

3'senough · 04-25-2018, 07:13 AM

12 ton bottle jack is what I use and my 6 x 6 blocking that I carry. It's compact and fits in my floor board storage compartment.

I would not rely on the auto level to lift the camper in that situation. I also have roadside help should I need reinforcements.

TWP723 · 04-25-2018, 07:17 AM

2x's are the best bet.

Kozmo · 04-25-2018, 07:26 AM

Thankfully, I haven't had to change a flat. The reason I am thankful because I rotated the spare tire onto the trailer and I doubt if I could have broken the lug nuts free on the side of the road. I used a lug nut wrench and they wouldn't budge. I got a long breaker bar and got them loose. I got the idea to break the lug nuts loose on the tire we weren't replacing because they would not have broken loose either. I used a small scissor jack because we have a 195rb.

rodro123 · 04-25-2018, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs3678

I guess in case of an emergency however the reason we don’t get spare tire or tools is because the manufacturer don’t want us to do it. It is very dangerous on a truck that size unless performed by service personnel.

That's is incorrect Eagles have spare tires. Good luck getting someone to change a tire in the middle of nowhere.

bluie5 · 04-25-2018, 07:30 AM

Drove the good tire up onto my leveling blocks so the blown tire was off the ground. Put the spare on and drove off the blocks. Did this along I-74 one afternoon last year. Luckily it was on the curbside. They make ramp devices to drive on but I was already carrying blocks.

rodro123 · 04-25-2018, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3'senough

12 ton bottle jack is what I use and my 6 x 6 blocking that I carry. It's compact and fits in my floor board storage compartment.

I would not rely on the auto level to lift the camper in that situation. I also have roadside help should I need reinforcements.

I have only seen 12 ton bottle jack's that go up to 18 inches high. To change a tire on a Eagle the height of the frame is 23" and need to go up 4 inches to change the tire. Where a Floor jack goes up to 28"

Roadside is great if and when they come out I have heard horror story's.

John from Central Florida · 04-25-2018, 07:47 AM

Rodro,

We keep a torque wrench on-board as well.

Jagiven · 04-25-2018, 08:04 AM

A hydraulic floor jack does take a lot of room, and they are heavy. I carry a bottle jack, it does not take a lot of room. It lives in my HTT. I also have wood 2"x 8"'s for leveling I can use under my bottle jack if needed.

While on the road, for a tandem axle a product called "Tire Aid" work great. you drive the good wheel up on a ramp like device and lifts the bad wheel off the ground.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=755hmEWAW_c

Bilz · 04-25-2018, 08:18 AM

18V Impact with correct socket
4x6,2x6 blocks
6 ton bottle jack
1/2 breaker bar with pipe cheater
Torque Wrench

3'senough · 04-25-2018, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodro123

I have only seen 12 ton bottle jack's that go up to 18 inches high. To change a tire on a Eagle the height of the frame is 23" and need to go up 4 inches to change the tire. Where a Floor jack goes up to 28"

Roadside is great if and when they come out I have heard horror story's.

Yes, but I put it on top of 2 x 6 x 6's and it does what I need.

Interesting story of Roadside. Met a guy this past weekend who had AAA. TV tranny blew in NJ and they towed his 5'er to a CG 75 miles away and put it in his site. Yes he has to get back to the TV but his vacation was not interrupted.

RAurand · 04-25-2018, 11:48 AM

I just drive my good wheel up on boards I am already carrying.
Carry a bottle jack and a torque wrench with a long handle.

**Janet H** · 04-25-2018, 12:52 PM

I travel with an EZ jack which can be used for chocking, leveling and tire changing.

https://www.etrailer.com/tv-Demo-Bla...k-EZ-JACK.aspx

zuley · 04-25-2018, 12:58 PM

Have never had to use it yet but my "Traileraid" is always packed in the back of the truck before we go any where.

Isaacs · 04-25-2018, 01:58 PM

I blew a tire while I was on an interstate on my popup that I used to own. I had a bottle jack and a spare--thought I was all set 'till I realized I had no lug wrench. I got really lucky--there was a Sears within walking distance just down the embankment and they took good care of me.

Another time I lost the right hand tire of my boat trailer on I-75 in Michigan. I was in the left lane and pulled off to the left shoulder to change the tire. I thought the 80 MPH traffic was going to blow my butt off while I was working!

But I survived and now you guys have to read my boring stories...

liveyourlife · 04-25-2018, 07:52 PM

There is always roadside assistance... however I would check out a company called “Safe Jack” at www.safejacks.com. They have some nice options for RVs that can be purchased as a complete kit. They are not inexpensive, but you can’t put a price on your safety when you are stuck on the shoulder of the highway. I carry a Trailer Aid Plus... while I haven’t had to use it, I hope I never do!

Atlee · 04-25-2018, 08:58 PM

That's interesting. Both my truck and trailer came with a spare tire and lug wrench. So I guess Jayco and Ford don't care if I change the tires on each vehicle.

I don't like doing it, and if at all possible, I'll have Good Sam do it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs3678

I guess in case of an emergency however the reason we don’t get spare tire or tools is because the manufacturer don’t want us to do it. It is very dangerous on a truck that size unless performed by service personnel.

BCx213 · 04-25-2018, 10:25 PM

I have a Trailer-aid ramp and both a 18 volt Rigid 1/2” impact drill with 450 ft lbs torque and for heavier jobs a 20 volt Milwaulkee 1/2” impact with 1100 ft lbs of torque. Get tires off quick and easy....puts my pneumatic impact guns to shame. Beats the breaker bars and tire wrenches....

rodro123 · 04-26-2018, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liveyourlife

There is always roadside assistance... however I would check out a company called “Safe Jack” at www.safejacks.com. They have some nice options for RVs that can be purchased as a complete kit. They are not inexpensive, but you can’t put a price on your safety when you are stuck on the shoulder of the highway. I carry a Trailer Aid Plus... while I haven’t had to use it, I hope I never do!

Wow Safejack looks like the real deal and they have RV kit's as well.

You may also like: