Preparing for a flat when (not if) it happens

[Lloyd]

Sounds to me like you guys are trying to "over think" the subject.
Flat tires are nothing new, nor should they be all that complicated.

[OhioMark]

Originally Posted by Lloyd

Sounds to me like you guys are trying to "over think" the subject.
Flat tires are nothing new, nor should they be all that complicated.

Lloyd,

No one's overthinking it here, just out of sight out of mind until you get that flat. Always good to have something on hand other than the truck scissor jack. After two separate experiences with blowouts (see threads on cheap Chinese tires) SMW57 got me thinking..which is always dangerous..usually ends up with my buying something.

Kudos to Steve for starting the thread! That's whats awesome about the forum. You guys have posted threads in the past on stuff I don't think about day to day (wheel bearings, toilet treatments, fiberglass caps, etc)

Steve, I will blame you though when my bride asks me why I'm buying a new jack and replacing the the four new Lionshead tires on my new trailer (see Maxxis thread)!

[Burgy]

Originally Posted by OhioMark

Update,

I just measured my trailer axle height. It is exactly 11" and the manufacturer nor the retailers have the exact lowered height. More to come.

Concern is this jack starts too high to fit under the axle..

Good point. Would never have thought of that till I was on the side of the road trying to change the tire.

[OhioMark]

Originally Posted by Burgy

Good point. Would never have thought of that till I was on the side of the road trying to change the tire.

so the 3 ton is in fact 11" lowered. Tires fully inflated my axle is just under 11" on a cement pad. Too close for comfort. I suspect all other sunset trails with this axle and tire config is the same.

Looks like I can't do the 3 ton..

so...


I am going to beat the dead horse and put the question out there again, can I get away with a 2 ton jack on a trailer that is #7400 dry??? I found the 2 ton and it has 8 and 3/4 " clearance

[Burgy]

NorthernTool as a 2 Ton 6inch min. for $34.99.
HarborFreight has a 4 ton 8 inch min. for $19.99.

[Lloyd]

Mark, I have a 20 ton bottle jack, a trailer aid, and three sets of links leveler blocks. I figure that's all I need.
If needed, I drive the good tire up on the trailer aid. If it's not high enough to get the flat off, I put the jack under the axle with the flat tire and finish raising.
If more is needed I have the lynx levelers to pull which ever tire up on to.
No more truck load of boards here. Plus, I have jack enough to raise it with no strain. I hate those little jacks. You have to put so much force on the handle you think you are going to blow the seals out of the darn thing.

[Alchemistic]

Originally Posted by harley

Remember that is 11" with air in the tire,will be less when it is flat. Simply put some blocks under the tires (even the flat)on the flat side to raise over 11"

So very true!! Think of jack clearance needed when(if) Rim would be on the ground.
On a previous 5th wheel (mid 90s) w/ cheap cheap axles (& maybe overloading) causing lots of tire problems leaned to use all "leveling 2X10s" under both wheels on side w/ flat. Before loosening lugs & "jacking" damaged tire up . . .

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by OhioMark

so the 3 ton is in fact 11" lowered. Tires fully inflated my axle is just under 11" on a cement pad. Too close for comfort. I suspect all other sunset trails with this axle and tire config is the same.

Looks like I can't do the 3 ton..

so...


I am going to beat the dead horse and put the question out there again, can I get away with a 2 ton jack on a trailer that is #7400 dry??? I found the 2 ton and it has 8 and 3/4 " clearance

Your trailer is 7400 dry minus 10% tongue weight (20-25% pin weight on a 5er) on your truck divide the difference by 4 should be close to what you have at each wheel. If you jack it at the axle close to the wheel you could probably use your truck jack if in a pinch.

[mark5w]

Mark, I'll check the clearance and get back to you. They do sell a 2 ton combo with a minimum 8 5/8" clearance. Alltrade Tools 2 Ton Unijack Hydraulic Jack Stand 620470 by Alltrade for $39.99 in Jacks - Jacks - Straps - Winches - Equipment - Hardware : Rural King

Might not have enough grunt.

[OhioMark]

This is why I love this forum. Thanks for pointing out!

[OhioMark]

Thanks Mark. I did see the 2 ton version.

[woodwalker]

If your trailer weighs 7400lbs without even taking in to account the weight transfered to the truck divide it by 4 and you will come up with 1850lbs on each Tire. 1 ton equals 2000lbs. A 2 ton jack would be more than enough to put under the axle at the spring pack to lift it off the ground

[mark5w]

Just check the clearance. From the ground to axle is 11.25" and from the ground to the frame is 21.5". When if measure from ground to axle when tire is on a 2 by, i get 12.75" to axle and 23" to frame.

[Lloyd]

I would love to sit back and watch you guys raise that rig (one wheel at a time) with a 2 ton jack. They might call them 2 ton, but it leaves a lot to be desired. Plus it probably wouldn't do it very often before the seals in the jack went to h**l. Ever notice when you are raising something that is pretty heavy, you need the extension for your jack handle? I wonder why?

[mark5w]

It's called physics.

[OhioMark]

Originally Posted by mark5w

It's called physics.

Lever_Principle_3D.png

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

[woodwalker]

If a 2 ton jack cannot lift a 1700 lb time off the ground it is obviously overrated. If you all bought properly rated tires for your rigs instead of the marginal garbage that comes on them you wouldn't need a spare and the jack would be a non issue

[Lloyd]

If it was just the 1700# that everybody thinks, it would probably work, but it's not. You are actually lifting just about half the trailer to start with. You're not lifting just 1/4 of it. Come on guys, stop and think about it.

Shane, the jack can never be a non issue.

[woodwalker]

Loyd
Maybe I'm missing something
If I divide 7400 by 4 gives me 1850. That is the weight on 1 Tire. If I install a 4000lb jack under the axle beside that Tire should it not lift it. You are only lifting the weight of 1 Tire the other one is still on the ground carrying it's weight

[Lloyd]

Shane, when you put the jack under the axle, do you think it's hanging there all by it's self? No, it's tied to another axle, and they are both hooked to the trailer.

By the time you are done raising it, the trailer is also raising . Is it not?