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Old 12-27-2015, 09:13 PM   #1
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Changing a flat

Hey Guys,

I'd like some info on gear to change a flat by myself.

Yes I do have roadside assistance but I hate waiting 1 hr for them to get there, then change the tire & write the bill, all in all 1 - 1.5 hrs. And that's in town.

The biggest trouble is breaking the lug nuts. Now I'm trying that with a 4 way. Once, or if, that's done I can change a tire & be on my way in 20 minutes or so.

I do have an extra charged deep cycle battery with a 2000 watt inverter.

I am wondering if a 125 psi, 1.85 scfm compressor with a 1 - 2 gal tank & an impact gun would work to get 8 lugs off. I would power it thru the inverter.

I am not looking to do this on a regular basis. Hoping I never have to.

Another option is a 18 volt battery impact wrench. Or an electric one run thru the inverter.

I am towing a 5th wheel full time & don't have room for a larger compressor.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks.
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Old 12-27-2015, 09:16 PM   #2
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You would have better luck with an cordless impact.

There's some pretty good ones that can pull lugs.


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Old 12-27-2015, 09:26 PM   #3
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I bought this.

Shop Kobalt 8-Amp 1/2-in Corded Impact Wrench at Lowes.com

Works well with the generator I carry with me, it comes with sockets but I suggest a thin wall they fit in the lug cut outs better.
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Old 12-27-2015, 10:05 PM   #4
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Imo, dewalt 20 volt 1/2 cordless. If you search you can find them on good deals. I carry one and it can zip all the lugs off your trailer and tow rig many times on one charge... awesome
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Old 12-27-2015, 10:06 PM   #5
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I carry this snapon 1/2" impact with a flip socket. Also a 1/2" breaker bar and assorted extra sockets, wobble and extensions. Its pricy at about $729 but its stronger than a lot of air impacts.

I also usually carry a 12 ton and a 4 ton bottle jack and a couple smaller blocks for them.
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Old 12-27-2015, 10:14 PM   #6
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I/2" ratchet wrench with breaker bar is least inexpensive. An 18V or 20V 1/2" impact wrench is fastest ( be sure to get lithium battery vs NiMh). Also you will need a HD bottle Jack and most likely some assorted wood blocks. What ever solution you choose, try it at home to be sure your solution works.
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Old 12-27-2015, 10:32 PM   #7
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Imo I want to get off the road as fast and safe as I can... I'm not about to lay on the ground and Jack my camp up. I bring a floor jack in my tv... I used to just bring stagered blocks and pull the camper up onto the blocks with the good wheel until the flat is high enuff to change it.....
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Old 12-27-2015, 10:49 PM   #8
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Ive had a Craftsman cordless 1/2" drive impact (i think its 18.8v?) for 20 yrs. Replaced the batt about 10 yrs ago. I always hva a mapp gas torch in the truck or trailer too,between the two of them there aint nuthin that wont come off!
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Old 12-27-2015, 11:32 PM   #9
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You need a torque wrench anyways so why not just use it. I bought a cheap one at Harbor Freight just to keep on the truck... I have used it to break nuts on the wheel loose then to put back on at the correct torque. Now if you want to really do it up right get yourself an air horn and compressor. Keep my compressor in my tool box and have used it with the impact wrench and even a nail gun. That way I can also air up my tires since I carry a 50 ft air hose.
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Old 12-27-2015, 11:48 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GypsiesAtHeart2016 View Post
Hey Guys,

I'd like some info on gear to change a flat by myself.

Yes I do have roadside assistance but I hate waiting 1 hr for them to get there, then change the tire & write the bill, all in all 1 - 1.5 hrs. And that's in town.

The biggest trouble is breaking the lug nuts. Now I'm trying that with a 4 way. Once, or if, that's done I can change a tire & be on my way in 20 minutes or so.

I do have an extra charged deep cycle battery with a 2000 watt inverter.

I am wondering if a 125 psi, 1.85 scfm compressor with a 1 - 2 gal tank & an impact gun would work to get 8 lugs off. I would power it thru the inverter.

