Getting Tires Off/On My Tradewind

onemanclan · 08-31-2009, 07:30 AM

Hi Everyone,

So you pick out tires. How do you get them changed? Regular tire places aren't going to unhitch your trailer and put it up on the rack...Can I put some blocks under my leveling jacks and lift up the entire trailer to get my 4 tires off? Is this safe? Is there a better way? I'm thinking of simply taking the wheels down to Sears and having them throw some tires on for me. Also, can't I just use some regular car tires (a bit on the heavier duty side)? My 25' Tradewind isn't any heavier than many cars (I would think). Thanks in advance for any suggestions you may have.

Melody Ranch · 08-31-2009, 08:17 AM

All the tire shops I use have, and use, floor jacks to raise the trailer. ...yours should too. Its a one side at a time deal....not a hoist like you see in the shops your talking about. Be absolutely sure they know where to jack from. A hole in the belly pan or a bent axle could occur if they do the wrong thing.

Don't use car tires.

**Action** · 08-31-2009, 08:48 AM

Car tires, ones that the size starts with "P" will not have the load capacity to support the load and forces required of a travel trailer of any type. Side walls flex a lot more on a trailer than on a car. Most cars weigh less than 3000#'s now in an effort to increase fuel economy. Passenger car tire are just not designed to do the job on a trailer. My older Overlander weighs in at 5000#'s. The newer an Airstream the more it weighs as the company made them wider and added more features. An trailers of all types tend to gain weight as they age. Things get left in the trailer and it will weigh more.

Action

ROBERT CROSS · 08-31-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onemanclan

Hi Everyone,
...Can I put some blocks under my leveling jacks and lift up the entire trailer to get my 4 tires off? Is this safe? Is there a better way?

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!

Use the marked jack points or the frame plates that the axles are bolted too....

barbara4rb · 08-31-2009, 10:28 AM

Hi
I recently had new tires done by Discount Tire. They had a place in the back of the store where their big trucks come in and unload. I had to back the trailer up the ramp (had lots of helpers on that one). I had coordinated with the DT manager. He had two of his guys on it had the job done in about 20 minutes.

I posted pics here.

Jacked up Airstream for new tires