Changing a Flat Tire

[linda16]

I was reading the post about basic tools.  They said you should have a torque wrench, sockets and extension.  Also a jack.  My Fleetwood book says not to change the tire yourself, but call for help - I guess like AAA?  Is this really true? Seems like a problem if you are not in town.  

What kind of jack is the best to use?
Thanks, Linda

[tlhdoc]

I was reading the post about basic tools. They said you should have a torque wrench, sockets and extension. Also a jack. My Fleetwood book says not to change the tire yourself, but call for help - I guess like AAA? Is this really true? Seems like a problem if you are not in town.
 
What kind of jack is the best to use?
Thanks, Linda

If you are not in an area the has AAA RV coverage they will not changer your tire unless you pay for it.  I don't see why they are telling you not to change a tire.  I install/rotate/change my own tires on the camper.  I would contact Fleetwood and ask then why you are not supposed to change your own tire.

[AustinBoston]

If you are not in an area the has AAA RV coverage they will not changer your tire unless you pay for it.  I don't see why they are telling you not to change a tire.  I install/rotate/change my own tires on the camper.  I would contact Fleetwood and ask then why you are not supposed to change your own tire.

Probably because of Lawyers.

Austin

[mike4947]

JMHO, but mainly because they don't supply the equipment to change one like you get with most automobiles.

As for jacks either a small "bottle" hydrualic jack or a one of the folddown sissor crank jacks works well.
BUT you really should try and change a tire in the driveway.
There are many things that can go wrong and better to find them out and fix them before it's an emergency.
 
Like the jack not fitting.
 
Or finding a good place to put the jack on the trailer to jack up the tailer. This doesn't sound like a problem and really isn't in the driveway during the day. But try it when it's dark out, the ground is muddy, and it's pouring rain.
 
The jack fits and you get off the flat, but the inflated spare won't go on because the jack won't go any higher.
 
Not having the correct lug wrench, or finding out the nuts holding the spare tire on are different than the one holding the wheels on the axles.
 
Finding the spare flat, because you forgot to look under that pretty tire cover and check it's pressure.
 
With small trailer tires finding out your nice 4 way lug wrench hits the dirt when you turn it and won't turn far enough to get it on the next position.

[linda16]

Thanks, everyone.  Seemed ridiculous to me that we couldn't change it ourselves.  Mike, I appreciate your pointing out all the things that can go wrong.  I'm wondering, based on your signature --  Did all these things happen to you?
Happy Camping, Linda

[wynot]

If you are not in an area the has AAA RV coverage they will not changer your tire unless you pay for it. I don't see why they are telling you not to change a tire. I install/rotate/change my own tires on the camper. I would contact Fleetwood and ask then why you are not supposed to change your own tire.

My guess is the same as Austin's.  Since a popup with one wheel up in the air is very unstable, they probably don't want to have someone who finds out their spare is flat (too), to unhitch, drive and get the spare inflated, then come back and lift the camper and have it shift onto them, when it falls.  Or watch it roll down the hill into their car, across traffic, etc.
 
Easier to tell someone to have a service do it.

[edwardr132]

Quick Warning about changing tires on a pop-up from the school of hard knocks....


Don't Don't use the levelors on board as jacks to change a tire on the Pop-up.  You must use a jack from the TV.  They cannot support the weight of the Pop-Up without the tires on board.

I decided in my infinite wisdom and the unfortunately advice of a co-worker who has owned a popup many years that I should just raise the levelors and then change out the tires.  I did that and one of them "failed" after the new tires were on.  I mentioned that to the dealer and he said that hey were never meant to support the weight of the Popup without the tires.  It cost me 4 hours to reinstall a leveler (getting to the RV store and back and installing it and finding it really, really difficult to reinstall due to such a tight space to get at the nuts under the popup.

[AustinBoston]

I just thought of another reason.

It may be part of a deal between Fleetwood and their dealers to get more service calls.  Kind of far-fetched idea, but just might be possible.

Austin (got to quit listening to that conspiracy theory station)