Raising trailer to change flat tire.

[PRout]

One thing that scares me is getting a flat tire on the 5th wheel on the highway, at a place where the shoulder is sloped down.



Would hate to have to jack the big thing up there. It would probably shift itself off the jack & kill someone. I always carry a heavy duty floor jack in the back of the truck, but hate the idea of using even it on a slope.



I was told that an old trick for changing tires on a trailer w/ tandem wheels, is to drive the good tire up a small ramp made of staggered peices of wood. This will raise the flat tire off the ground to change it without the need for a jack.



Ive never tried it before, but sounds like it would work.



Any "experienced" input? Thanks

 

[Happy Camper]

No experience! Try the method you suggest in your driveway where the conditions are ideal and see how it works and then determine if this is what you would do on and unlevel place. Have never had the misfortune of having a flat on the open road, have always deflated in the driveway.

 

[moparguy]

It works.

I've used this method several times. Works great when towing heavy loads. If you have a helper, ask them to watch so you don't pull up to far and run the good tire off the ramp.



I carry a custom set of blocks and boards (oak), but you can buy a heavy duty plastic block with a wide saddle and ramp that serves the same purpose. Check out the ads in Wester Horseman magazine or one of the RV mags on the rack for manufactures.



RJR

 

[dewdo]

The best way to change a trailer tire (providing you have a servicable spare) is to subscribe to Good Sam Club Emergency Road Service. Best move I ever made. In seven years they have changed my trailer tires about 4 times, and two times they hauled my truck and camper 55 miles to the nearest dealer for transmission replacement. Cost under $100. 00 a year.



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[Okie-Go]

I have one of those things made for raising tandems. I have used it on the gooseneck and 5er. Cost about 85. 00 but was worth it the first time I needed it. Stays in the trailer all the time.

 

[yogibear]

Okie-go, explain what you have, and where you got it. TIA

Larry

 

[Lurch]

I just used a rockpile, worked 4 times. Allways seems to be rocks around too.



Lurch

 

[Okie-Go]

I got it at American Fence and Supply. It looks like a big wheel chock in a way. You drive up on it and then the tire fits in kind of a saddle to help keep the trailer from rolling. When finished just drive off it or back down the make sure the lug nuts are snug. They could probably be had where they sell a lot of farm trailers and such.

 

[Royal]

Campers World sells the ramps for wheel changes. They work great.

 

[Mingoglia]

Unfortunately I had to change a tire that blew out on my travel trailer about 15 hours (yes, hours) ago on the 72 East coming from Parker, AZ back to Phoenix. This is the second tire I had to replace in two trips. Luckily, the first one I changed when I noticed I had a tennis ball size bubble in the tire at the campground. It's always nice not to have to change the tire on the side of the road. The one yesterday was a full blown blow out at highway speed (fun huh?). I used my 6-ton $29 "Checker Special" (with carrying case) bottle jack under the axle. This method works great and I used it both times. It's surprisingly easy to jack up the tire that needs changing because most of the weight of the trailer is on the other axle and you're pretty much just lifting up the weight of the offending axle, compressing the springs, and lifting a little weight. It feels like I'm lifting up less weight than changing a tire on a small car.



In case anyone's wondering. The great trailer tire luck I'm having is with my '02 model year travel trailer. The tires have barely 2000 miles on them. They load range D Carlisle tires. I am well within the rated load capacity of the tires. I have never hit a curb with any of my trailer tires. I run them at their maximum tire pressure (65lbs). In fact, I am one of the most anal people about tire pressure. I check my truck tire pressure once a week and I always check my trailer pressure before every single time I move the trailer. I'm also real anal about the trailer sitting perfectly level. Since the trailer is perfectly level, all the tires have approximately the same load on them (well, probably more on the one side because of the refrigerator and stove). I'll be calling the Carlisle tomorrow morning to get my second replacement tire from them in 2 trips... Once again they'll give me the third degree about tire pressure, weight, and once again accuse me of hitting a curb with the tire and damaging the belts shortly before my blow out... Oh well... :{

 

[Fireman Dave]

Mingoglia: How fast are you towing? I have Carlisles also, so this concerns me.

 

[Mingoglia]

I typically stay around 70-72mph... I may every now and again inch up past 75... but typically stay in the low 70s on the open rode. When I got the first flat it was before I had a vehicle that could pull my trailer that fast. At the time, I was lucky to hold 55mph with the 2001. 5 Ram 2500 with the 5. 9L and 3. 55 gears. When this happened it was probably 70 degrees or so (the first flat). The past flat it was low 90s so I'm sure the tires were quite warm. Interesting enough, I was outside checking out the blowout a few hours ago and the tire seemed to blow right throug the center of the tread... no apparent sidewall damage.

 

[Fireman Dave]

Wow - through the tread, huh? Will have to keep tabs on those tires. Thanks, Mingoglia.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Dewdo in the other washington,



Ditto... . Good Sam Emergency Road Service has changed several for me too. Towed truck and 5th wheel to Cummins shop once. Well worth it!!



Bill

 

[Mingoglia]

Will the good sam emergency club tow your vehicle if you don't have a spare? Both times I had to use my spare I was quite a distance from home and I was paranoid as heck on the drive home without a spare... It would be worth the peace of mind if I knew that I could depend on good sam if I were to have another flat.

 

[Matt42]

Originally posted by Mingoglia

Unfortunately I had to change a tire that blew out on my travel trailer about 15 hours (yes, hours) ago on the 72 East coming from Parker, AZ back to Phoenix. This is the second tire I had to replace in two trips. -snip-

In case anyone's wondering. The great trailer tire luck I'm having is with my '02 model year travel trailer. The tires have barely 2000 miles on them. They load range D Carlisle tires. I am well within the rated load capacity of the tires. I have never hit a curb with any of my trailer tires. -snip- :{

Are they radials or bias ply?

 

[DRR-24V]

Dump Them Carlisle Tires !!

Here is one with under 250 miles on it. I went to NanKang Bias ply tires and never looked back. Two of four Carlisle tires blew out.

 

[Matt42]

Blecch. Did the tire do any damage to the trailer while it was coming apart?



I've just switched from Marathons to Tow Masters to avoid that problem. The Marathons *looked* OK but were 7 years old in hot weather with high ozone.

 

[DRR-24V]

It Beat It Up Some !

I had raised the Rig 5" so this saved me from major damage. A blowout at 65mph will get your attention. I think the Roadmasters are bias ply also. I may be wrong.

 

[Matt42]

Ah. I omitted the (important) fact that the Tow Masters are bias ply. That's why I bought them. A trailer mostly sits, and the tires give out due to age & ozone. I replace trailer tires every seven years whether they need it or not. I've seen the carnage that results when a radial throws its belt. Your five inch lift probably saved you $2500 in damage. Good move.