Changing a tire

Dovetail · 10-23-2012, 07:33 AM

I had a blowout on our last trip and I now have to put the new tire on and take the spare off. Plan on driving the front wheel onto blocks so I can switch out the back tire.

If that does not work for whatever reason and I have to use a jack

Do I put it under the frame or the axle. Or doesn't matter?

Seems like the service guy that put the spare on had his jack under the axle, but not sure.

Fire Instructor · 10-23-2012, 07:42 AM

I only jack when I need/want to pull both wheels off of the same side, but when I jack, I jack under the axle. Driving-up on a block will work fine, it's what I do to just pull a single wheel off. Just remember to slightly loosen the lug-nuts before driving up on the block, or else you may not be able to get the nuts to spin off easily.

comfun1 · 10-23-2012, 07:45 AM

I believe the recommended placement is the frame. I use a floor jack under the axle right beside the spring. The closer to the center of the axle you place a jack the greater the chance of bending the axle and changing the camber. When I have a flat on the road I use the bottle jack from my pickup and place it under the axle beside the spring.

pdchristensen · 10-23-2012, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickthelen

Do I put it under the frame or the axle. Or doesn't matter?

Seems like the service guy that put the spare on had his jack under the axle, but not sure.

Is it a "Torsion Axle" ? I posed the same question on this forum some time ago, then decided to contact the manufacturer of my torsion axle (Dexter). I have provided a link below to the thread on the email dialogue I had with Dexter which would seem to indicate jacking on the axle where it meets the frame is okay.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...xle-30162.html

MilCop4523 · 10-23-2012, 08:02 AM

Trailer-Aid PLUS -- Black - Trailer-Aid Store
The heck with blocking, jacking and more blocking alongside a highway or a street where people could and have killed drivers changing tires on RV's and TT's.
I purchased one of these products. Got rid of my 10 lb jack, my extra blocks and for the price of a few good steaks figured my life was worth one of these in my arsenal of toys to take on the road.

pdchristensen · 10-23-2012, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MilCop4523

Trailer-Aid PLUS -- Black - Trailer-Aid Store
The heck with blocking, jacking and more blocking alongside a highway or a street where people could and have killed drivers changing tires on RV's and TT's.
I purchased one of these products. Got rid of my 10 lb jack, my extra blocks and for the price of a few good steaks figured my life was worth one of these in my arsenal of toys to take on the road.

That's a great product for tandem axle. Does not work so great for a "single" axle

as would be the case for me.

erwin · 10-23-2012, 10:14 AM

is it a bad idea to just use the two rear stablizer jacks and the two front "legs" (motorized) to lift the whole thing? Are they not strong enough? In my case, my 5th wheel FlagStaff 8528BHSS weights 6500 LBs dry. That divided by 4, it's under 1700 LB each. Thanks for any guidance. Erwin

Hoo Dad · 10-23-2012, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erwin

is it a bad idea to just use the two rear stablizer jacks and the two front "legs" (motorized) to lift the whole thing? Are they not strong enough? In my case, my 5th wheel FlagStaff 8528BHSS weights 6500 LBs dry. That divided by 4, it's under 1700 LB each. Thanks for any guidance. Erwin

I'm pretty sure those jacks are as stated....stabilizer jacks. I've seen pictures where someone not in the know damaged those jacks by trying to lift the camper.

ironj · 10-23-2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MilCop4523

Trailer-Aid PLUS -- Black - Trailer-Aid Store
The heck with blocking, jacking and more blocking alongside a highway or a street where people could and have killed drivers changing tires on RV's and TT's.
I purchased one of these products. Got rid of my 10 lb jack, my extra blocks and for the price of a few good steaks figured my life was worth one of these in my arsenal of toys to take on the road.

thats pretty nifty!! i carry a stack of lynx levelers and a couple of stop n chocks for just that purpose....ive only used it in that configuration once in my driveway, but it was simple and worked great.....

honestly tho, if i had a flat on a road i deemed too dangerous, im calling coachnet and waiting while making a sandwhich!! LOL

