Community Forums

tickranch · 02-15-2010, 03:24 PM

We will be picking up our new 5r sometime around the end of this month or first of next month, and I was just wondering what some of you do in case you break down on the road. I carry road flares in my truck now, but was considering getting the reflective triangles. Also I have been thinking about getting a cordless impact wrench for changing a flat tire, and or tightening the lug nuts. I was wondering if they would be worth the expense, and if the battery would hold up. Of course, my tool box is just like an American Express card...I don't leave home without it! Any other tips/advise would be appreicated!

RVThere · 02-15-2010, 03:51 PM

Keep all your safety and repair items on the passenger side of your truck and rig. I found out in June while stuck on I-78 for three hours that you can get safety triangles and flares out of cubbies on the driver side when trucks are flying by at 75 MPH!

Also invest in an RV road service plan like AAA RV or Good Sam.

Ray,IN · 02-15-2010, 05:31 PM

DOT has it's own safety/emergency equipment recommendations/requirements, available online. Plan to spend money to purchase an impact wrench with capacity to remove lug nuts that have been tightened with an air impact. Those cheaper 12V one's usually have insufficient power.

AFChap · 02-15-2010, 05:59 PM

Quote:

RV road service plan like AAA RV or Good Sam

...or Coach-Net ... and/or ask your dealer if any road service plan comes with your new rig. Many mfg'ers provide 1 yr road service with a new RV...

**NLOVNIT** · 02-15-2010, 07:34 PM

We have the road service plan that came with our coach. Never had to use it, but am glad it's there. There's no way either of us could change a tire on our rv! Although we do have one of these folding safety cones. The light is really bright.

Lori-

Half Dimes · 02-15-2010, 09:25 PM

First and foremost we have an ERS plan and a cell phone. Have had to use both twice in 12 years. In the event that we are really out of range somewhere, I carry a couple of 6 ton bottle jacks, emergency triangles, and a long handled wrench. I torque the lug nuts to spec myself so I'm confident I could remove them myself if I had to. I've made sure (in the comfort of our side yard) that I can remove the spare from its hiding spot and change the tire.

Keep in mind, we have a fiver. If we had a MH, forget it; the only option is road service.

StStg1 · 02-16-2010, 08:40 AM

We carry ERS by Good Sam and have used it three times in the last six years. We will not risk our health or injury trying to change tires or other stuff. If we are out of cell phone range, the CB radio wll help and if that fails, we will try to flag down help. We do carry the collapseable trafic cones and sets of sockets and wrenches for something minor.

MACRacing · 02-17-2010, 06:43 PM

I have both road flares and the safety triangles. I also carry a 12 ton bottle jack and breaker bar with two extensions and the correct socket for the lugs. The only thing with a bottle jack is make sure you have a place on the frame you can set the jack up to and get the right height to get a tire off. They have limited range. You might also need some blocks to put the jack on. If you do make the blocks big enough for a good base and strong enough not to split under the weight of the motor home. I am new to this forum and I am assuming the 5r is a fifth wheel. If its a tandem axel I would look at the drive on ramp that you put on the side of the flat to drive the other tire on and lifts the flat off the ground. I have never used one but they appear simple.

12V impact wrench. The newer cordless ones have the power to put on and take off most normal lugs. However the time you are in need it will be the time you forgot to charge it. Just keep the lugs in good shape. Take them off each year and anti-seize the lugs, keep them at the correct torque and keep a breaker bar and extension handy.

Mat