This is how I change flats

[Ozz]

I have two boards with metal pins that interlock and dig into the ground, use the bottle jack under the u-bolt to raise trailer, just 4 pumps and it's raised, works pretty good.
I bought an impact wrench from Sears, works extremely well, I check the lug tightness with my torque wrench, it is right on usually.
I kick in my 3,000 watt inverter on the road to use it.
Flat fix
http://tiny.cc/Flat1
http://tiny.cc/Flat2
http://tiny.cc/Flat3
http://tiny.cc/Flat4

[noneck]

Ozz, that jack picture looks pretty scary to me? I tend to use a floor jack that has a saddle and of course set a jack stand to guarantee things stay up.

[Ozz]

The bottle jack has a knurled top, it bites into the u-clamp, I have plans to weld me a saddle also, to encompass the u-clamp when I get back to my shop. It would not fall much in worst case anyway, the other tire would support the trailer.

[LonnieB]

Right on Ozz,
That's the way I do it too, jack placement is perfect. Although it looks unsafe, it would take a tremendouse amount of force to knock the trailer off the jack, afterall there are still 3 tires on the ground. SAFETY being the issue though, noneck is right about the jack stands, as jacks can fail, the trailer can roll, or any number of other things can happen.

[stiles watson]

Yep, I like your method and use it when I am out of Verizon's range. If not, I call Coach-Net and supervise.

[OntMont]

O.K. dumb question time, what is the purpose of the boards? I seem to missing something here. Also what size jack? It looks like my 4 ton that seems to have work pretty hard to lift the Monty, I bought a 12 ton, but have not had to use it yet.

Actually I favour Stiles method, call Coach-net. That is what I am paying them for!

[Ozz]

I like the boards for stability on any surface, had them left over from our travel trailer for leveling the trailer. It would sink in soft ground, I never know where the flat will happen, so I carry the boards.
My small jack is super, lifts with ease, I will have to look at the tonnage.
The u-bolts are soft steel, the knurled, hardened top of the jack sinks into it, I had the other side chocked and use Roto-Chocks as well. It is very stable, I have had semi's whiz by at 70 and rock the trailer, it does not go anywhere.
With the Impact tool, it takes me longer to lower the spare than pull the wheel, I can be changed, and on the road in under 10 minutes. Don't like to wait for road service.

[DarMar]

Good method & I use this as well!

John: Last year I used a 6 ton jack and as you said it did take a bit if work to lift. I bought a 12 ton this spring and I couldn't believe how much easier the jacking effort is!!!

Ozz: Yes, Let us know the tonnage of your jack, it seems I need twice as many pumps to lift.

[mgdg]

Same way here too, I bought a 12 ton jack with the knurl and saddle. It fits perfectly and works great. I changed all 4 tires like that (one at a time) in the Canadian Tire parking lot. The kid doing the tire changes said his boss won`t let them do a 5ver without proper safety equip. So I did it one at a time and they gave me free nitrogen in the tires.

[eeoski]

Mark,

Educate me please, why nitrogen in the tires? Does it have something to do with cold weather, altitude, aliens, late April Fool's joke for unsuspecting people......?

Robin

[LonnieB]

IMHO, nitrogen in passenger, light truck, or trailer tires, is a waste of your money. More and more places are offering it as an option to regular old air though, and people are buying it.

On Edit - I apologize eeoski, I didn't answer your question. It is supposed to remain in the tire longer than air, not expand or contract with temp as much as air, and is supposed to run cooler. If your driving a race car at 200 mph, there might be some benefit to it, but not in a trailer. Again, this is just my opinion.

[Ozz]

The latest widget...

[ggranch]

For all of you Ford drivers, check out the bottle jack that comes with your truck. Mine is a two stage bottle jack that would pick op the entire trailer if positioned right. Bob

[Ozz]

If I can find it, I will check it out. Thanks.

[eeoski]

Lonnie,

Thanks for the feedback. I don't THINK we'll be going 200 mph when towing, especially with fuel prices what they are, but going downhill, we might get to 60 mph or something! LOL

Robin

[Leaseit]

Sue, On Ozz's birthday list of tools he wants, put two 6 ton jack stands from Harbor Freight please. Gotta keep some one with that much eleqance and mods safe.
Randy

[Jim Jarvis]

Ozz, that truck jack is behind the passenger seat, under the rear flip down seat.

[Ozz]

Randy, I think you are my new best friend! Jim, I will locate it, I am a charter member of the men's club; I never read the instructions on anything, so I didn't know where it was kept.
Oh, and I bet I will not be able to put it back properly, like refolding the map...