Carry the right equipment

[RNash]

I use 3 2X4s nailed together to form a ramp. These are placed so that you can drive the trailer wheel not flat up on the ramp, this takes a lot of weight off the flat tire and in some cases picks the flat off the ground.

 

[dcoffman]

Fix-a-flat will not work on a blown out tire (too many holes) I had a flat this summer on my 5er and pulled way off on the shoulder and the on coming cars still came too close for comfort. I loosen the nuts with the wheel on the ground then pull up on some blocks of wood to get it off the ground then change it . I also carry jacks and a boat load of tools --you never know

Dan

 

[JStraw]

I use 3 2X4s nailed together to form a ramp. These are placed so that you can drive the trailer wheel not flat up on the ramp, this takes a lot of weight off the flat tire and in some cases picks the flat off the ground.

I'm not sure if it's at camping world, but there is a device that like your 2x4's will lift the flat when the good tire is driven on top of it. This seems to be the easiest way, just remember to loosen those lug nuts first



edit: found it here, http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?deptID=&subOf=33&skunum=10867&src=TSC



I'll bet it might even work under the inner daully wheel if the outer goes flat.

 

[OTRPU]

Thanks for stopping, it's always taking a chance. I wager to say I've more experience than most with tires a needin changin. Before I started haulin commercial I double towed my 5er and boat. Chances are anytime you're a running round with 14 puny tires you have a greater chance of one blowing. I carry a homemade ramp made outta 2x8's. That has been the easiest way for me to change trailer/5er tires. Also carry 10k bottle jack, usually have to stack 2x8's under it to get the height outta it I need. Easiest of all was Good Sam ERS. . . I used it so much they cancelled me. But was great while it lasted. Once over some mountain pass road, no load, dam right front came up flat. Farmer and his son drove over to see if I needed help. God Bless um, but I was already letting it down. I'm always thrilled to death when God sends a "Road Angel" youngin to do the change for me. At 61 I ain't as nimble as I once was. Once had a right rear blow on a little bitty tag trailer. Christian youngin stopped and changed it out for me. Wouldn't take any money till I suggested he throw it in the collection plate for me. Same trailer 400 miles later the right front blows. Now I ain'ta gotta good answer. Called the dealer and told him I couldn't deliver today, but could drop the trailer and take the first blown tire and get another tire mounted on that rim and be in the next day. He insisted I drag it blown tire and all the last 5 miles to his dealership that day. So I done it, about 5 mph the whole way. Obvious solution would have been to have him run me out a wheel/tire, but I wasn't thinkin clear. He acted like I'd done something wrong to have the tires blow out. I told him cr@p tires was the cause. They were using Load Range B. Running I-10 Baton Rouge, LA to Rialto, CA I came accross a van with Florida plates on the side with flashers on, just past aways a guy a walkin. I pulled over and rolled the passenger window down. Couldn't really understand him, wasn't english, but I got the idea he was outta gas. What goes around comes around. . . his lucky day, I carry 6 gallons of mid grade gasoline for my little generator. He dumped it in the van and ask me what I wanted for it, I said how about $10. He gave me a $20. That van was piled high with mattress and everything else he owned. Was a hurricane victum family moving from Florida to California. It's really a sad sight running I-10, a real "Grapes of Wrath" going on these days. Makes you feel good to help somebody that needs it though. Merry Christmas everybody, hope you're with your families, I am.



Cheers,

OTR PU

 

[Gunny]

Folks,



As mentioned by a couple of posters on here the Traileraid drive on device is the smoothest thing since "Frog Fur". This completly eliminates the need to try and get a bottle jack under anything much less the axle. This cotton picker works on all Tandem Axle trailers, all makes and all models as far as I can tell. I have been carrying one of these in my Truck for the last 5 years, and in those years I have pulled at least a dozen or so different brands of RV's on the Trailer Aid with no problem what so ever. Anyone with a trailer with tandem axles needs one of these.



And yes it will work great when changing the outside tire on a dually, however in that case so does a Rock or a 2X4. But if you had one of these guys you wouldn't have to look for that rock.



Gunny

 

[10-9jc]

"Wood U"

This is not a flat story - maybe worse . . . but as already mentioned,

some simple tools (jack/s) and the "all purpose" item -

blocks of wood - can save the day!



I was towing a 24' TT around the country with the wife and kids - 1985. Left CA headed for FL. In TX, broke a spring on the TT. No problem, I was in Houston, easily found a trailer supply. Bought a new spring for $25. -

they installed it for about $10 - and on my way again.



Did the whole "circle route", East coast, etc. - now almost back.

Heading West thru CO on I-70 (I think) - My son says he heard a noise -thinks we ran over something.

I didn't hear anything, but while passing thru some small town (a Sat. night),

figured I would pull over and check. On slowing down, seemed one wheel would lock up. Short story - same spring broken again - which would allow the entire axle to move - the two wheels on that side would hit each other when the brakes were applied! Town had one auto parts store (closed) and sign that said something like - "Next services 70 miles"!



OK - could wait until Sunday morning, but chances of getting a spring have

got to be slim and none! [Town is about a block long]. Made a solid spacer out of (my) 2 x 4's to go between the axle and plate with a notch for the axle, used some clamps to strap the spring ends to the wood.



Off I go at about 35 mph. That 70+ miles seemed forever! Got to next [bigger] town in UT as I recall, but what the heck - I'm in civilization now -

[I-15] and nowhere to get a spring anyway on Sat. night!

Drove on to Vegas - maybe even at 45mph - with my "hard-tail" TT.

Got another spring in Vegas next day, had some fun and back to CA.

[Back home, decided to replace all the springs - found out Terry Trlr had "special" springs with "center" pin an inch offset - a 48" long spring

had the pin at 25" rather than 24" ]



Thanks for the "soap box" space,

Thanks CUMMINZ!

Merry Christmas,

John Conner