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TravisH · 02-08-2023, 05:09 PM

Hi,

I'm full timing 30 miles from a tire shop. Many don't want to list AS and I'm not sure I want them to either!

Dual axle 25' Flying Cloud do you think I could remove one tire of each side and the AS be stable on just 2 wheels? I don't want to use jack stands which I don't have anyways!

Not a big deal as I'm staying put for the next 3 months and go to town every weekend.

This seems like the easiest approach to me if it's ok to do this.

Thanks!

Trav

**richard5933** · 02-08-2023, 06:40 PM

A pair of jack stands is not very expensive and can be found in many box stores.

I'd be concerned that pulling one wheel off each side at the same time would mean the remaining two wheels/tires are carrying twice the normal load.

**azflycaster** · 02-08-2023, 06:47 PM

I do a side at a time with a floor jack and a pair of jack stands.

TravisH · 02-08-2023, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azflycaster

I do a side at a time with a floor jack and a pair of jack stands.

I don't have jack stands nor floor jack....I thought we're not supposed to put pressure on the axles and it'd be a pretty tall jack stand to reach to body...and is there a second jack point since the jack would be using the one?

Any other suggestions to get tires changed by not bringing the AS to the tire shop?

Thanks!

Trav

SSquared · 02-08-2023, 07:43 PM

It is common practice to change a single tire by running the other tire on that side up on a ramp. I don't think you would have a problem doing both sides at once.

Last time I took my 25FB to a tire shop for new tires, that is exactly what I did. It was only for a few minutes instead of hours, but it worked out fine. Also, I kept the tow vehicle hitched to the trailer for stability--do you have a second vehicle?

John Ware · 02-08-2023, 07:44 PM

Trav, how are you planning on lifting your trailer? If you're using a ramp just remove and carry one tire at a time into town. I jack up and place the jack stands on the large bracket that holds the axles to the frame in front of or behind the tires. It may not have been Kosher but I did the same thing as SSquared did by using two ramps.

Dennis C · 02-08-2023, 08:06 PM

I used a mobile tire service to change the tires on my Airstream. They met me where it was parked. They jacked it up without moving it and the mobile truck had a spin balancer onboard. It was fast and easy and my Airstream never moved. I had Dill metal valve stems waiting for the installation. Easy peasy.

**azflycaster** · 02-08-2023, 08:07 PM

The problem with the ramp is that you would need to keep the trailer attached to the truck to keep the rig stable. That could work if you had another truck to transport the tires to the shop. We have a truck an a Mini Cooper...

**DKB_SATX** · 02-08-2023, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TravisH

I don't have jack stands nor floor jack....I thought we're not supposed to put pressure on the axles and it'd be a pretty tall jack stand to reach to body...and is there a second jack point since the jack would be using the one?

Any other suggestions to get tires changed by not bringing the AS to the tire shop?

Thanks!

Trav

There's a steel flange to which the axles are bolted. It runs a bit forward and aft of the axles and is attached to the trailer's frame. THAT is what I use to lift the trailer and to support with jack stands once lifted. I use a bottle jack to the flange between the front and rear tires, but Discount Tire lifted it in the same place (after I showed them where) with a floor jack.

John Ware · 02-08-2023, 08:22 PM

Richard, I got timed out so I have to add that my trailer was connected to my tractor when I ramped both sides at the same time.

Slimpockets · 02-08-2023, 09:11 PM

I ran my 25’ safari up on blocks under one Axel to remove 2 tires. I also disconnected the truck. It worked for me.

**richard5933** · 02-09-2023, 04:09 AM

If you are going to try doing two tires at the same time (one from each side) then be sure that the other tires are inflated to the max on the sidewall.

It won't matter too much when it's the two older tires still on the trailer since you're replacing them, but overloading the new tires would be something to avoid if at all possible. Do the math and compare your trailer's actual axle weight against the capacity of the new tires at full inflation. If it would overload them only having two on the trailer I'd avoid it. Damage to tires from overloading can occur and be hidden for quite some time, and I wouldn't want to start out with tires stressed out from day one. Perhaps your trailer is light enough that the two tires are okay, but you need to do the math.

Otherwise, I'd go to Harbor Freight or Walmart and buy a jack and jack stands. You can gift them to someone, sell them, or whatever afterwards, but if it saves you from potentially damaging the tires I'd say it's worth it.

My guess is that someone in your campground is carry both a jack and jack stands that you could borrow.

Fungus · 02-09-2023, 01:41 PM

Unhitched.
Chocked.
Pull out the spare. Reconnect the spare holder.
Lift one side at the jack point.
Place a jack stand under the aforementioned bracket just for safety although there is a wheel on the ground on that side.
Remove one wheel and mount spare there.
Remove other wheel.
Lower trailer a bit.
Haul both to the tire shop.
Return to the trailer.
Lift trailer a bit.
Mount wheel.
Remove spare and mount that wheel.
Rinse.
Repeat.

John Ware · 02-09-2023, 02:21 PM

You forgot step 16: Have a cold one or two.

Dennis C · 02-09-2023, 02:30 PM

Much easier with fewer steps:

1. Pay a mobile tire service to come to your Airstream and change your tires.
2. Have a cold one or two as you watch them do it.

Fungus · 02-09-2023, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Ware

You forgot step 16: Have a cold one or two.

I knew I was forgetting something.

Mollysdad · 02-15-2023, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

There's a steel flange to which the axles are bolted. It runs a bit forward and aft of the axles and is attached to the trailer's frame. THAT is what I use to lift the trailer and to support with jack stands once lifted. I use a bottle jack to the flange between the front and rear tires, but Discount Tire lifted it in the same place (after I showed them where) with a floor jack.

You took the words out of my mouth. That's exactly what I've done.
I have a floor jack, but found it won't fit between the tires, so I used it behind the rear tire. Also, between my tires on the curb side is the flimsy fresh water drain, and I don't want that touched.
Discount Tire is great. I stood there with the tire tech and told him where to put the jack. (He thought the pan was the frame! Yikes!)

If you prefer to take the tires off yourself, I'd take the two off one side, making absolutely sure the other side is chocked and locked.
I think a bottle jack and a jack stand are the correct tools here.

Ky76Argosy · 02-15-2023, 11:48 AM

Dual Axles. If so raise up one axle take off tire on other. Repeat.

ROBERT CROSS · 02-15-2023, 11:49 AM

^^^^^^^^^^

Like here.....

Bob
🇺🇸

kbmwrs · 02-16-2023, 10:40 AM

Wow just did this myself on Monday. I WAS going to use and Anderson ramp on each side thus removing both wheels from both sides of an axle. But alas the ground was soft and the Anderson sunk into the ground just enough so not to lift a tire free. So we ended up lifting using an Anderson and doing one wheel at a time. 4 trips to the installer later and all new tires. Made for a long day.