Jack for Tire Change

[thedusty]

I have a 21BHS and was thinking about the process for changing a flat should it happen on a trip.  

1. Do you guys carry a special jack or would you rely on the one in your vehicle?  (I currently have a '02 Toyota Sequoia.)

2. Are there concerns for the frame bending/warping when lifting using a jack?  Is there a 'best practice' for the tire change?

I'd be curious to hear any tips from others based on real life experience.  Especially those with the larger Camplites.  I'm trying to be prepared before it happens and this is my first travel trailer!  Thank you...

[david]

Well, I have real life experience using the tongue jack to raise the wheels to change a tire on a steel frame popup. And I have jacked up my Camplite 16TBS enough with the tongue jack to lift at least one of the wheels off of the ground.

For dual axle trailers like mine, I think I would back the trailer (assuming that both tires on one side weren't flat) over a 2x6" or similar to lift the good wheel. Then tighten up the aft scissor jack and lift the other wheel off of the ground with the tongue jack. That will at least support part of the load on the good wheel.

I doubt if even that precaution is necessary for the aluminum frame. We tend to baby the aluminum frame, which is mostly unnecessary. But if you use a car jack like a scissor jack, put a 2x4" between it and the aluminum frame to spread out the point load.

David

[thedusty]

[quote timestamp="1458587429" source="/post/19756/thread" author="@swilky"]Something like this



OR this.
[a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jE_x_TjlOI"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jE_x_TjlOI[/a]

[/quote]This is fascinating.  Found it on Amazon. [a href="http://www.amazon.com/Trailer-Aid-Plus-Tandem-Changing/dp/B001V8UKBO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458588904&sr=8-1&keywords=trailer+aid"]Link.[/a]  Anyone have any competing opinions on these?

[daplumbr]

The bottle jack in the Sequoia will hold the weight, but I would not use it due to the risk of slipping off the frame. The tire jacks like in your illustrations/links are the way to go. I just use the Andersen model as a jack because I already have those on board to level the camper left-right on a campsite. 

Oh, and you probably already know that if you use a regular jack, never put it under the axle. The Dexter axles are hollow and they will bend. 

[mitch]

You should rig a line to the nearest tall tree and hoist it by it's own petard.

[montedtrotter1]

Get the Andersen Rapid Jack, you can use for other things as well; Quickly level your trailer, use it to raise one side when dumping your black tank, use it to put the trailer tongue wheel into when parking your rig.

[thedusty]

[quote source="/post/19766/thread" author="@montedtrotter1" timestamp="1458599966"]Get the Andersen Rapid Jack, you can use for other things as well; Quickly level your trailer, use it to raise one side when dumping your black tank, use it to put the trailer tongue wheel into when parking your rig. [/quote]Will do. Do you have two for leveling or just one. Haven't had to level the trailer yet. 

[pinstriper]

I have a stack of plastic blocks for leveling, that would also be what I use for a flat (yay dual axles ! Take THAT 2016 Models !)

[zasseg]

Every thing you need in 1 bag
https://www.andersenhitches.com/Products/3600--ultimate-trailer-gear-duffel-bag.aspx

[gbpack]

Do you have two for leveling or just one. Haven't had to level the trailer yet. 

They are in sold in packs of two (for around $40 I believe), so for leveling the trailer from side to side you put one under each wheel (on the same side). Then for changing a tire as mentioned earlier, you only use one (don't put one under the tire that you are changing). We have a set of them and they work very well and are easy to use.

[thedusty]

I just bought these Andersen levelers and the instructions note that cutting them might be necessary. Has anyone else with a 21BHS had to cut theirs?  If so, any suggestions?

[daplumbr]

I cut mine with a regular handsaw so it would fit between the tires. I made the cut at an angle to make a smooth ramp for backing onto it. Looks like you'll need to do the same. 

[fasteddieb]

The Anderson Levelers definitely need to be trimmed to fit a 21 BHS.

We made a video of the first time we tried ours:

[a href="https://youtu.be/AG7-aM3DfPQ"]

[/a]
[video src="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG7-aM3DfPQ"][/video]

Shows about how much they need to be trimmed.

I think they are just about the greatest thing since sliced bread!

[thedusty]

Can you get away with trimming one or do they both need to be done?

[gbpack]

Probably just need to trim one (the one that goes in between the two wheels). But that's just a guess.