No jack, no problem!

[talltigeguy]

I just thought that I would share one of the best things that I have learned from this site, but haven't seen posted in a while, and it might save one of you a little trouble.

Flat tires seem to be a way of life for me. Maybe it was because I was driving from Lake Powell in the middle of the afternoon with 105 degrees outside, but my flat tire woes are subject of another thread. So I got a flat tire.

I don't keep a jack in the boat, who wants to do that? So here is what I did, sorry I didn't take step by step pics.

1. Loosen up bolts on the flat tire.

2. Find a rock about 3 inches thick, or a couple of boards, whatever you can find.

3. Put the rock next to your good tire (behind the rear tire if your front tire is flat, or vice versa)

4. Hop in the tow vehicle and pull forward until your good tire is on top of the rock.

5. Remove the flat tire and put it next to the good tire, with the outside of the rim facing up. (behind the rear tire if your front tire is flat, or vice versa).

6. Hop in the tow vehicle and drive the good tire on top of the rim of your flat tire.

7. Put your spare on.

Sounds like a lot, but in my case, it is easier than digging into the tow vehicle and using the crappy little bottle jack. If you don't get the good tire a few inches above the ground, then it probably won't roll up over the rim, but push it along the ground (I have tried that).

[Dandy]

WOW - great tip. Does anyone have the information on the "jack" system that is similar to this concept? It's plastic and you drive your good wheel on it to lift the bad wheel. I saw somethign mentioned once and no longer can find it.

[brianmonique]

I have one of these - just throw it in when I hit the road - works great well worth it - also used two 2x6's one time and worked ok but his thing is easy peasy - search

Amazon: Trailer Aid Tandem Tire Changing Ramp
by Trailer Aid

[TeamAllen]

Dandy, you mean like this one? http://www.etrailer.com/Wheel-Chocks...FZTm7AodjiYAvg

Thanks Tall! I don't remember seeing that thread and I would have never thought of doing that. Did you switch to the LT tires or are they trailer tires? 15" wheels?
I can see the spare is a Maxxis. What brand went flat?

[Dandy]

Thanks Brianminouqe and TeamAllen - the one I had been looking at before and couldnt find info on was the one that Brian listed. Below is a link to the factories page. I do like the Anderson unit as it doubles as a jack base.

[talltigeguy]

Dandy, you mean like this one? http://www.etrailer.com/Wheel-Chocks...FZTm7AodjiYAvg

Thanks Tall! I don't remember seeing that thread and I would have never thought of doing that. Did you switch to the LT tires or are they trailer tires? 15" wheels?
I can see the spare is a Maxxis. What brand went flat?

I still have the cursed 14 inch rims (thanks, Extreme). It was a towmaster that failed. I have tire pressure monitor sensors, and despite me and a local trailer company evaluating my trailer, we can't seem to figure out why my right front tire runs 20 degrees hotter than the other tires. I suspected she was about to blow when the temp got up to 156 degrees, my next hottest tire was 132 degrees.

I can't decide if I am going to replace the rims, tires, both or boat and trailer altogether.

[TeamAllen]

Will a Kumho 857 fit on that 14" rim? It might be worth a shot? Maybe just on that one tire?

[ddutcher]

I have used a parking block as a jack in the past as well. That is if you are not on the side of a freeway.

[JLG]

Dandy, you mean like this one? http://www.etrailer.com/Wheel-Chocks...FZTm7AodjiYAvg

Thanks Tall! I don't remember seeing that thread and I would have never thought of doing that. Did you switch to the LT tires or are they trailer tires? 15" wheels?
I can see the spare is a Maxxis. What brand went flat?

Thanks for posting I didn't know those existed but will consider purchasing. I have used the block method before but it can be sketchy. I normally just throw my nice floor jack in pickup when boat season arrives each year and take out at end of year, but this would be easier to store.

[jslayde1]

We seem to have the "blow out" woes as well. The Texas heat, old tires, and 3 hrs to the nearest lake don't really mix....we carry a floor jack with us everywhere we go. My wife and I are like a nascar pit when we blow one - 5 minutes tops. Ha ha.

So are these 14" rims partly to blame - would the 15" rims manage the weight better?

I have also wondered if maybe something was going on with the alignment of the trailer - maybe I should take mine to a trailer shop...

[jmoore15]

All good suggestions if you are in a pinch. This is my safety net that I keep in my tool box. Small, lifts 20 tons, and cost effective. Never leave home without it.

[Z1Fan]

We seem to have the "blow out" woes as well. The Texas heat, old tires, and 3 hrs to the nearest lake don't really mix....we carry a floor jack with us everywhere we go. My wife and I are like a nascar pit when we blow one - 5 minutes tops. Ha ha.

So are these 14" rims partly to blame - would the 15" rims manage the weight better?

I have also wondered if maybe something was going on with the alignment of the trailer - maybe I should take mine to a trailer shop...

Oh yes , have the alignment of the axles in respect to trailer frame checked , we had this issue on one of our covered trailers at the office , and always use tires rated for trailer service , they have a different sidewall vs passenger cars or truck tires .

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[talltigeguy]

We seem to have the "blow out" woes as well. The Texas heat, old tires, and 3 hrs to the nearest lake don't really mix....we carry a floor jack with us everywhere we go. My wife and I are like a nascar pit when we blow one - 5 minutes tops. Ha ha.

So are these 14" rims partly to blame - would the 15" rims manage the weight better?

I have also wondered if maybe something was going on with the alignment of the trailer - maybe I should take mine to a trailer shop...

14 inch rims create a very difficult problem of getting higher load range tires. The only load range D tire is the Kumho 857 that comes in a 14 inch rim size. Lots of D range tires in 15 inch rims. Virtually all of the 24 foot boats these days are right at the max weight recommendation for a load range C tire. So it isn't the rim, but the ability to get better tires.

I think trailer tires are a hoax. Might as well start the discussion here. Virtually none of the guys with fancy rims are running 20 inch trailer tires and hardly ever suffer blowouts. In fact, most of those are low profile sports car tires. I ran around on the RV forums and found that the consensus there is to use truck tires, and those guys carry heavy, heavy loads. I even got a 5 year warranty on those, no trailer tire ever has that, and I think they even ride smoother.

[Timmy!]

I have 20" wheels on my trailer so I won't be using this exact method but a few blocks of wood will get you a similar approach.

I have 275/45/20 on my trailer that are truck tires with a V rating (149 mph) and a load rating of 2,500 lbs. Most trailer tires are rated for 75 or 80 mph which is why they get hot and explode when you drive at highway speed for extended periods of time.

[xpjim1]

This is what I use
http://mobile.walmart.com/ip/1677842...664432&veh=sem

Just stack 3 on the bottom, then 2 and 1 on the top. Just drive on and Change tire. Very simple