changing a tire on tow vehicle when trailering

[massimofinance]

I have a feeling I might get a flat while towing my utility trailer (5x9) about 4 hours. Just a hunch I guess. Question is, do I need to remove the trailer from the hitch BEFORE I jack up the truck?

Thanks...

 

[Bondo]

Re: changing a tire on tow vehicle when trailering

Nope,... The trailer changes nothing that common safety procedures don't already cover...
In other words,...
Block the wheel on the Opposite corner of the tow unit, as you always should, then change yer tire...
It ain't gonna go nowhere...

'course, the trailer might be in the way of retrieving the Spare,...

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: changing a tire on tow vehicle when trailering

"I have a feeling I might get a flat while towing my utility trailer (5x9) about 4 hours. Just a hunch I guess."

Umm just wondering what's fueling this feeling about your tow vehicle. Seeing some steel belts where the tread should be? Sounds to me like you already know it's time to re-tire!

 

[NYBo]

Re: changing a tire on tow vehicle when trailering

Leaving the trailer attached to the tow vehicle seems like it would be a lot safer to me.

 

[Splat]

Re: changing a tire on tow vehicle when trailering

Also with the leave it attasched crowd. However the ONLY problem I could forsee it the added tongue weight of the trailer maybe making it harder to jack up the rear of the vehicle? Not even sure if it would be a problem, I doubt it now that I typed it....
Bill

 

[jayhanig]

Re: changing a tire on tow vehicle when trailering

I have a feeling I might get a flat while towing my utility trailer (5x9) about 4 hours. Just a hunch I guess. Question is, do I need to remove the trailer from the hitch BEFORE I jack up the truck?

Thanks...

If it were a front tire, I'd leave it hooked up. I believe I'd separate if it were a back tire. What's the big deal anyway? You only have to unlock it and move one or the other a couple of inches to have it no longer being any sort of factor.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: changing a tire on tow vehicle when trailering

If it were a front tire, I'd leave it hooked up. I believe I'd separate if it were a back tire. What's the big deal anyway? You only have to unlock it and move one or the other a couple of inches to have it no longer being any sort of factor.

I agree...in fact leaving the trailer hooked up will only compound any problems if the jack were to fail in any way since you'd be dropping both the tow vehicle and the boat trailer tongue.

Sometimes when a tire blows out you don't have the best footing to seat a jack on, ie gravel, dirt or no shoulder to pull onto.

Easy enough to unhook three or four things and push the trailer back an inch or two.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: changing a tire on tow vehicle when trailering

guys if your worried about the jacks ability to lift a vehicle regardless of whether its hooked up to a trailer or not is splitting hairs, replace it with a better one. In fact I think it would be wise to replace the stock jack anyway, they are enough to get the job done but lets face it they are not exactly what most would consider a quality product anyway right? Do any of us use the stock jack from our trucks in our own garage? that kinda speaks for itself doesn't it?

 

[Bass Tracker TX17]

Re: changing a tire on tow vehicle when trailering

I have a feeling I might get a flat while towing my utility trailer (5x9) about 4 hours. Just a hunch I guess. Question is, do I need to remove the trailer from the hitch BEFORE I jack up the truck?

Thanks...

You have a small trailer.

Block the tires like was mentioned.

They have smaller floor jacks that would suit your application.

HOWEVER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You really need to actually change the tire NOW to see how it goes. Nothing worse than trying to figure out HOW to do it when your in that situation.
Hook it up. Change it and see what you have to do.
If it won't work well, then you know you have to unhook.

I can't tell you the things i use to see on the road with people trying to change tires on cars and trailers.



Do yourself a favor and then if it does happen you'll go "MMMM no biggie, I've done it before."

Have a safe trip.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: changing a tire on tow vehicle when trailering

The stock jack is already working at its weight limit so if its on the back unhook the trailer. Also If possible change it now because if it blows out it can do some serious damage to you vehicle. Its also easier to jack the vehicle up if the tire is not flat yet because you have all that extra clearance.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: changing a tire on tow vehicle when trailering

Get some new tires.

 

[Bondo]

Re: changing a tire on tow vehicle when trailering

The stock jack is already working at its weight limit so if its on the back unhook the trailer.

Huh,..??..??..??

 

[pmillar]

Re: changing a tire on tow vehicle when trailering

If your "feeling" is that strong make sure you can get the lug nuts loose before you leave. Many tire places just zap those things on with impact guns - often greatly over torquing them. That combined with cheap tool kits can make for trouble with a stripped or split lug nut wrench.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: changing a tire on tow vehicle when trailering

The stock jack is already working at its weight limit so if its on the back unhook the trailer. .

I do not recall any vehicles owner manual ever having a warning to empty the cargo before using the O.E.M. jack.
And I hope the trailer tongue weight is nowhere near the cargo capacity of the truck.

 

[NYBo]

Re: changing a tire on tow vehicle when trailering

I have to admit I misread the original question. I thought we were discussing changing a tire on the trailer, not the tow vehicle.:redface:

I therefore change my advice: unhitch the trailer first.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: changing a tire on tow vehicle when trailering

The first thing I'd do is make sure I had a good heavy duty floor jack. ( I Do) and a couple of wooden chucks for the trailer ,Just in case.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: changing a tire on tow vehicle when trailering

If your "feeling" is that strong make sure you can get the lug nuts loose before you leave. Many tire places just zap those things on with impact guns - often greatly over torquing them. That combined with cheap tool kits can make for trouble with a stripped or split lug nut wrench.

Man, that's the truth. I had to go buy a length of pipe to use as a cheater to get my lug nuts loose on my boat trailer when I replaced the rims with galvanized ones. Long ago I learned about the hassles involved with using a stock jack and replaced the jacks in both my car and my truck with hydraulic ones. Also I replaced the L shaped lug wrench with a cross type. It just makes life much easier when you need to get something off.

I would definitely make sure I could loosen the lug nuts ASAP at home before you go anywhere else. The road is nowhere to find out you don't have adequate tools to do the job.

 

[Skagit Hunter]

Re: changing a tire on tow vehicle when trailering

Knowing your going to get a flat..........Correct the prob before you start. A blow out pulling a trailer is no fun.....pucker factor... Taking yrs off you life, or could be the end of it.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: changing a tire on tow vehicle when trailering

Agree with skagit: Strong feeling, but you don't say why, equals bad tires. Replace them before the trip. Then you won't need to worry about whether or not to disconnect the trailer.

The couple of hundred bucks--yeah, I know, it feels like a million-- will be well worth the peace of mind. Not to mention sticking your a** out in traffic trying to change one.

You say you can't afford new tires? You can't afford the hospital bill and the lost income if you are hurt! Still say you can't afford them? Get GOOD used ones from the local auto wrecker. If you are lucky you can get them on your brand rims and then all you need to do is bolt on the wheels.

Shoulda, woulda, coulda--hindsight is always 20-20 but foresight is better.