how to change a trailer tire
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Topic: how to change a trailer tire
Posted By: chasl
Subject: how to change a trailer tire
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2021 at 7:48am
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We have r-pod 196 and I have a few questions about changing a tire in the event that I may need to while out on the road. 1. will my TV jack (scissor jack, RAM 1500) work, or other. I carry a 2 ton bottle jack also. It doesn't have as much rise as the scissor jack. 2. where do I place the jack on trailer to lift a tire? I didn't see a tire changing guide in the 196 manual. Thanks in advance. We are newbies. Charles ------------- cl |
Replies:
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2021 at 11:25am
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As close as possible to the wheel. Your bottle jack will be fine. On our 177 there is a metal bracket under the axle so you aren't putting direct pressure on the axle. We use a floor jack- same principle as with using your bottle jack. If you have room your could always place a scrap 2x6 under the bottle jack to get additional lift. We picked up a 2 ton floor jack at Harbor Freight years ago, easier to use than a floor jack, although it does take up more precious cargo space but it does lift the pod up quite easily. ------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: Dirt Sifter
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2021 at 12:11pm
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I used to carry a bottle jack, but decided it was easier to move the dog toys and blanket out of the back seat to access the TV jack than empty the storage pass thru to get to the bottle jack. One of the forum members, I think it was StephenH has a template for a wooden block to lift the axle without putting pressure on it. The block fits between the jack and the axle attachment points so there's no additional pressure on the axle itself while lifting it. ------------- Greg n Deb 2020 195 HRE '07 Tundra 5.7L., '17 Tacoma 3.5L. Both with tow packages 1 Puggle, 1 Chihuahua support staff |
Posted By: podwerkz
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2021 at 12:25pm
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Also make sure you have a '4-way' that will fit those lugnuts. ------------- r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten! |
Posted By: poston
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2021 at 12:37pm
+1 on that. On our 2nd trip, we had one of the cheapo original tires blow out on the "Loneliest Highway in America." I had to unhitch and drive 120 miles round trip to the nearest town to get a 4-way lug wrench. But now I have it! ------------- -- Jim Virginia City, Nevada 2016 R-pod 180 2015 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X |
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2021 at 1:01pm
Drove it as well and thought it would be a PITA if I broke down out here! Thankfully we didn't. I carry an 18" breaker bar for 1/2" sockets. Multiple uses for it and stores nicely. I also like the bottle jack, since I still carry those yellow blocks for leveling, they'll work under the jack. Well, I do hope they will anyway... ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2021 at 1:13pm
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We carry a torque wrench (ratchet type) and socket. It works for both checking torque, a necessity for safe travels, and for removing lug nuts. If you decide to go that route, be sure to get a deep socket so it can reach the lug nuts. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2021 at 1:18pm
+1 That is what we do as well, deep well socket . . . . . . . priceless! ------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2021 at 1:59pm
Like that thought! High enough setting and it could replace my breaker bar. I believe I may switch it out. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2021 at 3:37pm
LA, not sure it's a good idea to use a precision instrument like a torque wrench to remove lug bolts. I use a dumb old 3/4 inch breaker bar for that so I can stand on it if I need to, and a half inch ratchet to install them. The torque wrench is used for setting torque only, then back in in its pretty plastic case it goes... ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: podwerkz
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2021 at 3:44pm
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At any rate, carry something to remove and re-install the lug nuts. I use a plain ol' 4 way lug wrench: Breaks the nuts loose, spins 'em off and spins 'em on. Can also be used to lever/lift the tire and wheel up so that the holes match up to the studs. Easy peezy.
------------- r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten! |
Posted By: Pod_Geek
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2021 at 4:06pm
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I would love it if someone would post a picture of exactly where to place a jack on a 195/196. I'm terrified of breaking the Pod. ------------- 2020.5 R-Pod 195 Hood River 2018 RAM 2500 6.4L |
Posted By: podwerkz
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2021 at 4:25pm
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Right under the axle bracket or flange near the frame. ------------- r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten! |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2021 at 4:36pm
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Our torque wrench works fine for emergencies. It has a lockable position that doesn't affect the torque measurement. It's not as though we are taking wheels off and on on a frequent basis. If it happens once a year that would be a lot. Given the desire to minimize tools and weight in the tool box, there is little point in carrying unneeded tools. At home a breaker bar is available and is used. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2021 at 5:41pm
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I would add a BIG MAYBE as to whether the bottle jack will work. Ask me how I know!! We had a flat tire and had a bottle jack. However, with 14" tires and it being flat, the bottle jack was too high to fit under the pod axle flange. Luckily, a highway safety truck stopped and used a floor jack and we were on our way. We stopped at the next town with a Harbor Freight and bought a low profile 3 ton floor jack for about $65. it lives in the pod and is much easier to deal with than a bottle jack. There are several other small floor jacks available. the handles come off and they store flat, weigh less than 20# and are great for flats as well as routine tire/brake maintenance. One additional safety precaution that hasn't been mentioned--leave the trailer hitched to the tow vehicle , engage the parking brake and block the trailer tire that is still good. You do not want in movement of the trailer while it is supported by a jack vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: Hardwear Hank
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2021 at 6:03pm
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Strongly agree... |
Posted By: chasl
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2021 at 2:34pm
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thanks to all for the ideas and advice. I may purchase that short floor jack. I haven't crawled under with the bottle jack to see what might happen, but will do so. ------------- cl |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2021 at 4:03pm
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Tire inflated, bottle jack works. Tire flat, it is very iffy whether there is enough clearance. A small floor jack is better, even though it takes up a bit more room. I gave up on using the car jack when the one we had in the Escape bent while trying to lift the RPod. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: podwerkz
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2021 at 5:50pm
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If your bottle jack is too tall when the tire is too flat, just put your leveling blocks (or a 2x6 board or similar) in position behind the flat tire, and back the trailer up so that the flat tire and rim are lifted enough...a couple of inches will do it. Once you have the axle raised, and pull the flat off, move the leveling blocks out of the way, then proceed to mount the spare. ------------- r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten! |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 28 May 2021 at 12:05pm
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Just changed a tire after a cross-country trip, swapping the spare for the right side tire. A couple of things I noticed and am very glad this didn't happen on the road: After our return, I bought a 20 ton bottle low profile bottle jack [way overkill] from Amazon [ http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E2P012G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E2P012G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ] that has a 6.5" unextended height. It was super easy to use and fit nicely under the axle leaf spring in my case for an easy tire change. It'd be a good idea to check the clearance, subtracting for the deflated tire, to see if it'd work on your trailer.
The second thing I learned is that the nuts that hold the tire on the rack on the back aren't necessarily the same size as the lug nuts. In my case 3/4" for the lug nuts and 13/16" for the tire mount. If I had been out on the road, I wouldn't have been able to get the spare off the mount. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |