DO you think you can change a flat if you had to?

[Happy Jim]

Do you think you can or have you had to change a tire on your RV? Specifically the rear 19.5" tire on a Ford Class A.

Best to all
Happy Jim

[Jim Stewart]

I have a DP with 22.5", I could change them if I had to. I would never try too, but I could if I had to. I would need to get a hernia repair, see a Chiropractor, see a Cardiologist and vow to never do it again, but, I could do it if I had to!

I have changed large truck tires of this size in the past. People do it for a living all the time in the field, they have a few tools that the average person does not carry, the correct rated jack (not safe to use leveling jack, but many have), sledge hammer, correct type pry bar and capable torque tool, I have the air compressor on the DP.

[RJay]

Hi Jim,
On my previous coach I removed all 6 of the 19.5" tires in order to change brake pads. I think changing a flat is OK. But I agrees with Jim Stewart on the 22.5" tires.

[Dmiles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Jim Do you think you can or have you had to change a tire on your RV? Specifically the rear 19.5" tire on a Ford Class A. Best to all Happy Jim

Like Jim, I COULD if I had to, but then again I could defend my home if an armed criminal broke in during the night but, I would also call the police.

That's why I have emergency roadside assistance. When I did have a blowout last summer, I called, and they showed up in about a half hour. By that time, I had already positioned the coach along side the road in such a way that I was able to get the wheel off the ground using the hydraulic jacks. I assisted the guy in every way I could. I had tools he didn't have, including an air compressor and impact driver.

I COULD have done it myself, but roadside assistance is something I will not leave home without.

[GaryKD]

Hi Happy Jim,
I've changed 19.5 tires and 22.5 tires. Two for each size. I have always carried a mounted spare tire. I do carry all the required tools. Me changing the tire is plan B. Plan A is to call Coach-Net.

[inspectorudy]

I recently had a damaged rear tire and needed a replacement. I got out the tire iron and placed it on the first nut tried to move it but couldn't. Then I, 245 lbs of muscle, put on a short extention bar and stood, jumped on the iron to no avail. When I arrived at the tire company in my MH they put the big impact gun on it and it came off like a golf cart tire! I know it is possible and I do carry a 20 ton hyd. jack for that one unusual situation but I would never try to do it if road assist was available. If you have injured your back you will understand that even several hundred bucks is a small price to pay for no back problems.

[hdossett]

[QUOTE=Happy Jim;631798]Do you think you can or have you had to change a tire on your RV? Specifically the rear 19.5" tire on a Ford Class A.

I had doubts about it until the "opportunity" presented its self! Inside Dual. Wait for three hours for service, or DIM (do it myself). Soon learned that I could not "man handle" the mounted rims. Had to work smarter!

To quote Archimedes, "Give me a lever long enough and a place to stand and I could lift the world."

Then had to wait 30-40 minutes for the little B&D compressor to inflate the spare! Have since replaced that compressor with a pancake style compressor that can inflate a flat RV tire in under five minutes. Also now carry an electric impact wrench to speed the process along!

I just made sure the Rig was stable and properly supported the frame. Do not depend on the leveling jacks alone. They are good for lifting the rig, but don't bet you life on them.

Since them I have removed all wheels a number of times for rotating and other things live brakes, etc. I would rather "carry in" to have a new tire mounted than drive the rig to the shop (unless I'm having all tires replace).

Now be careful out there!

Harold

[Lorna]

Yes, we have on our Class C. Both times one of the rear tires (once was an inside tire... on a Sunday in a very small town). And David has a bad back! (guess who had to jump up and down on the wrench handle extension) I hate those impact wrenches... I can't change a tire on my Jeep when they use one of them! When I got my first car, my Daddy told me that I could only drive it if I could change the tire all by myself. He said I had no business driving if I couldn't change a tire all by my lonely. Needless to say I learned how and later I had to change the tire out on a beach road in FL (someplace a roadservice would have never gone). Since then, every vehicle I've had, I've been able to change the tires (I know where to put the jacks and in the case of the RV, I know to use the stabilizer jacks to get it up high enough to get a tire off)

[NeilV]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Jim Do you think you can or have you had to change a tire on your RV? Specifically the rear 19.5" tire on a Ford Class A. Best to all Happy Jim

Been there done that.

I carry a compressor along with a 650 lb impact wrench. I also bring a manual tourque multiplier if it is required. I waited several hours for roadside assistance once and will not do that again. The first truck did not have the proper equipment and wanted me to drive the inner tire up on a 4X4 so they could change the outer after cutting off the wheel cover which they did not have to correct tools to remove. They were pretty sure they could get the last lug off and the new wheel on with at least two lugs in place before the wind from all the passing tractor trailer combos knocked us over. They were going to play it safe and have me sign a waiver releasing them of liability if they rolled my rig down the embankment. This was AAA RV Assistance.

You do not have to jepordise your health to do it yourself either. A few blocks of wood, a good jack and some levers is all it takes to get it done safely as long as you do not already have an injury that prevents you from engaging in heavy work.

[Pigman]

Yes, I can and do change tires and wheels on the Bus. I also break down and remount tires and wheels. I carry all the necessary tools. I've been places where we had a slow leak and it was easier to pull it off, take it to a tire shop and replace it myself rather than wait for hours for a guy that doesn't have the tools or the knowledge to do it right. Of course, I do all my own maintenance as well, so I know it's been done and done correctly. It all depends on what you're willing and able to do, and how important it is to you to get a job done right.

John

[wa8yxm]

19.5 Ford: NO sweat.. Only issue is this.. If I use the supplied Ford Lug wrench.. WILL I snap a(nother) Lug or not (Last time I snapped a lug, that was on a 350 Custom)

I've changed the 22.5" tires on a Workhorse.. However I do admit to cheating (I used an air powered impact wrench for the lugs.. And lots of air courtesly of my 160 PSI huffer puffer (Sears 2 gallon pancake type air compnressor)

[JimM68]

Yes. I can and I have. In fact, when I forst bought the rig, I had all six off (one corner at a time of course) in the driveway just to make sure I could. Made sure there were no stuck lugs, cleaned all the threads, applied some anti-sieze, and torqued to the proper spec. Thank goodness, that's only what, 180 ft-lbs on an f53?

I've had 2 flats on the road, changed em both myself and got on with my life.

If you do it right you never actually have to lift the darned thing.

[LVJ58]

My position is the same as GaryKD, I have an on-board air compressor, air impact tool & Torque socket drive, but Coach-Net gets called first. I have taken both front 19.5 wheels off at home to install Centramatic balancers and it was a bit taxing.

[Campingman]

On Big trucks that is how we change outside duals. Works great, no jack needed. I also carry all I would need to change any of my tires.