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Changing a flat trailer tire
#10894533
06/04/15 01:38 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,158
jwatts77
OP
TFF Team Angler
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OP
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,158 |
Over the years I have had to change quite a few trailer tires. It may seem like a simple task to most of us but it also seems to be a challenge for others.
I've learned a couple things about how to go about it and maybe y'all have some tricks and techniques you use to "git 'er done"!
I see guys struggling with a bottle jack or scissor jack trying to raise a 20+ foot boat on a tandem axle instead of pulling the good tire up on a wood block, rock, or other solid item to raise the flat tire off the ground. I have even pulled/backed the trailer up to a slopped spot that leaves the flat tire suspended so you don't have to use a jack.
I've seen some folks who can't lift the spare high enough to get it back on the lugs. Try lowering the jack if you're using one so the lugs line up with the wheel holes. If you're on a slope as suggested above just move the trailer up or down the slope to line up the lugs with the holes. Don't put the wheel inside the fender while making this adjustment; duh!
Also, for y'all who have never had a trailer flat on your current trailer; does your lug wrench/socket fit the trailer lugs? Many lug wrenches that come with your tow vehicle don't fit the trailer lugs. Check-it out and get the correct size. Nothing more frustrating than limping down the shoulder because you can't take the lug nuts off!
Just some of my experiences and suggestions. Do y'all have more?
Until Later... God Bless and Good Fishin'!
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Re: Changing a flat trailer tire
[Re: jwatts77]
#10894555
06/04/15 01:47 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 492
Chuck A
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 492 |
Has anyone ever used one of the,well I'm not sure how to describe it, trailer jacks that look like a speed square with an arch as one leg of the triangle ?
Chuck A. Fightin' Texas Aggie '85 GIG'EM AGGIES Skeeter ZX250 Yamaha HPDI 300
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Re: Changing a flat trailer tire
[Re: Chuck A]
#10894565
06/04/15 01:51 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 105
DaveS
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 105 |
Yes. Carry one in my truck. Very easy.
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Re: Changing a flat trailer tire
[Re: jwatts77]
#10894579
06/04/15 01:54 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 50,829
Trickster
Super Freak
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Super Freak
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 50,829 |
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Re: Changing a flat trailer tire
[Re: jwatts77]
#10894585
06/04/15 01:56 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,158
jwatts77
OP
TFF Team Angler
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OP
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,158 |
I have one of the "quick lift" trailer jacks. Academy has them in the trailer accessories isle.
The biggest drawback to using this type of jack is getting it to 'bind up' so it lifts the trailer. Quite often the spot you're trying to use it on causes the quick lift to slide or slip and can be a lot more challenging to get it into a good position. Pulling/backing the trailer up on a solid (4x6) block of wood is a lot easier. The 'quick lift' jacks are also not uniform to all trailer axle types making them even more challenging to get a firm bite in order to lift your trailer.
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Re: Changing a flat trailer tire
[Re: jwatts77]
#10894592
06/04/15 01:58 PM
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,293
Bigron119
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,293 |
For minor repairs in the parking lot when it is just flat and not "blown out", I keep a flat repair kit with the rubber strips/plugs and a small air compressor. Sometimes it is easier to just pull the nail and plug it and then fill it with air.
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Re: Changing a flat trailer tire
[Re: jwatts77]
#10894609
06/04/15 02:03 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,913
RO519
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,913 |
I carry an 18V Dewalt impact in the tool box on my truck all the time. I have the correct size socket, it makes changing to a spare a breeze. Busts the lugs off really quick, pop them back on with it, then put a little extra on the lugs with a breaker bar.
Fightin' Texas Aggie '14
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Re: Changing a flat trailer tire
[Re: jwatts77]
#10894641
06/04/15 02:14 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,900
Bissett
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,900 |
I'm glad you posted this. I'm gonna make sure I have everything I need just in case. Been lucky so far but I'm not known to have the best luck
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Re: Changing a flat trailer tire
[Re: jwatts77]
#10894647
06/04/15 02:16 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 610
criglizard
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 610 |
A fast way to change the tire is pull over or back over a parking space barrier. Loosen the bad tire first. The parking barrier will lift the good tire up, remove the bad tire, put on new tire, slightly tighten nuts, pull off barrier and fully tighten.
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Re: Changing a flat trailer tire
[Re: jwatts77]
#10894658
06/04/15 02:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,122
Cass Caldwell
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,122 |
Another thing to watch out for that I learned the hard way. On my basscat the spare is stored, not on the side of the trailer like some, but under the bow of the boat, behind the trailer tongue. There isn't enough clearance to fit a lug wrench between the wheel and the boat.
I had a blowout coming back from Martin Creek earlier this year and didn't have my socket wrenches with me, so my wife had to bring me the stuff.
Good post. If you pull a boat long enough, it's not a matter of if, but when you'll have a flat. You can never be too prepard. Bass fishing puts us on back roads and early in the morning and sometimes late in the evening which can put is in some potentially bad situations. Be ready!
Thanks again for posting.
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Re: Changing a flat trailer tire
[Re: easttexasbucks]
#10894736
06/04/15 02:47 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,326
rkd
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,326 |
Had a blow out on way to Fork-pulled into parking lot and couldn't loosen the nuts. Didn't have a cheater bar either. Looked around for a piece of PVC and couldn't find one. Finally someone stopped and helped us bust them loose. Came home, soaked the nuts and wheels in Master Blaster, rubbed some anti-seize on all the threads and go out about every other month and do a quick loosen check on each tire (including the spare!). At first I worried they would be too loose with all that stuff on them but they stay tightened very well.
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Re: Changing a flat trailer tire
[Re: jwatts77]
#10894737
06/04/15 02:47 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,765
greenen
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,765 |
I keep a floor jack, 4 way lug wrench,air compressor and plug kit in my truck. Never had to use on the boat trailer but have plugged many truck tires instead of changing to spare to get back out of the woods to get it repaired.
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Re: Changing a flat trailer tire
[Re: jwatts77]
#10894749
06/04/15 02:51 PM
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,582
ChampionDon (SkeeterDon)
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,582 |
I carry a flat 2 ton tow jack, a 4 way wrench.
Check those dust covers, some or held on with a phillips screw while others are an allen wrench. My trailer and two different ones on each side. Also check your spare wheel as well to ensure that it will fit, just because its a 5 lug, does not mean it will fit, check to be sure.
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Re: Changing a flat trailer tire
[Re: jwatts77]
#10894862
06/04/15 03:31 PM
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 954
JoeFriday
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 954 |
Good stuff here. "But honey, they said on TFF that I NEED an 18v Dewalt impact wrench in case I have a flat on my trailer to be prepared." Yea, that's the ticket.
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