I am not looking to do this on a regular basis. Hoping I never have to.

Another option is a 18 volt battery impact wrench. Or an electric one run thru the inverter.

I am towing a 5th wheel full time & don't have room for a larger compressor.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks.
Hi The best and most reliable tools you will need to change a tire is a 3/4" deep impact 1/2" drive socket. A beaker bar 1/2" drive. A torque wench 1/2" drive to torque lug nut. A 3-6" 1/2 drive extension. All this can be bought from harbor freight for much less than one of other mentioned tools that the battery's will be dead when you want to use them. While you are harbor freight get some safety triangles stranded or led great if it is dark. A good flash light. A 4-8 ton hydraulic jack placed under axle frame mount or frame next to axle of tire to be removed. Don't jack up on the axle, this may bend the axle which will cost you a lot of money to replace. Wood blocking may be needed to stabilize jack depending on soil conditions or the need to get the jack closer to the trailer to lift the wheel off the pavement. A 4 way tire lug wench will not work on the aluminum rims. there is not enough room around lug nut to use 4 way. 3/4" deep impact is skinny enough to fit be-twine lug and rim. Practice this at home to get a feel of how to change a tire. You don't want to learn this on the side of the x way.

Hope This Helps Tim
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Old 12-27-2015, 11:58 PM   #11
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A torque wrench should never be used to break nuts or bolts loose that are already tightened.The shock that is imposed on the mechanism when the bolt.nut is broken loose will degrade its use as a torque measureing device.That info is pretty much auto shop 101.
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Old 12-28-2015, 12:10 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trbomax View Post
A torque wrench should never be used to break nuts or bolts loose that are already tightened.The shock that is imposed on the mechanism when the bolt.nut is broken loose will degrade its use as a torque measureing device.That info is pretty much auto shop 101.
2X

Tim
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Old 12-28-2015, 12:10 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trbomax View Post
A torque wrench should never be used to break nuts or bolts loose that are already tightened.The shock that is imposed on the mechanism when the bolt.nut is broken loose will degrade its use as a torque measureing device.That info is pretty much auto shop 101.
Yep. And always store it a -0-

Also a side note....the new lithium batterys don't loose charge like others. I've had them hold full charge for months.

2nd side note......you can jack on the axle by the u bolts on a leaf spring axle, just try to stay as close to the hub as you can. While its best to use the frame on a torsion axle.
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Old 12-28-2015, 09:00 AM   #14
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Anybody use these?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001V8UKBO/...8MDJIE8G&psc=1
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Old 12-28-2015, 09:43 AM   #15
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Guys this is a cheap HF torque wrench that lives in my toolbox on my truck just for changing flats or if I ever have to remove a tire and retorque the nuts.....it is not something I would ever use to build an engine....but in the world of not a lot of space to carry my entire tool box it will do fine if I change a tire every 2-3 years....
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Old 12-28-2015, 09:49 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by steelpony5555 View Post
Guys this is a cheap HF torque wrench that lives in my toolbox on my truck just for changing flats or if I ever have to remove a tire and retorque the nuts.....it is not something I would ever use to build an engine....but in the world of not a lot of space to carry my entire tool box it will do fine if I change a tire every 2-3 years....

Did you mean to upload a pic?
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Old 12-28-2015, 10:02 AM   #17
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Don't need no torque wrench to change a flat...impact it off and on and get moving. Check torque at a later date when it's safe.....
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Old 12-28-2015, 10:04 AM   #18
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Don't need no torque wrench to change a flat...impact it off and on and get moving. Check torque at a later date when it's safe.....

X2.

Also, if you used that tq wrench to remove the lugs, I wouldn't trust the tq anyways..


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Old 12-28-2015, 10:27 AM   #19
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You might want one of these too..
Jiffy Jack | Hitches Online
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Old 12-28-2015, 11:08 AM   #20
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Trailer Aid has the same type ramp for under $50 on Amazon. Make sure you get the TALLER one. It's worked for me on 4 occasions. Super simple and much less dangerous than a jack. IMHO...and personal experience.
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