RE: Flat tire....now what?

[LKaskel]

 
On a recent trip I thought I was having some trouble with a tire on my PU.  The thought occurred...how will I jack this up while on I-81 if this goes flat (bad time to think of this I know).  I called the dealer to get their advice and the service manager said if it is still hooked up to the van just use the stablizer jack.  Does that sound right?  We never did have a flat (thank the Lord) but I may sometime.  What would you do?
 
 

[mike4947]

 LKaskel
While back in the 70 s and early 80 s this was accepted & in some manufacturers the recommended way to change a tire. I think you find there aren t many manufacturers left that do. There are a lot of old dealers out there that haven t read an owners manual since they started and in a lot of cases aren t the best reference for advise.
 First check your owners manual on recommended tire changing procedure. Second check to make sure you ve got a lug wrench of some kind that fits the PU lugs and also the bolts holding the spare tire on. Frequently they are different. Third, check the air in the spare. Can t remember how many times my 12 volt compressor had to come out and reinflate the spare cause I d forgotten to check under the cover.
 IMHO those little cheapo bottle jacks at Wally World work fine and don t weigh much or take up much space. Another hint is to find one that fits under where you need to jack, with the tire flat, or else carry a little shovel.

[tlhdoc]

 LKaskel
I had to change a tire on my old PU.  I used the jack that came with my van.

[mcmanusfam]

 LKaskel
We picked up our first Pop up two weeks ago. We did the ceremonial " spend the night in the front yard"  outing and planned our " shake down cruise"  to the lake about 45 minutes away.
 
 I joined Pop-Up Times and began assembling a list if things I " needed"  for pop up camping. A friend told me that Walmart was going to be a strong buy the day I went to load up because I was going to buy so much.
 
 We loaded up and pulled out of the driveway. I took the FIRST turn a little too tight and the camper wheel ran over the curb and blew out. I circled the block and pulled the rig over a 1/2 block from our house. I let me five children out with my wife and they walked back to the house. My mind began to race....what was I to do? I looked in the owners manual and read under flat tires "  do not attempt to change the flat yourself" . I called the dealer and the service department said we recommend that you change it yourself. We have a Suburban as a TV and I thought that jack would support it and changed it with that. It worked fine and I discovered my Suburban had wheel chocks and gloves for changing tires!
 
 We went up and had a great night and now I have to find a place that will sell me a trailer tire!

[hbfc6]

 LKaskel
My first flat tire on my old pop up was in Cleveland on a busy highway. My lug nut wrench from the car did not fit the pop up. Had to use cell phone to call a tow truck who had a big hydraulic jack to lift the pop up. Only had a bad spare. I got to an Erie Pa Koa and set up camp. Next day went to a tire store and bought new tire and wrench and changed tire in the campground. Not a real good way to start a vacation.

[GaryWT]

 LKaskel
I always use the jack from what ever TV I am using, has always worked well.  The key is to have the right lug wrench, I always carry a 4 way one with me.