Trailer-Aid for changing flats

[mtpalms]

Hi All! This is my first post in these forums. I did a search first and couldn't find an answer so here goes -
Would a Trailer-Aid: Click here to view it, be a good investment? I have noticed that changing a tire can be a difficult and frustrating thing using conventional methods, and I wondered if there are any pros or cons to using a Trailer-Aid. I notice Camping World sells 'em too - for $21 more than my source!

[casarodante]

First off, welcome to the forums!

I had looked at one of those but I am able to get enough elevation with these leveling blocks. Plus I can also use them normally.

[j54mark]

I bought a six ton bottle jack for about half that price. It has the added advantage of being available if the tongue jack fails.

Mark

[maznblu]

I carry a yellow plastic Trailer Aid in my Airstream, but have only ever used it, so far, as a block under the electric jack. I carry the taller steel Trailer Aid in my horse trailer and that came in very handy once. Extremely stable and no worries about the trailer falling off or the jack failing. Also no need to unload the horses. In my view, a good investment.
Eugenie

[Inland RV Center, In]

The best Trailer Aid for "Tandem axle owners," is a couple of lengths of 2 x 6's.

No need for any jack, ever.

Pull the trailers good tire up on the 2 x 6's and remove the flat.

Done. No safety issues, No flat surface requirements. No looking for that "right" jacking point.

Andy

[mtpalms]

All very constructive replies, thanks. We've got an abundance of bottle jacks, and the leveling block and 2X6 ideas sound good, and less expensive than a Trailer-Aid.
Seriously Andy, how long would a 'length' of 2 X 6 be? I would guess 3ft would be adequate?

[05ModPod]

Hi

Sorry to jump in on this thread or revive it - but as usual I am having problems starting a new thread - hope I have not been blackballed

Question: If you were to have a flat on a tandem which is the best one to go? Rear left or right - Front left or right.

I know none would be the ideal answer but if you are in a situation where you may have a suspicious tire - before you can get it changed.....

Thanks for any insight.

[wrepete]

The good thing about the 2 x 6's is they are often useful for leveling on the parking site. I use three of them [actually 2 x 8's], with the shortest one the same length as the footprint of the tandem wheels, then each is about 12" longer than the one above, centered beneath. I drill a couple of oversized holes to drop a bolt in to keep them from slipping away from each other. . . Many years of use have proved them to be very valuable for changing a tire, or parking both wheels on them. [I coated them with marine polyeurathane to keep them relatively clean, and to prevent soaking up moisture.]

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by GT6921

Hi

Sorry to jump in on this thread or revive it - but as usual I am having problems starting a new thread - hope I have not been blackballed

Question: If you were to have a flat on a tandem which is the best one to go? Rear left or right - Front left or right.

I know none would be the ideal answer but if you are in a situation where you may have a suspicious tire - before you can get it changed.....

Thanks for any insight.

Left Front.
You have the best chance of seeing it when it goes, because it is closest to you. It will also be away from most plumbing. If the tire is that bad you are concerned it is going to blow, why not just remove it, and limp to a tire store on three wheels, and replace the bad tire?

[TomW]

There was a thread a while back where DavidZ71 solicited opinions on which tire would be most likely to go. I believe the consensus was either of the aft tires because the forward tires have a tendancy to, in effect, "set up" a piece of debris to puncture the tire behind it.

Although you asked for the "best" tire, I thought it might benefit you to know the most "likely" tire to give problems.

Tom