In case you have a flat

[ghaag]

I am on my 3rd Airstream and had my first flat. I thought I would pass along what I learned in case it might help someone else. This occurred on a 2014 30' Flying Cloud. First, in case you do not know, (at least my model did not) it does not come with a jack. The manual recommends changing with leveling blocks. I had leveling blocks, but not enough to get my trailer high enough to get the new tire on. I made it to a Walmart and purchased the item below and it was perfect. I would guess you need something to get the good tire approximately 8" off the ground to compensate for the drop in the axle with the flat (see picture below). In all likely hood there is a better way to do this, but this solution worked for me and I hope it helps someone else be prepared in advance.
Safe Travels!
Greg

[KJRitchie]

I wonder if Lynx blocks would work. I have two sets.

Kelvin

[Dexterpix]

Trailer-aid block very handi

Camco Trailer Aid, Black - Walmart.com

Joe D

[ghaag]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

I wonder if Lynx blocks would work. I have two sets.

Kelvin

Kelvin,
There are people on here much more qualified to speak to this issue than myself, but I think they would.
Greg

[ghaag]

Originally Posted by Dexterpix

Trailer-aid block very handi

Camco Trailer Aid, Black - Walmart.com

Joe D

That would have been perfect, Joe! I was in a Walmart in a small town in Alabama and did not see that option.

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by ghaag

I am on my 3rd Airstream and had my first flat. I thought I would pass along what I learned in case it might help someone else. This occurred on a 2014 30' Flying Cloud. First, in case you do not know, (at least my model did not) it does not come with a jack. The manual recommends changing with leveling blocks. I had leveling blocks, but not enough to get my trailer high enough to get the new tire on. I made it to a Walmart and purchased the item below and it was perfect. I would guess you need something to get the good tire approximately 8" off the ground to compensate for the drop in the axle with the flat (see picture below). In all likely hood there is a better way to do this, but this solution worked for me and I hope it helps someone else be prepared in advance.
Safe Travels!
Greg

That is exactly what I have, but I bought mine at Advance Auto because Advance was within walking distance when I had a flat at the house.
It came as a pair. One is in the shed. The other is in the rear storage compartment under the bed. We have camped on a spot so un-level with the front of the trailer so high that I used it as a first step to enter the trailer

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

I wonder if Lynx blocks would work. I have two sets.

Kelvin

2 sets of Lynx Levelers will git-r-dun.
1 set is not quite enough.

[KWN306]

The Camco Trailer Aid comes in two sizes, buy the one for the 16" wheel and it does the job quite nicely.

[richinny]

if you're really in a jam.........
deflating the tire can give a lot more clearance but you'll need a pump to refill the spare.

if you're on soft ground you can dig under the flat tire with a shovel.

[DKB_SATX]

I just carry a bottle jack.

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

I just carry a bottle jack.

Bottle jack is fine IF you know where to place it. One member here had roadside assistance come to his aid.... and the "technician" put the jack on the belly pan and kept pumping away until it splintered through the floor!

[StreamRollin]

Is it true, I've heard that once you get the tire off that you can ride on just one tire at a reduced speed just to get to the next exit to have tire repaired.

Jim

[nrgtrakr]

I've been told a couple of 2x6s (from the odd wood leveling assortment) would be enough.

Bottle jack? No thanks. Only if it has a real base welded to the bottom and a jack stand top. They like to tip over.

Floor jack ... perhaps too big and heavy for most to think about.

[Jammer]

I carry the lynx blocks and a bottle jack.

If most of the weight is on the lynx blocks the bottle jack can be used under the axle with the flat, gently, to pick up an inch or two.

[Bob Riffle]

How about a scissor jack under the axle? My AS is super light. I've heard of people using the plate that bolts to the frame that the axles are bolted to. Has anyone modified frame to accept a jack?

[Losman]

Fortunately I haven't experienced a flat on the AS. However, I did purchase the Anderson Rapid Jack. It raises one tire high enough to get the flat one off the ground (I hope).
Here's the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Andersen-Manuf...ZZPEENCF0J4XWC

[AWCHIEF]

I use Andersen Levelers with a 4 inch rise. That is plenty to remove and install a tire on my Safari.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by Jammer

I carry the lynx blocks and a bottle jack.

If most of the weight is on the lynx blocks the bottle jack can be used under the axle with the flat, gently, to pick up an inch or two.

Originally Posted by Bob Riffle

How about a scissor jack under the axle? My AS is super light. I've heard of people using the plate that bolts to the frame that the axles are bolted to. Has anyone modified frame to accept a jack?

You shouldn't jack on the axles themselves. The axle flange (the piece of heavy angle that has the notch(es) for the axle(s) is good for lifting the trailer, but the axle tube can bend.

The flange doesn't really require any modification to use for jacking, just center the top of your jack on the flange and lift.

[polarlyse]

I have a few 2x6's that I use for leveling. I think I have enough to raise it high enough to get the wheel off. If not I also carry a bottle jack. I use it all the time when servicing the brakes & bearings etc. AND yes you can drive it a short distance with one wheel removed. Hope that's never necessary but then again " You never know".

[m.hony]

Depending on which truck you have, your truck jack may lift the Airstream, especially if you have a 3/4 ton or 1 ton.
My jack in my 1/2 ton won't-
Don't ask me how I know I know-


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