|
|
12-27-2006, 04:17 PM
|
#1
|
More than one rivet loose
Currently Looking...
Los Alamos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,756
|
The Flat Tire Fixed! and lessons learned
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.
__________________
Michelle TAC MT-0
Sarah, Snowball
Looking for a 1962 Flying Cloud
|
|
|
12-27-2006, 04:50 PM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
1994 21' Sovereign
Down on the corner...
, CT
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 997
|
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.
__________________
Ann & Eric
WBCCI 6274
TAC CT-4
NEU
|
|
|
12-27-2006, 04:58 PM
|
#3
|
4 Rivet Member
1977 31' Sovereign
Miami
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 279
|
Life is an adventure!
|
|
|
12-27-2006, 04:58 PM
|
#4
|
Rivet Master
1985 34.5' Airstream 345
Tujunga
, California
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,969
|
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
__________________
Ron and Debbie Lawrence
1985 345 Motorhome...... delightfully tacky......yet unrefined
AIR 7992
|
|
|
12-27-2006, 05:16 PM
|
#5
|
More than one rivet loose
Currently Looking...
Los Alamos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,756
|
2X10s or 2X12s work better. bigger target.
__________________
Michelle TAC MT-0
Sarah, Snowball
Looking for a 1962 Flying Cloud
|
|
|
12-27-2006, 05:17 PM
|
#6
|
More than one rivet loose
Currently Looking...
Los Alamos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,756
|
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?
__________________
Michelle TAC MT-0
Sarah, Snowball
Looking for a 1962 Flying Cloud
|
|
|
12-27-2006, 05:47 PM
|
#7
|
Retired.
Currently Looking...
.
, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by thecatsandi
Hey you want to see my roll around cabinet?
|
Mine is bigger than yours...
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
|
|
|
12-27-2006, 05:54 PM
|
#8
|
We can tow it!
1996 28' Excella
Where the water tastes like wine
, Michigan
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,625
|
Great idea about the boards
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!
Quote:
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
|
|
|
12-27-2006, 06:01 PM
|
#9
|
Retired.
Currently Looking...
.
, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
|
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.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
|
|
|
12-27-2006, 06:46 PM
|
#10
|
Moderator Emeritus
1972 31' Sovereign
High Springs
, Florida
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 2,311
|
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.
__________________
ARS WA8ZYT
2003 GMC 2500HD 4X4 D/A Ext. Cab
Propane Powered Honda EU2000i
Lots of Hot Sauce!
Air # 283
WBCCI 1350
|
|
|
12-27-2006, 07:15 PM
|
#11
|
More than one rivet loose
Currently Looking...
Los Alamos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,756
|
Mine just might be bigger than yours
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.
__________________
Michelle TAC MT-0
Sarah, Snowball
Looking for a 1962 Flying Cloud
|
|
|
12-27-2006, 07:17 PM
|
#12
|
More than one rivet loose
Currently Looking...
Los Alamos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,756
|
The blocks may be easier but I already had the boards for leveling the trailer and putting it soft ground.
__________________
Michelle TAC MT-0
Sarah, Snowball
Looking for a 1962 Flying Cloud
|
|
|
12-27-2006, 07:20 PM
|
#13
|
More than one rivet loose
Currently Looking...
Los Alamos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,756
|
Now that sounds like a great idea! I will look around tomorrow when I am out.
__________________
Michelle TAC MT-0
Sarah, Snowball
Looking for a 1962 Flying Cloud
|
|
|
12-27-2006, 07:23 PM
|
#14
|
Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
|
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!
|
|
|
12-27-2006, 07:32 PM
|
#15
|
Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
|
michelle
just make sure you retorque those lug nuts after 100 miles!
john
__________________
you call them ferrets, i call them weasels.
|
|
|
12-27-2006, 07:46 PM
|
#16
|
Retired.
Currently Looking...
.
, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
|
Okay.
Quote:
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...
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
|
|
|
12-27-2006, 07:52 PM
|
#17
|
More than one rivet loose
Currently Looking...
Los Alamos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,756
|
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.
__________________
Michelle TAC MT-0
Sarah, Snowball
Looking for a 1962 Flying Cloud
|
|
|
12-27-2006, 08:00 PM
|
#18
|
More than one rivet loose
Currently Looking...
Los Alamos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,756
|
Ok here is mine!
__________________
Michelle TAC MT-0
Sarah, Snowball
Looking for a 1962 Flying Cloud
|
|
|
12-27-2006, 08:05 PM
|
#19
|
Rivet Master
1960 22' Safari
in the wilderness
, The great Mojave Desert
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,077
|
I am getting toolbox envy. It only takes two strong men to lift mine. Yours need a forklift.
__________________
I'd rather be boon docking in the desert.
WBCCI 3344 FCU
AIR# 13896
CA 4
Yes, we have courtesy parking for you. About an hour North of Los Angeles.
|
|
|
12-27-2006, 08:10 PM
|
#20
|
Retired.
Currently Looking...
.
, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
|
Quote:
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"?
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|