The Flat Tire Fixed! and lessons learned

[thecatsandi]

Well this afternoon I managed to get the trailer up high enough to get the right rear tire off. First off, I am glad this did not happen on the side of I-95. I have roadside assistance but they would have just put my spare on.

I found out quickly that I did not have all the required tools. I could not find my 3/4 socket however I am sure I would have broken it since it is 3/8 drive. After a trip to the local auto parts store. I picked up one of those Cross style tire wrenches. I managed to just brely get all six nuts loose.

Now for the lift. I stacked four 2X8/10s staggered in front of the tire and hooked Buttercup up to the truck. I pulled her forward about a foot and she looked un-confortably cocked to one side. The four boards raised the tire about 6 inches off the ground. Well high enough to get the tire off. Once removed, I backed trailer down off the boards disconnected the truck and threw the tire in the back of the truck.

I took a look at the now removed tire. At first glace it looked like a simple puncture. I dropped it off at the local Goodyear place (closest tire shop I could find). They said it would be about an hour. I went for a little drive and had lunch. I stopped back about an hour later. The manager said "well we have a problem. The sidewall is puctured. The tire is not repairable."

Oh wait I may have road hazard coverage for the trailer. Luckily I had the trailer docs with me. I called the company and they required pre-approval to replace the tire. A lttle stringent and I guess ther way of getting out of paying since how many people are actually going to call if they are on the road. However, they had not actually done the mounting yet. We got the approval and they are going to pay the $145 for the new tire, mounting, etc. I was willing to eat the $10 or $20 to repair the tire it would have been more hassle than it was worth to file a claim.

I bought the tire back to the house. Hooked up the truck to the trailer and pulled her back up on now three boards. Four was just a little too high. I guess when she gets older it wil require more boards. I put the tire back on and tighted the lugs nuts. Backed the trailer up off the boards and chocked the tires. Disconnected the truck one last time. I tighted all the lug nuts a tight as I could get them with the cross wrench. I was half expecting the thing to break.

Now I have to go get a 1/2 drive 3/4 socket to fit on my torque wrench. I have one of these but it is several thousand miles away in Montana. Guess I will have to go to Sears and pick on up just to have for these situations.

I am glad I had this happen in my sisters driveway. It was valuable lesson in proceedure and tools.

[enduroryda]

You sure are having your share of adventures...I am sending Karma your way in hopes the New Year will be better to you and your trailer.

...... I just picked up some 2x8 boards from a work site next to my shop to be prepared for this event...better safe than sorry.

[Phil Gobie]

Life is an adventure!

[str8strm]

Maybe it's just me, but there's something about a woman who talks about 3/4 inch sockets and 3/8 inch drives. In fact, I married one. We're both sorry to hear about your bad luck. But it sounds like it all worked out in the end. Good luck on your next outing. Ron

[thecatsandi]

2X10s or 2X12s work better. bigger target.

[thecatsandi]

Ron,
Now if I can just find the right person who is turned on by talk of tools. I am all set!
Hey you want to see my roll around cabinet?

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by thecatsandi

Hey you want to see my roll around cabinet?

Mine is bigger than yours...

[tin sista]

Hey Michelle,
Hope your guardian angel is getting overtime/holiday pay been a little busy for her since the accident eh? Glad it happened in your sisters driveway too!

Originally Posted by thecatsandi

Luckily I had the trailer docs with me. I called the company and they required pre-approval to replace the tire. A lttle stringent and I guess ther way of getting out of paying since how many people are actually going to call if they are on the road. However, they had not actually done the mounting yet. We got the approval and they are going to pay the $145 for the new tire, mounting, etc.

I wouldn't call that luck, I'd call that great organization!! Way to go! Good for you!
Happy New Year from sunny Michigan

[overlander63]

I still think leveling blocks are easier to use to make a ramp to pull your trailer up on to change a tire. They are easier to store, too.

[Pick]

Hey, Michelle, if you are ever near a Pep Boys auto parts store, they have Goodyear battery operated 24 volt impact wrenches. I got mine for $89.95. They have all the right standard and metric lug nut size impact sockets and an extension included with a nifty carrying case.

I used mine tonight to come to a neighbors rescue. His father did the wheel bearings on his boat trailer. He put one race and bearing in backwards. The whole wheel assembly almost fell off. Luckily he had just pulled the boat to the gas station to fill it up for fishing tomorrow, when he discovered the smoking wheel. 2 neighbors and 2 hours later we had him back on the road.

[thecatsandi]

Ok you show me yours and I'll show you mine.

Reminds me of when I finally got the new cap put on the new truck. I was at the Dealer near Cleveland. THe young gentleman sitting next to me Ask what I had and why I was there. I told him I had the F-250 diesel and they were putting a cap on. I asked him what he had and why he was there. He replied a Chevy something 1500 and they were putting on lights. He did not say much after that.

[thecatsandi]

The blocks may be easier but I already had the boards for leveling the trailer and putting it soft ground.

[thecatsandi]

Now that sounds like a great idea! I will look around tomorrow when I am out.

[Silvertwinkie]

Hey, we've all been there at one time or another....here's some karma in hopes you have better luck in the coming new year!

[john hd]

michelle

just make sure you retorque those lug nuts after 100 miles!

john

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by thecatsandi

Ok you show me yours and I'll show you mine.

Here's mine. I got an error message: File too large. Had to chop the far end off it...

[thecatsandi]

Well they are probably coming back off in about 100 miles. The dealer will remove them to check the brakes. When I get to the can opener I will have tocheck them again. I checked them when I got the trailer and on lug nut on each wheel was loose.

[thecatsandi]

Ok here is mine!

[Goin camping]

I am getting toolbox envy. It only takes two strong men to lift mine. Yours need a forklift.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Goin camping

I am getting toolbox envy. It only takes two strong men to lift mine. Yours need a forklift.

Michelle's and mine both roll pretty easily. When I have to move mine, I call a flatbed towtruck. Can you say "hernia"?