New boat owner - Trailer tire flat

[brianmonique]

Can I use jack from truck to change the tire on my illusion trailer? Thnx

[talltigeguy]

Yes. The weight to get just one wheel off the ground of a tandem axle trailer is probably not out of the range of the jack provided in most trucks.

I would still NEVER put myself where if the jack failed that the falling axle would injure me.

[eks]

My Suburban jack did not lift enough to change the tire. You better check, you will need a extra block to lift it enough or buy a new jack.

Also make sure that your wrench fit the nuts on your trailer, my didn't I had to buy a different size.

[brianmonique]

Thanks for the ideas - only had our new 22ve out once and now tire is flat! - need to get it out this weekend again - kids are ready to go so I have to figure it out!!

[hoopykat]

Go to your local auto parts store and buy a cheap floor jack and stow it in an unused compartment on your boat. Use it to lift on the trailer axle that has the flat and you'll be fine. For around $30 it's worth the peace of mind.

-Mike

[dogbert]

I use a 2 ton hydraulic jack. It works pretty well. I wrecked my jack on my F-150 trying to use it on the boat.

[gcalkins]

I carry in the boat a hydraulic jack and a cross wrench........always.

[chpthril]

I keep a small bottle jack and a 13/16th socket/pull bar in the SUV just for the trailer.

[samw]

I use a 2 ton hydraulic jack. It works pretty well. I wrecked my jack on my F-150 trying to use it on the boat.

I am with Dogbert, I also have a two ton hydraulic bottle jack.

At least on my trailer I can use three pieces of wook like a 2x4 or 4x6 about 1.5 feet long stacked on top of each other stagered a bit. I then can pull forward or back up depending what tandem it and it will pick the other tandem up so you can change the tire. I have a presteige trailer.

Keep it safe changing those things on the road. But on idiots out there driving. I would rather trash a rim and tire and get to a safe location so I could change a tire. Just my 2 :02: :ro: :ro: :)

[Waterski-Rebel]

I bought a small jack from wal-mart for "just incase". It was only $20

[billspin]

I carried a set of these with me in the boat. Just in case instead of the different sized pieces of wood to drive up onto.

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm/Outdoor-and-RV-Accessories/RV-Leveling-Blocks--Set-of-10/skunum=24733

[TeamAllen]

I have always wondered about this kind of jack?

[jleger98]

I ran into this situation on a busy road, on a Sunday (most places were closed). I tried the jack from my Durango, and it would not do a thing. Ended up going to Walmart and paying $30 for a 2.5 ton floor jack. Works like a charm.

In my case the rim was already wrecked, so I kept pulling up till I got to a place where I could at least pull off a little farther, and of course it was the road side wheel that blew.....:(

What we did was to unhook the truck, and park it about 100 ft back of the boat. That way if some idiot is going to hit us, they would hit the truck, and not me. Its a serious issue to have a highway-side tire blow on the road. Get off the road if you can. Your rim is probably already shot.

[da.bell]

I have always wondered about this kind of jack?

I would wonder how sturdy that thing would be to hold theboat up. :confused: :confused: :confused:

[Methu969]

I carry a 18" long piece of 4"x8" with a 45 degree cut on one end to back the good tire up on to take off the bad tire.

[Ks]

We had a complete blow out on the way home from the lake yesterday, pretty scary...........We were going about 45 MPH) and......BAM...... it blew apart like a semi truck. The complete side wall was torn out, smoke everything... pulled over right away.

I carry a bottle jack, and as luck would have it, it was a dud, so I had to use my factory jack from the F150. Lifted the boat like a champ:)

I am now thinking of getting one of those small steel tool type boxes welded onto the front of the trailer to hold tools and a good floor jack..

Anyone know what causes this kind of failure? trailer might have 4 hours total drive time on it.

[jleger98]

I would wonder how sturdy that thing would be to hold theboat up. :confused: :confused: :confused:

I can't see how that would work well on the side of the road in the sand/gravel.

[brianmonique]

thanks for all of the great ideas - sounds like I am not alone in my wonder - wandered into a camping/ranching store and got one of these - 40.00 - works great and easy to haul around

http://www.hitchesonline.com/jiffyjack/jiffy.htm

[jleger98]

That looks pretty nice (as long as you have a tandem trailer :) )

[brianmonique]

I have tandem illusion trailer worked great - we're in business again!

[xpjim1]

I carried a set of these with me in the boat. Just in case instead of the different sized pieces of wood to drive up onto.

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm/Outdoor-and-RV-Accessories/RV-Leveling-Blocks--Set-of-10/skunum=24733

I use the same thing. Always keep them in the truck. Much simpler than a jack. Keep a 3 ton Hydralic jack just in case though

[Tanner]

Yep, I too use the three pieces of wood nailed together. Takes 10 secs to drive up on the blocks. Not to mention, takes up less room. In fact had to use them this weekend :(