Posted 2010-10-31 11:17 AM (#126477) Subject: Thanks for the advice to carry a shovel
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 322 Location: Fort Madison, Iowa
I had a blow out on my trailer on vacation this month and was thankful for the advice to carry a shovel to help lift a tire back on. I really don't think I would have had enough muscle to put one back on myself without the help of the shovel. Thank you, thank you.
Everyone should also be sure the carry a trailer-aid to drive up on instead of using a jack which worked great. Also carry safety cones or triangles. Unfortunately I didn't have any shoulder to pull off on to change a tire and anyone driving on some of the Missouri back roads will understand that one.
Posted 2010-10-31 6:26 PM (#126484 - in reply to #126477) Subject: RE: Thanks for the advice to carry a shovel
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373 Location: Texas
I have a small shovel, and a pry bar in my trailer. Have not used the shovel for tire changing (so want to hear more) but have used the pry bar for all kinds of things over the years, including to place through the wheel when I had a blow out that left no tire on wheel. It was spinning as I tried to loosen the lug nuts, and I was able to brace it with pry bar and hold it still as I got lug nuts off wheel. (no one else with me to step on brake to hold it steady)
Posted 2010-10-31 7:42 PM (#126488 - in reply to #126484) Subject: RE: Thanks for the advice to carry a shovel
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by trot-on on 2010-10-31 7:26 PM
I have a small shovel, and a pry bar in my trailer. Have not used the shovel for tire changing (so want to hear more) but have used the pry bar for all kinds of things over the years, including to place through the wheel when I had a blow out that left no tire on wheel. It was spinning as I tried to loosen the lug nuts, and I was able to brace it with pry bar and hold it still as I got lug nuts off wheel. (no one else with me to step on brake to hold it steady)
I assume you "cracked" the lug nuts of the flat tire...before you rolled it onto the Trailer-Aid
Posted 2010-10-31 7:54 PM (#126490 - in reply to #126488) Subject: RE: Thanks for the advice to carry a shovel
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373 Location: Texas
Originally written by PaulChristenson on 2010-10-31 7:42 PM
Originally written by trot-on on 2010-10-31 7:26 PM
I have a small shovel, and a pry bar in my trailer. Have not used the shovel for tire changing (so want to hear more) but have used the pry bar for all kinds of things over the years, including to place through the wheel when I had a blow out that left no tire on wheel. It was spinning as I tried to loosen the lug nuts, and I was able to brace it with pry bar and hold it still as I got lug nuts off wheel. (no one else with me to step on brake to hold it steady)
I assume you "cracked" the lug nuts of the flat tire...before you rolled it onto the Trailer-Aid
When you have a tire blow that leaves pretty much nothing on the wheel but shreds, it does not matter if you run it up on the tire aid or not to crack the lugs. It is not sitting on the ground any more, and will still spin
Posted 2010-10-31 9:02 PM (#126493 - in reply to #126477) Subject: RE: Thanks for the advice to carry a shovel
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 322 Location: Fort Madison, Iowa
Yes, I did use the shovel as a lever. I put the shovel under the tire and used my foot to bring the tire up or down and I used my hands to line up the holes which was the hardest for me.
Yes, I did crack the lugs before backing the trailer up on the trailer aid.
A bar is a good idea to carry and I also carry a pvc pipe for more leverage if I needed it. I had a tire I couldn't get off once and it had to be beat off with a sledge hammer so I carry a small one of those in my truck too.
Posted 2010-10-31 9:45 PM (#126495 - in reply to #126490) Subject: RE: Thanks for the advice to carry a shovel
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by trot-on on 2010-10-31 8:54 PM
Originally written by PaulChristenson on 2010-10-31 7:42 PM
Originally written by trot-on on 2010-10-31 7:26 PM
I have a small shovel, and a pry bar in my trailer. Have not used the shovel for tire changing (so want to hear more) but have used the pry bar for all kinds of things over the years, including to place through the wheel when I had a blow out that left no tire on wheel. It was spinning as I tried to loosen the lug nuts, and I was able to brace it with pry bar and hold it still as I got lug nuts off wheel. (no one else with me to step on brake to hold it steady)
I assume you "cracked" the lug nuts of the flat tire...before you rolled it onto the Trailer-Aid
When you have a tire blow that leaves pretty much nothing on the wheel but shreds, it does not matter if you run it up on the tire aid or not to crack the lugs. It is not sitting on the ground any more, and will still spin12
If your tire has shreded...then unplug your trailer and pull the break-away pin and that should engage your trailer's brakes and then you can "crack" your lug nuts then you can re-insert your break-away pin
Thanks for the advice to carry a shovel
