jack or ramp for flat tire

[redcow]

I was considering getting a ramp in case of a flat tire on my 2002 30FT RGE.
On another forum I found this: "Never ramp one wheel up on anything to raise the other off the ground. This is an ideal way to bend an axle,
(by grossly overloading it) already carrying near its load limit. as RV trailers usually do"

What are your opinions?

Jim

[redcow]

I was considering getting a ramp in case of a flat tire on my 2002 30FT RGE.
On another forum I found this: "Never ramp one wheel up on anything to raise the other off the ground. This is an ideal way to bend an axle,
(by grossly overloading it) already carrying near its load limit. as RV trailers usually do"

What are your opinions?

Jim

[Hitchhiker]

I carry a 6 ton hydraulic bottle jack for that purpose, never used a ramp. The ramp doesn't sound like a very good idea to me, I agree that it might damage something due to the added weight on the loaded axle.

[LindaH]

We've always used a ramp (on another fifth wheel) and have never had any problems using it when we've had to change a tire.

[xc-mark]

I have used a ramp on flats , it worked just fine. I can see how someone would think it can overload things but if you consider how easy your pulling on to the ramp and how hard a tire hits in a pot hole to blow them out , the ramp is not a problem in my eyes !

[bstark]

The ramps are becoming more ineffectual as the newer units are coming from factory with fully independant suspension and a lot heavier than previous units.

If you have the Mor-Ryde fully independant or the Trailair Center Point Air suspension, you may need a ramp that is very, very high to raise the offending wheel and that in turn will unduly stress one end of one axle, not to mention the suspension system.

[gearman]

It comes down to how much you want to carry when you travel, a bottle jack is fairly small and can store anywhere, but a ramp is large and can not store just anywhere you want.

I have a bottle jack and have used it many times. I have also used the ramp method over the years.

[fixintodoit]

I carry a bottle jack but only to jack up the front in case one of the landing gears would sink in the mud and I could not lift front of 5th to hook up, IT HAPPENED ONCE, How I make sure to use large jack pads, How we learn. For flat tires I find it easier to call Good Sam Emergency Road Service, never have I been disappointed with their service. Have used them 5 or 6 times over the years.

[LindaH]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by bstark:
If you have the Mor-Ryde fully independant or the Trailair Center Point Air suspension, you may need a ramp that is very, very high to raise the offending wheel and that in turn will unduly stress one end of one axle, not to mention the suspension system. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

We do have the Mor/ryde independent suspension on our Excel. We haven't yet had a flat tire, so we haven't had a chance to use our ramp (which has worked on other fifth wheels) to change a tire.

We do, however, also have a 6-ton bottle jack. My question is: If we use the bottle jack exactly *where* do we put it to jack up the rig?

[diandtom]

I used a ramp made from a piece of 6X6 but have since got one from CW. I had several flats and the ramp worked very good much better for me than jacking. I have done both.

[Still Working "NOT"]

The Dexter Rep. at the Family Reunion stated that you need to jack the frame up. This allows all of the weight to be taken off of the axels at the same time. Never jack from any other location.

I know I have done about all of the above and have not noticed any problems.

[Travelor]

I have used this technique on other units but not my excel, 35' MKO. Suspect though that handling with care and for a short time it would be OK. But I would like to hear from Peterson on this one.

Bill Cramer

[redcow]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Still Working:
The Dexter Rep. at the Family Reunion stated that you need to jack the frame up. This allows all of the weight to be taken off of the axels at the same time. Never jack from any other location.

I know I have done about all of the above and have not noticed any problems. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

To help my feeble old mind understand, does that mean you place the jack on the frame between the tires and raise both tires?

Jim

[Dutch_man39]

Has anybody tried this method?

http://www.rvwholesalers.com/catalog...4&cat=0&page=1