Does anyone have any ideas about a jack / ramp to change a flat tire on a trailer? We have a 4H with LQ, approx. 14k. I have seen some little plastic ones, steel, and aluminum, but I want to make sure what I get will hold the weight of a fully loaded trailer, and be fairly stable once you get up on it.
Posted 2007-07-04 12:56 PM (#63279 - in reply to #63278) Subject: RE: Trailer tire jack / ramp
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
If you look at the pics in my album on this site, you'll see a fully loaded trailer on a (Brand name) "Trailer-aid" it's made of plastic. I had the trailer tire changed and we were back on the road in 20 minutes. I would not try that with a jack without unloading the horses. The moving horses would have made the whole tire operation too risky.
Posted 2007-07-04 3:00 PM (#63282 - in reply to #63278) Subject: RE: Trailer tire jack / ramp
Veteran
Posts: 294 Location: Fort Worth, Tx
Trailer Aids-they are a LIFE SAVER. They hold a lot of weight but I am not sure how much, I do know that we used on an a loaded four horse slant once and it was fine. It is very stable and very use to use. They cost about $50 and I would not trailer without one. I think you can buy them at TSC and I know that most horse catalogs sell them.
Posted 2007-07-04 5:23 PM (#63288 - in reply to #63278) Subject: RE: Trailer tire jack / ramp
Veteran
Posts: 116 Location: desert hills, az
I had trouble with a plastic ramp on soft dirt...switched to an aluminum ramp and have had no problems since. Another life saver is a 1/2" breaker bar, a 6"extension, and the correct size deep well socket for your trailer wheel lug nuts. Sure gives extra leverage on those tight lugnuts. I would agree to avoid a jack due to horse movement in the trailer.
Posted 2007-07-05 11:45 AM (#63346 - in reply to #63278) Subject: RE: Trailer tire jack / ramp
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 455 Location: Texas
Has anybody else ever thought of the possible overloading of the axle that has the ramp under it? That is the main thing that scares me about those types of devices versus just using a jack under the axle or frame of the trailer.
Posted 2007-07-05 4:07 PM (#63359 - in reply to #63346) Subject: RE: Trailer tire jack / ramp
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by jdzaharia on 2007-07-05 10:45 AM
Has anybody else ever thought of the possible overloading of the axle that has the ramp under it? That is the main thing that scares me about those types of devices versus just using a jack under the axle or frame of the trailer.
The overloading of the torsion axles is why Dexter doesn't recommend their Torflex be used as triples. They have designed the axle to support double its rated load.
Now... the tire is a different subject. At least one tire manufacturer recommends replacement of the other tire on the same side as a blow-out because the tire experienced the overload.
Posted 2007-07-06 8:46 PM (#63409 - in reply to #63278) Subject: RE: Trailer tire jack / ramp
Member
Posts: 44 Location: Odessa, MO
You won't overload the axle by using a trailer-aid.. Axles are rated for so many lbs.. Take a 3500lb axle for ex, it will hold a lot more than 3500lbs.. But for safety reasons they rate them at a smaller number than what they will really hold.. By using a trailer-aid and getting your tire changed in a matter of minutes you won't hurt your axle at all.. No worries, buy you a trailer-aid and when you have a flat and you have to use it you will be thanking yourself..
Posted 2007-07-06 10:06 PM (#63413 - in reply to #63278) Subject: RE: Trailer tire jack / ramp
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
For years we have used something similiar made of a 6 x 6 cut with one end blunt and one end beveled. Have one in every trailer and one in the toolbox on the 1-ton flatbed. Work well.
Posted 2007-07-07 4:21 AM (#63416 - in reply to #63278) Subject: RE: Trailer tire jack / ramp
Veteran
Posts: 148 Location: columbia tn
we use the 6x6 boards also im sure a little heavier but cost is 0... everyone has or knows someone with a couple extra pieces of boards around... as far as weight of the boards nailed together you dont have to use the thing very often... good luck...
Posted 2007-07-07 1:42 PM (#63428 - in reply to #63278) Subject: RE: Trailer tire jack / ramp
Veteran
Posts: 164 Location: Delaware
My husband made a "1.2.3 jack" for my trailer. I saw an old horseman with one years ago. He made two others for friends that have seen mine. We used scrap pressure treated 2X10. Cut them 3', 2', 1'. Wood screw stacked flush on one end. We have used it to change tires quickly (just pull or back onto it) and for leveling at the campsite. My friend had those plastic stacker things and they kept sinking in the ground when she was trying to level. My other friend had a bottle jack to try to change a tire on a BP. While she was trying to figure where to place it I pulled out my 123 and all she did was pull up and we had a nice sturdy trailer to work on. I was afraid the bottle jack would slip if the horse moved. It fits in the saddle compartment or bed of truck and is cheap.
Trailer tire jack / ramp