MilCop4523 · 10-23-2012, 10:42 AM

Never use your stabilizing jacks for lifting. The delivery guy from the dealer set our trailer up in the dark 3 days after a hurricane blew through soaking the ground.
This is the block job he did. and he raised the jacks to their max to lift the trailer.
Then he told me that I should get them replaced soonest at only a buck and a quarter ($125)

Whisky · 10-23-2012, 10:50 AM

.
had a blowout a couple of weeks ago (dual axels) - changed the tire on the roadside - blown one was right side, rear (would have pulled to the left side of the road - facing traffic - had it been on the left side)

since then I've signed-up for a Roadside Assistance policy

I used a scissors jack and let-down the stabilizers as I inched the trailer up

I am of the opinion that one shouldn't place the jack under the axel (I used the frame)

then drove directly to a Discount Tire store and had all 4 tires replaced with new.....Bill

Dovetail · 10-23-2012, 12:39 PM

Thanks to all for comments. Job done. I blocked it up using the yellow blocks, whatever they are called. A stack of three was not high enough and had to add a 2x6. Then it was perfect. I think a lot safer and easier than a jack.

That little ramp looks even easier.

By the way, the blowout was on an interstate near a large city with considerable traffic. I called coach net to Change the tire. Good service.

Mark and Linda · 10-23-2012, 07:30 PM

I have yet to change one on my tt yet. A month ago had a blow out on my tv, left rear, tires had the years on them, no miles less than 14k. I did have a reflector to put out...need another one also. I can imagine trying to change a tire on the tt on the left side with all the interstate traffic going by..some just don't move over. Good advice on here about tire changing...I have plastic blocks and some assorted blocks in my stuff.

Timex · 10-23-2012, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MilCop4523

Never use your stabilizing jacks for lifting. The delivery guy from the dealer set our trailer up in the dark 3 days after a hurricane blew through soaking the ground.
This is the block job he did. and he raised the jacks to their max to lift the trailer.
Then he told me that I should get them replaced soonest at only a buck and a quarter ($125)

What happened? Did he try to lift the trailer with the scissor jacks?

OldCoot · 10-23-2012, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MilCop4523

Trailer-Aid PLUS -- Black - Trailer-Aid Store
The heck with blocking, jacking and more blocking alongside a highway or a street where people could and have killed drivers changing tires on RV's and TT's.
I purchased one of these products. Got rid of my 10 lb jack, my extra blocks and for the price of a few good steaks figured my life was worth one of these in my arsenal of toys to take on the road.

Being the 'cheapskate' I am, I measured one at a trailer supply and made mine which I store on the back bumper.

hokiecampers · 10-23-2012, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunnnc

Being the 'cheapskate' I am, I measured one at a trailer supply and made mine which I store on the back bumper.

Does this work OK with the torsion suspension on your fifth wheel?

OldCoot · 10-23-2012, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hokiecampers

Does this work OK with the torsion suspension on your fifth wheel?

Works great, used it just to try it out, never really changed a tire with it, but it raised the other one just fine.

MilCop4523 · 10-24-2012, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunnnc

Being the 'cheapskate' I am, I measured one at a trailer supply and made mine which I store on the back bumper.

Nice job. I can picture you setting this on teh floor or shelf and taking measurements.
I did a similar thing last month for something I was looking at and took pics with the cell phone and asked the counter person if they had a measuring tape I could use.

MilCop4523 · 10-24-2012, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timex

What happened? Did he try to lift the trailer with the scissor jacks?

With the ground soaked and a piece of blocking the size of a deck of cards he attempted to stabilize the trailer with the corner stabilizer.

We all now know how well that worked for us.

OldCoot · 10-24-2012, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MilCop4523

Nice job. I can picture you setting this on teh floor or shelf and taking measurements.
I did a similar thing last month for something I was looking at and took pics with the cell phone and asked the counter person if they had a measuring tape I could use.

Didn't have to sit it on the floor, took measurements right on the shelf. BTW, mine is not solid, it is hollow on the inside to try to keep it as light as possible and to make it "grip" whatever surface it was set on.

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