How do you change a tire

[saus]

I am not trying to start any heated debates, I would just like to have something cleared up. As my family and I were on our way back to our camp site from a bike ride, we saw a camper pulled over along the entrance road. It was a 5er that had a blowout. I pulled over and asked if he needed any assistance or anything from my camper. He stated no and we just chatted for a second. My family and I continued on. I noticed that he had the 5er lifted with the back stabilizer jack. However, I was told to pull up onto blocks with the good tire in order to lift the camper. Is this just a preference thing. Luckily I have not had a blowout yet but would like to know in case it ever happens. Thanks.

[18CrewDually]

The correct way to lift a full axled tandem trailer is with a jack under the spring mount area as pictured below.
The stabilizer jacks are just for that, stabilizing not lifting over their capacity.
The other method of running the good tire up a ramp to lift the flat tire off is bad practice and you are substantially overloading one axle. It's a good way to bend the stub which results in uneven tire wear and usually a blow-out. I have re-aligned multiple trailer axles because they were bent. Those ramps work fine on a horse trailer or empty flatbed but not a good idea on a loaded 5th wheel.
If your tow vehicle doesn't have one, buy a bottle jack and keep it in the trailer. And don't forget to break loose the lug nuts first before you jack it off the ground.

[spock123]

If I had a flat on my Cedar Creek I would break the lug nuts and then use my level up system to pick that side up

[18CrewDually]

Originally Posted by spock123

If I had a flat on my Cedar Creek I would break the lug nuts and then use my level up system to pick that side up

I'd use my system too but not everyone has that! I answered more generic.
Good point though because the system is more popular nowadays and is more than capable of the duty.

[wmtire]

You are probably going to get some pretty passionate opinions on this subject. We discussed it fairly recently in another thread, as the following manufacturers say to never lift on their axles or suspension components...but to lift on the trailer frame only.

You may want to see what kind of axles you have, as you may find out they are like Dexter's below who specifically state in their manual the following:

See the last sentence of #2 and also the warning label right below it:

http://www.dexteraxle.com/docs/defau...).pdf?sfvrsn=2



Lippert says the same basically about their axles:

http://www.lci1.com/assets/content/s...ers-Manual.pdf





AL-KO (which has now been bought out by Dexter) are even more adamant about never supporting/lifting on the axle.

http://www.al-ko.us/download/ALKO_Ow...K__05_2014.pdf



It's up to you as to what you decide to do.

[spock123]

Actually I would call someone as I'm to lazy, i would call Coach-Net and let them change the tire

[Schvarak]

Originally Posted by spock123

Actually I would call someone as I'm to lazy, i would call Coach-Net and let them change the tire

Yup!! I had to call Good Sams roadside assistance twice 15 days ago for blow outs one for an inside dually and for a steering tire. 6 year old tires.[emoji53] not fun!!! They were eventually all replaced. All tires needed to be balanced. Done by the dealer in Albuquerque!! I had called Camping World to replace them but they don't balance. Unbelievable!! Got a much better deal at Purcell tires. Which was also closer.

[youroo]

It is to the RV Owners benefit to know in Advance where to Jack/Lift "YOUR RV" MOST Tire changers "Don't Know/Care" where they lift on YOUR unit,it is to YOUR benefit to "Know and INSIST where to lift"! If they insist on doing it THEIR Way tell them to STOP and Leave! If you Don't you can/will be Paying BIG Bucks for future Repairs out of Your Pocket and Sitting somewhere else while your Parts are Shipped in! Youroo!!

[gectisme]

I don't think running up the good wheel onto leveling blocks will hurt anything to change a tire. If you are on the roadside, you probably want to get it changed out quickly and if you are ready to change it, the axle will only be lifted for a few minutes while you swap the wheel out. The overall weight will be distributed among the 3 remaining wheels and the tow vehicle. I have done this method twice so far and also have used a bottle jack on the frame at a campground and it is at least twice as fast to change out using leveling blocks. I have no science or manufacturing information to back up what i just wrote, just practical experience of what I have done. Just realized, I am stating this for a tandem torsion axle trailer and don't know what to do with a single axle other than a jack on the frame.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by gectisme

... I don't think running up the good wheel onto leveling blocks will hurt anything to change a tire. ...

