Type of jack for changing travel trailer tire

[cherv]

We love ours.no need for carrying a jack

[Gigattime]

Originally Posted by rideandslide

Glad to hear that, but most blow outs i have seen cause massive destruction to the wheel well and joining body parts . Something i think the manufactures should address in design, sure it would add a few pounds,and cost but well worth it.

My next project ????

Flying shrapnel for sure. Unfortunately, the fender flares/wheel wells don't do well with the shredded debris of the steel belted tires when they blow. I've seen chunks of tires from semi's crack windshields. In all 3 blowouts that I have witnessed, there was definitely some cosmetic damage. However, the trailer itself was rather steady in every case. I will also add that all three were being towed by 1 ton duallies so that may also have helped. In all three cases, the owners ignored the timeout and were running tires that were 6-10 years old. Not sure about their inflation since it wasn't our unit.

[rideandslide]

Agree about tire age and tire care, but cannot relate tow vehicle to it ????

[Gigattime]

Originally Posted by rideandslide

Agree about tire age and tire care, but cannot relate tow vehicle to it ????

Pointing out the added stability that a larger truck may or may not provide. Harder to move a larger truck in a sway condition in my experience.

[BrianGlenn]

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

The only reason a MFG will tell people not to jack under he axle is because some goofball will no doubt put the jack to far under the trailer and bend the axle. I too use a 6 ton Harbor Freight bottle jack.

The axle tube wall thickness is very thin; creating a point load with the jack can dent the tube (likely), or crush it (not as likely) - compromising the axle.

There are cradles that are made to lift round axles, if you want to go that route.

Brian

[JUS1MO]

I have the Trailer Aid and 4 way lug wrench but DON"T want to use them.. My tires are Provider ST205/75R14 which came on my Micro Minnie 2106DS. Never heard of them so I did the research and found out that they are 81MPH tires. I was going to change them to Goodyear Endurance but decided to give these a try..

[DaveA56]

+x rated comments. I found the lug nuts differ on the wheels and the spare. I bought a new extending wrench with the right sockets from amazon. Then made sure the spare the hub on top of that. I found the scissors jack from my truck worked fine placed the under the spring plate. No flats yet but I'm ready, I hope!

Good luck.

[schrederman]

My last trailer had TorFlex axles and the tires were close together. We got the trailer aid ramp for it and I checked to be sure it would lift the other wheel off the ground. It did work. I wish I had let it go with the trailer when I sold it. My new trailer has a lot more space between the axles and it will NOT lift the other wheel adequately. So I have a bottle jack and an aluminum floor jack. I also have a 4-way lug wrench and a 25" break-over bad with appropriate sockets for truck and trailer. Unfortunately I've used all of those since August...

[wa8yxm]

Originally Posted by Jimbow

I use a Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge to call AAA or USAA. ��

by far the best reply ....

I woudl suggest a FLOOR type jack, rather than a bottle jack, two reasons.

1: The floor jack, when "retracted" (DOWN) is not as tall as the Bottle jack so it goes under whatever easier, and 2: When fully extended they are often taller

I've had issues with using bottle jacks where I had to jack it up, then place a jack stand, then move the jack, then move the jack stand and so on several times. Before I could change the tire.

A side note: A bottle jack that fits nicely when the tire is inflated.. MIGHT NOT FIT when the tire is flat...

I carry a 2-ton floor jack
an 6 ton and a 12 ton bottle jack. The latter is air operated.

[Gigattime]

Depending on your tow vehicle, you may already have an appropriate bottle jack on board.

[Mayberry32]

Originally Posted by Gigattime

In all three cases, the owners ignored the timeout and were running tires that were 6-10 years old. Not sure about their inflation since it wasn't our unit.

What is the rule of thumb on these tires? Is there a set number of seasons where they should be replaced regardless of mileage?

[Gigattime]

Trailer Life, March 2017, had a whole section/article titled, Spring Opener. In that article, it suggested maintenance and care for RV owners to consider/perform in the spring. It included a paragraph on tires too. I would research the specific tire/manufacturer for their recommendation to see for sure, but my personal belief is 7 years tops. The article suggests 3-5 for ST Tires.

[Gigattime]

[Palms]

What about for single axle trailers without springs that use torsion bar suspension like the 1900 series Rickwood Minilites. What to use in this case?