Ensure your safety on the road by learning how to change a tire of a single axle travel trailer.
When traveling, you never can tell what may happen to your vehicle.
Flat tires, for instance, can happen when you least expect it. So, if you want to stay safe and eliminate the stress involved in such unexpected circumstances, it is best to keep informed.
Most importantly, you need to develop this critical skill of changing a tire on your travel trailer. This way, you can continue with your travel and save money by doing the job yourself.
Learn more about these expert tips on how to change a tire on a travel trailer with a single axle. This is everything you need to know to get started!
Contents
Tools You Need to Change a Tire on a Single Axle Travel Trailer
First things first – let’s talk about the tools you need for changing a tire. What are the things you need to have on hand?
1. Jack
The most important tool you should have in your vehicle is a jack.
This is an essential tool that allows you to lift your travel trailer to initiate the tire change process.
When it comes to jacks, there are two types you can choose from. For instance, there is a scissor jack, which is electric by design. You can simply hook it up to your vehicle for ease of storage and convenience.
However, we highly recommend that you go for the bottle jack. What’s great about this type of jack is that it can accommodate a heavier weight. So, if you have a large and heavy vehicle such as a travel trailer, it should be able to do the trick perfectly well.
2. Spare Tire
Naturally, you need to have a spare tire handy to change your old, busted one.
Be sure that the spare tire you have is the exact same size as the one you are currently using. It is also typical for many people to have a spare tire in their vehicle, which could have been stored for a long time.
Thus, it is important to check it once in a while. This is to make sure that the tire is still in good condition and not cracked or damaged.
Aside from inspecting the exterior appearance, the tire should be maintained at an appropriate PSI. The last thing you want is a spare tire that has insufficient air, which won’t be ideal to use.
So, even if you are not using your spare tire, yet, make it a habit to keep it in optimal shape and the correct PSI level. This can save you so much stress, time, and money!
3. Tools
Changing a tire on a single axle travel trailer will never be possible without the right tools.
One of the tools you need is a hubcap remover, which is necessary to avoid any scratches on the hubcaps. Generally, this tool comes with a rubber portion that eliminates the risk for damages on your hubcap by simply tapping it right back on.
Next, you need a lug wrench, a type of tool for taking the old tire off. We recommend that you get yourself a dedicated lug wrench designed specifically for your travel trailer. Make sure that the wrench has a reasonable fit – not too tight or too loose – on the nut. Then, you can crank on it gently and firmly.
4. Additional Things You’ll Need
A few scraps of wood can help to make it possible for the jack to reach your trailer with the desirable height. Use the wood to get the vehicle off the ground.
Keep some 4 x 4 thick blocks of wood or even 2 x 4. These should help you to achieve your preferred height to make the tire change process easier.
Now, when changing your tire, you need to make sure that the vehicle is on stable and level ground. Otherwise, it might shift while you are lifting it off the ground. This is what wheel chocks are for. You can use these for stabilizing the vehicle and get a better angle while not worrying about it moving or shifting in place.
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How to Change a Tire on a Single Axle Travel Trailer
With all the tools ready, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work!
1. Secure the trailer.
Choose a safe and secure spot for changing the tire of your vehicle. A level ground is ideal as this makes it easier for you to raise it off the ground without the risk of it rolling downhill.
Use some wheel chocks for this purpose. Then, you can ease your worries about any untoward situation that is inevitable in inclined roads.
2. Loosen and jack up.
Use your lug wrench to loosen the nuts. The idea is to only loosen them and not remove them completely. This is the first step prior to lifting the trailer up.
3. Raise the trailer.
Get the jack to work and lift the tire at a reasonable height off the ground. Once you have done this, you can completely remove the lug nuts. Be sure that you keep them in a secure place since you will need these once you have the new tire on.
Also, you need to jack the vehicle when you are right on its frame. Never place the jack on the suspension system. Otherwise, this can cause serious damages to the vehicle.
4. Position the new tire in place.
Make sure the tire is in the right position. Once you are confident about the positioning, you can tighten the lug nuts with your hand. Then, you can lower the vehicle using the jack.
When the vehicle is on the ground, use the lug wrench to tighten the nuts. It is very important that you apply the specified torque level for the tire. We recommend using a torque wrench or the so-called “gootentight” technique. If it is the latter, you will have to head over to a specialist sooner than later to ensure the correct torque was applied.
Conclusion
Knowing how to change a tire on a single axle travel trailer can make a huge difference in your safety when on the road.
While it is always good to have a specialist do it for you, you cannot deny the importance of possessing this skill when emergencies happen. Even when you are in a remote area, you can get back on the road by changing a busted tire yourself.
Just make sure you have all the right tools and implement correct techniques to get the tire changed without any issue.
We hope this post has been helpful and insightful for you. So, head out there, enjoy your trip, and stay safe!