If the flat tire is really flat, is the entire side of the trailer not already on the tire we'd use to lift using leveling blocks or something like an Anderson Rapid Jack?

[Fkrel]

I have not had to change a tire yet but I carry a hyd jack and a electric impact wrench I got from Harbor freight just for the motorhome I waited for the 25% off coupon and it was a reasonable purchase. If it ever happens I will start the generator for the impact wrench.

[rsdata]

If the flat tire is really flat, is the entire side of the trailer not already on the tire

Good point...
Is this one tire still on the road a reason to have an extra margin of safety by going up one load range ( C to D or D to E) when getting replacement tires?

I just bought a Trailer-Aid to help with any possible roadside blow outs...

[Bikersarge]

Originally Posted by wmtire

You are probably going to get some pretty passionate opinions on this subject. We discussed it fairly recently in another thread, as the following manufacturers say to never lift on their axles or suspension components...but to lift on the trailer frame only.

You may want to see what kind of axles you have, as you may find out they are like Dexter's below who specifically state in their manual the following:

See the last sentence of #2 and also the warning label right below it:

http://www.dexteraxle.com/docs/defau...).pdf?sfvrsn=2



Lippert says the same basically about their axles:

http://www.lci1.com/assets/content/s...ers-Manual.pdf





AL-KO (which has now been bought out by Dexter) are even more adamant about never supporting/lifting on the axle.

http://www.al-ko.us/download/ALKO_Ow...K__05_2014.pdf



It's up to you as to what you decide to do.

Well Camping World puts a Jack under the axle u-bolts and lifts the axle up. now I am really confused.

[babock]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

If the flat tire is really flat, is the entire side of the trailer not already on the tire we'd use to lift using leveling blocks or something like an Anderson Rapid Jack?

That is correct. If you are only putting a a static load on one axle, that is in no way going to be detrimental to the axle being lifted. It is getting way more dynamic loads in use when both tires are on the ground.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by rsdata

Good point...
Is this one tire still on the road a reason to have an extra margin of safety by going up one load range ( C to D or D to E) when getting replacement tires?

I hadn't thought of that, myself. Not sure you could find a tire in the required size rated to support the entire weight of the side, but one with a higher rating than the OEM tire may mitigate risk under those circumstances.

[jeffnick]

Y'all might keep in mind too, that if you have a blowout on a multi axle trailer, it's a good idea to keep a close eye on the other tires on that side of the trailer - they've been stressed and if the blowout was from age/fatigue the other tires can follow.

[Burnking]

X2 for the Trailer Aide

[robbdrell]

I always carry a Trailer Aid. Used it 2x. A lot easier than using the bottle jack
and jack stands for safety. I have the regular Trailer Aid but I think I'd buy the Plus
if I were to do it again just to have the additional 1".

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by 05CrewDually

The correct way to lift a full axled tandem trailer is with a jack under the spring mount area as pictured below.
The stabilizer jacks are just for that, stabilizing not lifting over their capacity.
The other method of running the good tire up a ramp to lift the flat tire off is bad practice and you are substantially overloading one axle. It's a good way to bend the stub which results in uneven tire wear and usually a blow-out. I have re-aligned multiple trailer axles because they were bent. Those ramps work fine on a horse trailer or empty flatbed but not a good idea on a loaded 5th wheel.
If your tow vehicle doesn't have one, buy a bottle jack and keep it in the trailer. And don't forget to break loose the lug nuts first before you jack it off the ground.

Attachment 152369

And add to that bottle jack a few boards/blocks so you can elevate the jack to make it easier. Remember, when you get the flat tire off you will have to go even higher to get the good wheel/tire on so you will need every bit of lift you can get.

[pdqparalegal1]

Originally Posted by spock123

Actually I would call someone as I'm to lazy, i would call Coach-Net and let them change the tire

I would do the same. TT I can change, m/h no way I always travel with some kind of road service. AAA, Progressive, and now Good Sam.

Wjo do you call?? Depends on the need