Posted 2013-08-19 9:31 AM (#154105) Subject: helpful tips when tire fails
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
I recent experienced a tire blow out....after some time to gather my thoughts I figured I share with you some of what I learned1-Tires will fail at some point but only on interstate highways and only in places that are some what isolated.2-screaming on the phone to your husband 3 hours away does not improve your situation.3-neither does panicking4- having a labrador sitting in the front seat looking at you with love and devotion does have a calming effect.5-Knowing the first to be true...don't throw the four way wrench in the rear tack compartment to be buried under buckets,blankets,tool boxes and hoses. Might be handier in a place you can get to it.Just a thought....6-take a look around you and figure out where you are before calling a service truck. They will likely ask you that very question and answering with..well..I don't know..somewhere on 127 south..isn't helpful.Better yet consult your GPS on your smart phone ( you know the one you had to have since it does everything,its cool and boy it could come in handy in a emergency???)7-once you know help is on the way..relax..call your husband..apologize...and understand that, even though this may never happen again, you should be somewhat prepared for the next time....learn to change a tire.
Posted 2013-08-19 1:03 PM (#154112 - in reply to #154105) Subject: RE: helpful tips when tire fails
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
Yes it did- the tire guy was very nice..didn't charge me an outrageous fee...and the other tire guy who sold me a replacement tire also fixed the minor damage on the fender. Horse show was great..all is well...
Posted 2013-08-19 11:04 PM (#154133 - in reply to #154105) Subject: RE: helpful tips when tire fails
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373 Location: Texas
I do like your last suggestion best. ;-) I have a bigger LQ than before, and while my bumper pull was a breeze to change a tire, (usually back on the road in about 20 min) I am going to have to practice with this trailer. Bigger tires, more lug nuts, and I am not sure my current jiffy jack is rated for this size trailer. A jiffy jack is a must. They make it SO much easier! Glad the show went well!
Posted 2013-08-20 7:38 AM (#154137 - in reply to #154105) Subject: RE: helpful tips when tire fails
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434 Location: Brooksville, Fl
We have had more flat tires than you can shake a stick at...so to speak. While I can manage a change (and do have US Rider) I cannot loosen the lug nuts. We bought a cordless impact wrench. That was some of the best money we have spent. Works great! US Rider is great but sitting on the road for an hour waiting on someone is not. I would just as soon get 'r' done than sit on the road. Especially an interstate. I found your account very funny and accurate :) !
Posted 2013-08-20 8:53 AM (#154140 - in reply to #154105) Subject: RE: helpful tips when tire fails
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
Since the flat was on the drivers side..the road side..I really didn't want to even attempt changing it. I didn't have TIME to get hit on the road..I had a SHOW to get to. So I drove slowly to the next exit and met the tire guy at a gas station right off the off ramp. My main concern was ruining the rim..but as it turns out it was fine. After arriving at the showgrounds,I went to a tire shop and had them put a new (used) tire on the rim so I had a spare to get home with. All in all- the adventure cost me 110 bucks. I am not complaining...)
Posted 2013-08-20 9:15 AM (#154141 - in reply to #154105) Subject: RE: helpful tips when tire fails
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Knowing how to manually apply the electric trailer brakes without looking at the controller, can save your life. When one of our truck's front tires blew at speed, the truck and trailer jackknifed and the truck was starting to roll over. By applying only the trailer brakes, they were enough to pull the whole rig straight again, allowing us to enter the median with some control. It took several applications to fully stop.
It's a good idea just to practise reaching for and applying the trailer brake over ride switch. When things are hectic, you don't have time to search for and think about what to do next.
Posted 2013-08-20 9:51 AM (#154144 - in reply to #154105) Subject: RE: helpful tips when tire fails
Regular
Posts: 54 Location: nc
We had a blow out last week. Luckly the trailer was empty, although that is probably why we had the blow out. My husband used a peice of firewood and a board to make a little ramp and raise the back tire off the ground. We had a full socked set the big ones and a leverage bar helped loosen them. At first I was ready to freak out and he had it all changed and back on the road in less than 20 minutes. I can't say I could do it that fast my self but he made it look just too easy.
Posted 2013-08-20 4:42 PM (#154152 - in reply to #154105) Subject: RE: helpful tips when tire fails
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 322 Location: Fort Madison, Iowa
Best tips someone gave me was to carry a small shovel to help lift the tire since they're so heavy. When I had a flat, I don't think I could have done it without the shovel. I sometimes have a problem loosening nuts so I also carry Wd40 and it's helped me before.
Cones or triangles are good to carry. I had a blowout on a road with no shoulders and was lucky there was two lanes on my side of the highway. I had to park the trailer on the highway and then put cones out to direct traffic around my trailer.
helpful tips when tire fails
