Flat tire...

Craig · 07-11-2003, 09:48 AM

I had a very successful maiden voyage moving my trailer to it's summer home - Jersey Shore Airstream Haven. The first weekend also went great, but after 8 months preparing I wasn't expecting any problems...

The only minor problem was that (after we parked the trailer) one of the valve stems on a tire went and the tire lost it's air. I know the best way to remove the tire would be to pull the trailer up onto something (since it's dual axle), however is there any way I could replace the tire without moving the trailer? I have it all parked nice and snug in it's spot. Could I jack up the axle just high enough to get the new tire on, or jack up the trailer using the frame?? I was actually thinking about digging out enough ground below the tire to put the new one on and attacking the problem that way.

Thanks!

uwe · 07-11-2003, 09:53 AM

You can put a jack on teh axle mount plate, which is right between teh two wheels, and lift the trailer enough to get the wheel out.
I would remove all the support jacks first, and chock the wheels on the other side. When the tire is off, you can put the trailer back down on the remaining wheel for a while. It will carry the load. Loosen the lug nuts for the wheel to be removed one turn before jacking up the trailer.

Chas · 07-11-2003, 09:54 AM

If you could get a jack under the axle end right at the backside of the backing plate you might be able to jack up the wheel in question without disturbing the rest of the trailer. You would need a floor jack with a lift cup on it for this as the axle end will move according to the normal arc of travel, possibly popping off of a typical bottle jack or the like. Just a warning, it could be dicey to do it this way and most people would probably not attempt it.

You may want to just be safe and crank up all your stabilizers and do it the right way.

Chas

Craig · 07-11-2003, 10:02 AM

Chas - I was told previously never to use the stabilizer jacks to raise the trailer...

Inland RV Center, In · 07-11-2003, 10:06 AM

BAL jacks are "stabilizer jacks," not lifting jacks.

Take a good look at their constuction, and convince yourself that each on can lift a couple of thousands of pounds, or more.

Not a chance.

Additionally, especially with larger models, sheet metal damage usually occurs when suspending a trailer, improperly, over a great distance.

Using a bottle jack will solve the problem.

Andy

Craig · 07-11-2003, 10:09 AM

Andy,

Is the best way to use a bottle jack on the axle mount plate - as Uwe suggested?

Thanks!

Inland RV Center, In · 07-11-2003, 10:13 AM

Absolutely!!!!!

Andy

Craig · 07-11-2003, 10:16 AM

THANKS, ANDY!!!!!!!!

Is the axle mount plate obvious? I don't have the trailer here to look at.

Inland RV Center, In · 07-11-2003, 10:25 AM

Craig.

In your case, the axle mounting plate is longer than the wheel well itself, and it goes downward from the frame almost 3 inches.

It's the same plate that your axles are bolted to.

Andy

Chas · 07-11-2003, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Craig
Chas - I was told previously never to use the stabilizer jacks to raise the trailer...

Craig,

I guess you misunderstood me. Even if you (or I) were dense enough to try I don't think they would lift a trailer, they would probably collapse and strip out. If you are jacking your trailer up in the approved method with any suitable jack (floor jack or bottle jack) you would need to raise all your stabilizer jacks to keep the undue shifting weight and stress off of them.

Chas

Pahaska · 07-11-2003, 12:49 PM

I knew what you were saying, Chas. I thought that it was pretty obvious what you meant, but it elicited some knee-jerk reactions as posts often do.