On my last big trip I relied on the "kindness" of others, AAA Roadside Assistance, to change a tire on my Bighorn 3055RL. But, what if I had been out of cell phone range? Oh the pain of changing it myself! Nevertheless I think I should prepare. What kind and size jack will I need?
Putting on the Spare
- Thread starter Two Hands
- Start date
Ray LeTourneau
Senior Member - Past Moderator
I carry a 6 ton bottle jack and several 2 X 10 boards to prevent it from sinking into dirt if necessary. I also have some aluminum stabilizer jacks if the stroke on the bottle jack isn't enough to raise the tire for clearance. Remember to loosen the lugs a bit before lifting and torque them after removing the jack. It's only a rough job if the flat tire is on the road side of the rig.
HappyKayakers
Well-known member
Ray,
Sounds like you've changed a few tires yourself. Did you jack at the frame, axle or shackle?
Sounds like you've changed a few tires yourself. Did you jack at the frame, axle or shackle?
TXBobcat
Fulltime
I have 2 - 6 ton jacks. I use a 2x8 board to go under them to keep them from sinking on soft ground. I place the jack so it is between the U-Bolts for the springs. I have used the second jack to raise another tire so I can rotate the tires. I had two aluminum stands to hold up an axle but they bent even though they were suppose to support 6k lbs. That is why I bought the second 6 ton jack.
Ray LeTourneau
Senior Member - Past Moderator
I've always been able to put the jack right along side the axle on the spring perch. I do this for adjusting the brakes as well. Thankfully, I've only had to change the tire once on the Bighorn. But, there have been others
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jimtoo
Moderator
There are lots of pros and cons about the ramp. You are overloading the good tire by putting the entire weight of the side of the trailer on the one tire. Is this enough to hurt the tire???? Who knows, but it could damage the cords in the good tire enough to cause a problem later. I don't think any of the tire manufactures will recommend the ramp.
Also,, you should never jack on the axle tube itself. If the axle is under the spring, you should jack on the frame, if axle is on top of spring you can jack on spring. If you jack on axle and cause a dent or collapse the spring in any way, you could change the camber of the tire which could cause excessive tire wear, or even cause axle to become loose in u-bolts.
Just my 3 cents worth.
Jim M
Also,, you should never jack on the axle tube itself. If the axle is under the spring, you should jack on the frame, if axle is on top of spring you can jack on spring. If you jack on axle and cause a dent or collapse the spring in any way, you could change the camber of the tire which could cause excessive tire wear, or even cause axle to become loose in u-bolts.
Just my 3 cents worth.
Jim M
Jimtoo is absolutely correct. However if using the ramp I don't think the tire cord is going to be the problem. Say for example you have 6000# axles and they are carrying 5800#'s each, then each side of the axle has 2900#'s which is ok. But if you put all the weight on one side of one axle it is overloaded by 2800#'s. Looks like a bent axle might occure. Lipperts Trailer Axle Opperation and Service Manual states several times "lift unit by the frame and never the axle or suspension".
Peace
Dave
Peace
Dave
Forrest Fetherolf
Senior Member
The ramp does not work as the picture indicates, but does raise RV enough to get jack and lynx block(s) under axle of blown tire.
Forrest
jmgratz
Original Owners Club Member
They are supposed to give you one. I didn't get one either but when I told the dealer about it they supplied one.
jmgratz
Original Owners Club Member
Same thing happened to me. I had a flat and couldn't get the tire down. The wrecker driver that changed the tire had to climb under the RV and loosen the underbelly and then use a wrench on it. The tire tool handle can be obtained from the dealer and should have been supplied with the RV. It the dealer does not have it I am sure Heartland customer service can help you. That is one thing the dealer should be sure is in the RV when it is delivered by the tranporter.
trdeal
Past North Carolina Chapter Leader
Clark, not sure how your Landmark is set up as far as raising and lowering your spare tire,but I use my 4 way lug wrench. There is a door on the outside of the camper labeled spare tire. Inside there is a bolt head,not sure of the size,but one end of the 4 way fits it. Our Landmark did not come with a crank handle for the spare tire but we did get one to raise and lower the electric rear jacks if needed.
ct0218
Well-known member
Hi Terry
I tried my 4 way but it didn't fit. When I needed to get my spare down I crawled under and after a lot of effort managed to disassemble the retention system for the spare. I got with a friend down the mountain this afternoon and we welded together a crank handle that works. I doubt it is as pretty as the factory crank, but it works!
I tried my 4 way but it didn't fit. When I needed to get my spare down I crawled under and after a lot of effort managed to disassemble the retention system for the spare. I got with a friend down the mountain this afternoon and we welded together a crank handle that works. I doubt it is as pretty as the factory crank, but it works!
trdeal
Past North Carolina Chapter Leader
Hey, as long as it works,it doesn't matter what it looks like. Hopefully you never have to look at it anyway. I can imagine you had quite a time getting your tire down without being able to crank it down. How are things up the mountain?We were up your way a few weeks ago. Took the family to Gatlinburg for a little R&R.It was very cold but had a great time.Have a good week.
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