SusieQ
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'62 Shasta Compact
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Post by SusieQ on Jun 1, 2014 18:32:21 GMT -8
Just thought I'd ask for your input.
What is the proper way to jack up a trailer to remove a wheel, such as changing a flat?
What is the proper way to remove both wheels and stabilize the trailer?
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Jun 1, 2014 19:55:02 GMT -8
Leave the trailer "attached to a vehicle" for stability.
Break the lug nuts loose, before you raise the trailer.
Using a floor type jack, place it under the axle and raise the trailer up until the tire "to be removed" is off the ground.
Place a Jack Stand under "the trailer frame" and lower the jack. The jack stand/frame height should remain at a height that will allow the tire to be removed to still clear the ground. The axle needs to drop in order for the tire to clear the fender well lip.
Some of these trailers are built "with crappy fender clearance standards" and sometimes you need to raise or lower the opposite side for clearance.
You really need to use two jack stands for safety support when using a floor jack. A few short 2 by 4's are also important to carry in case you are jacking on a uneven dirt, or soft surface.
Or call AAA!
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Post by bigbill on Jun 2, 2014 5:44:19 GMT -8
To add to the excellent advice John gave, if you find yourself along the highway with a flat make certain you are off the traveled part of the highway if the tire blew out at speed it is already most likely ruined so pulling it a few more feet won't hurt it. next make sure that the surface that you are placing the jack on is stable enough to support the weight of the trailer. Then select a spot for the jack that is as level as possible, I like to carry a piece of 2x8 a foot or so long to put under the jack to spread to weight over a larger surface. I also have two jacks, the scissors jack out of my truck which is very low and will fit in a low clearance situation and a hydraulic bottle jack. This combination gives me a much greater chance of safely raising the trailer. No matter what you have equipment wise, changing a flat along a busy roadway is a very dangerous situation so stand back and take a look at the conditions of everything around you before selecting your final plan of action.
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Post by schweetcruisers on Jun 2, 2014 6:06:05 GMT -8
Also jack stands and trailer stabilizers are NOT the same thing, please don't use stabilizers in place of a proper jack stand.
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chametzoo
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Post by chametzoo on Jun 2, 2014 6:25:36 GMT -8
These questions and answers are worth their weight in gold… (actually, they probably don't weigh much, but you know what I mean)! BASIC TRAILER SAFETY and PROCEDURE. Louis Pasteur said, "chance favors the prepared mind". Thanks all.
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chametzoo
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1960 Mobile Scout
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Post by chametzoo on Jun 2, 2014 6:31:31 GMT -8
You can only HOPE they'd know how to do it right! Which begs the question: what does one do with the trailer if say, your tow vehicle poops out on the interstate in the middle of nowhere and will be out of commission for a day or more (waiting for parts, etc.)? Will/can AAA put your trailer on a flatbed and take it away too? Anyone have any experience with that? |
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Post by schweetcruisers on Jun 2, 2014 6:55:41 GMT -8
You can only HOPE they'd know how to do it right! Which begs the question: what does one do with the trailer if say, your tow vehicle poops out on the interstate in the middle of nowhere and will be out of commission for a day or more (waiting for parts, etc.)? Will/can AAA put your trailer on a flatbed and take it away too? Anyone have any experience with that? Why yes I do! Although it wasn't AAA, it was the roadside Assist from my insurance carrier USAA. schweetcruisers.blogspot.com/2013/07/our-maiden-voyage.htmlthere are mileage limits on how far they'll tow for free so you may be on the hook for the difference. |
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Post by bigbill on Jun 2, 2014 7:32:03 GMT -8
AAA offers different plans make sure you know what your covers the base plan doesn't cover much the top of the line plan covers a lot.
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chametzoo
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Post by chametzoo on Jun 2, 2014 7:58:16 GMT -8
You can only HOPE they'd know how to do it right! Which begs the question: what does one do with the trailer if say, your tow vehicle poops out on the interstate in the middle of nowhere and will be out of commission for a day or more (waiting for parts, etc.)? Will/can AAA put your trailer on a flatbed and take it away too? Anyone have any experience with that? Why yes I do! Although it wasn't AAA, it was the roadside Assist from my insurance carrier USAA. schweetcruisers.blogspot.com/2013/07/our-maiden-voyage.htmlthere are mileage limits on how far they'll tow for free so you may be on the hook for the difference. Just read your sad tale, sweetcruiser. Ouch! Bringing my Mobile Scout home in April, I drove through several Rocky Mountain high passes, not to mention about 150 miles of sand and wind storms in northeast NM! Since I moved out west to Santa Fe from the east coast, I upgraded my AAA to the premium membership. I'll check with them regarding multiple towing situations. I know they will send flatbeds if you request. Back east, I was never more than a few miles from services, but out here it's another story! Thanks for sharing. |
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chametzoo
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Post by chametzoo on Jun 2, 2014 8:01:38 GMT -8
AAA offers different plans make sure you know what your covers the base plan doesn't cover much the top of the line plan covers a lot. Thanks… see post above. I've got the premium AAA membership and I know at least the towing limits are in the hundreds of miles; just have to see how they feel about sending 2 wreckers out! |
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Jun 2, 2014 8:52:58 GMT -8
You want to make sure you have their "RV coverage" package. Tell them what you have, and where your at, they are pretty good at sending adequate equipment. Most likely they will put your tow vehicle on a roll back truck, and attach your trailer to the receiver on the roll back.
We ran into this problem often with flat tires on large sized motorcycles, and AAA always did a good job.
Bill made an important point about the possible need for two jacks. When the "trailer tire is flat", you will not have much room to get a large jack under the axle or frame. A small scissors jack would be great to get you started raising the trailer. Check the jack inside your tow vehicle to see what you have currently.
I would guess the single MOST IMPORTANT thing to do, is have a trial run in your driveway, actually changing your tire "with what you carry in your truck and trailer", and see how it goes.
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pathfinder3081
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1971 Shasta Loflyte
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Post by pathfinder3081 on Jun 2, 2014 10:22:50 GMT -8
Szq, My input is resticted only to our Loflyte.. The tires come off often at my place to get her in the Garage. While I have the convenince of a floor jack in the driveway, I do not travel with it. I have a scissor jack and the truck has a Bottle style jack (that is really a joke) that works like a worm screw jack. The spot where the angle iron crosses the channel iron is where I put a piece of 4X or 2X and raise her up. I keep stuff like in truck while traveling as well. In front of the wheel is where I have my dollys and it’s a "pivot" point in the weight. It could see-saw if I put it there. Approaching it from the rear this work better with mine. Good need to know topic Szq.. Everyones appraoch brings intell. I am in search of a wheel and spare now. I have been traveling with fix a flat and a pluggers kit... that is a big no no in my rule book..  I also have roadside assitance and towing through my insurance company.. However sitting on the roadside in Backwater USA is a little more than I want to put my crew through during a vacation. But we have it..  |
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 575
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Post by John Palmer on Jun 2, 2014 18:32:59 GMT -8
One more thought.
If any one has "copper colored" lug nuts, or in some cases the end of the studs will have an "L" stamped on them, be aware they are "Left Hand Thread" and the lugs nuts will come off in the opposite direction. This was common on some vehicles built during the 1950's and would be found only on the left side hub. For some reason, they also usually have the smaller 3/4" wrench size that may help you identify the left hand threads.
If you cannot get your lug nuts off, stop and look closely.........if it's a old trailer they may be "Left Hand Thread".
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