Changing a tire

[r.karjala]

We have premier tritoon on a tandem axle trailer. What is the best way to change a tire if I we have a blow out?

[NonHyphenAmerican]

Call Triple A?


Seriously though. I keep a small floor jack in my pickup along with a 4 way lug wrench.

Assuming the tandem axles are outside the toons....

Set the park brake on the truck.

Use the 4 way to break the lug nuts loose prior to jacking the trailer up.

Remember "Lefty Loosy".

Jack up the trailer and then finish removing the lug nuts.

Remove the blown tire.

Position the spare.

Thread on the lug nuts. Remember "Righty Tighty".

Use the 4-way to tighten them in an alternating manner. (1,3,5,2,4)

Drop the trailer to the ground and finish torquing the lug nuts tight per the above two steps.

[r.karjala]

Thanks but where do I place the jack?

[COTTS4x4]

Under the axle, just inside of the tire you want to replace.

[NonHyphenAmerican]

Under the axle that has the flat. I've always positioned the jack just to the inside of the shackle bolts.

You only have to lift the one axle on the one side, so you're not lifting the entire load.

There are some "Trailer Lift" devices that go under the axle and you pull the trailer forward, thus lifting the axle, but I trust a jack more.

The ones I have are 3000 pound capacity jacks.



I like them much better than the scissor/screw type jacks. About $40 at most auto parts stores.


Auto Zone for example: http://www.autozone.com/engine-and-vehi ... 22716_0_0/

Also, Northern Tool has them on sale: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... _200635236

Oh, and they're handy to have around as you can safely jack up almost any vehicle or trailer with one.

[r.karjala]

Thanks for the help.

[RcgTexas]

I saw a nice little tool at a RV shop this week. Its a little yellow wedge with a notch in it that you pull the railer on and let the good tire sit in the notch. then you change the bad tire that is floating. probably better, or at least easier than a jack.

Kind of like this http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/it ... -aid/10867

[HandymanHerb]

I always had a few pieces of board and pull the good tire up on the board, you only have to have the other one a few inches off the ground, and it is hooked to the truck so not rolling anywhere

[OK Toon]

Just make sure the jack you get will actually fit under the axle (before you really need it). We have the short fat tires on our trailer (they look like golf cart tires). So a normal size jack wouldn't fit under the axle when the tire is flat. I had to get a little short bottle jack that I keep in my truck to use with the boat trailer. My floor jack (like shown by NHA) wouldn't fit under my axle. But if you have the standard size tires, those will work just fine.

[zoom650]

My truck's scissor jack under the affected axel worked just fine. I was wishing I had a few triangle road flares since this occurred on a two-lane road.

[babock]

I have one of those small aluminum racing jacks form Harbor Freight.

[lakerunner]

Being old and disabled I carry a 12v impact wrench and this.http://www.horsetraileraccessorystore.com/jacks.htm

[RcgTexas]

Being old and disabled I carry a 12v impact wrench and this.http://www.horsetraileraccessorystore.com/jacks.htm

I got one of the 19.2 volt sears impacts from the kids last year and I love it. it stays in the truck even if I have no trailer. I have taken off 4 wheels and greased the bearings and put them back on with one battery. I highly recommend the battery powered impacts.

[Bamaman]

Subject #1 has been changing a tire.

Subject #2 should be what do I do to prevent having a flat?

1. Get a high quality air gauge, and check your air pressure every time you move the trailer. Make sure the air is at the max. level the tire is spec'd for.
2. Have an air tank or plug in tire compressor to add air if required.
3. Carry a high quality 1/2" torque wrench, and make sure the lugs are tight--every time the trailer's moved.
3. Get rid of those junk Chinese tires that virtually every trailer manufacturer (marine and RV) put on their trailers. This includes the Goodyear Marathons--just another Chinese tire. Either replace the tires with high quality auto tires, Kumho 857's (14" only) or Maxxis M8008 ST tires.

[lakerunner]

What is the real difference between trailer tires verses vehicle. Both run the same path and both carry loads.