Stranded in the RV ri

[nota]

get

a FORGED 4 WAY a big truck sized one
not a welded one


and about 6 foot of pipe and jack stand
place the jack stand level with the lug
and use you weight to get the first 1/4 turn

[Hugh R]

I can jack the RV up with the hydraulic levelers, I may look into a big ass breaker bar to change a tire to limp home. 200 ft-lbs. of torque on those lugs. Spare 19.5" tire is out of the question. No place to put it.

[DanielDudley]

Do what John suggested or call Triple A. You don't need to be messing with that stuff.

If you are determined to be able to change one yourself, consider a Li powered electric impact wrench. Some of those puppies put put out almost 1000 Ft # these days, and would serve you in the garage when not in the RV.

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

I can jack the RV up with the hydraulic levelers, I may look into a big ass breaker bar to change a tire to limp home. 200 ft-lbs. of torque on those lugs. Spare 19.5" tire is out of the question. No place to put it.

I'm guessing that the above ^^ is to be done if you have a flat on the front, enabling you to switch it out to one of the duals on the rear, correct? As DanielDudley suggested, it might be better to get an electric impact wrench--even a plug-in one that you can use by cranking up your generator. Since you have levelers, a wheel swap wouldn't be too difficult in a pinch. Additionally, carrying a truck sized tire sealant, small air compressor and some screws as John mentioned could get you on the road in many situations.

It's obvious that the larger RVs are not meant to have tire changes done by the owners if they aren't supplied with a spare. My small class A only has 16" wheels and did come with a spare, bottle jack, and lug wrench designed to be used with an extension made from the handle of the bottle jack. Still, I'm not looking forward to having to change a flat (is anyone?) but I am considering stowing an electric impact wrench and flat-fix (which is a solution supplied by the manufacturer on coaches that did not come with a spare).

Sorry to hear of your misadventure, including the awning incident, but glad everything worked out. And yeah, a hotel is cheaper, all things considered, but that's not the point is it?

[creaturecat]

i think Hugh sees enough hotel rooms in the course of a year .....

[Hugh R]

Took it to my RV guy to look at the bent awning. I think the guy who hit it isn't going to be happy, its not going to bend back correctly.

Also, he says don't drive on one dual rear, when you go around a corner, it can tend to pop the remaining tire with all the weight and it not being centered. I will buy a truck sized can of fix-a-flat however.

[Tobra]

Seems like an RV the size of a school bus would have a place to mount a spare tire. Get the electric impact wrench and you would be back in business fairly quick.

Imagine how long you would have been sitting there if you were halfway between Blythe and Kingman

[speeder]

Fix-a-flat will destroy the rim and should only be used in situations where you are really screwed, i.e., out in the middle of nowhere with no other options.

[tevake]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Seems like an RV the size of a school bus would have a place to mount a spare tire. Get the electric impact wrench and you would be back in business fairly quick.

Imagine how long you would have been sitting there if you were halfway between Blythe and Kingman

I think modern R Vs are equipped a lot like modern car. With the plan to use towing or roadside assistance to deal with even minor breakdowns.

I'm still living in the world where one deals with as much as is possible on ones own.

But will admit that tires much bigger than those on my coach are getting beyond what most can deal with singlehanded.

I'm going to be meeting up,with the previous owner of my coach this week. He is out this way from Fla. In his new to him late 90s Prevost coach. Seven MPG. And about $1thou. Per tire. It will be interesting to hear his reflections on ownership realities with that beast.

Cheers Richard

[Hugh R]

Seems kind of petty, it sort of closes, but no quite. Around $2,000 to replace the aluminum arms on the front and rear of the awning, when it hit the front of the awning, it pushed and bent the rear arm as well. When he backed in, he hit the awning and pushed it back about 2 feet. He also lives in Valencia, CA and the agreed RV repair place we both use is in Valencia, CA as well. They are going to do the repairs. He's going to take it to his insurance co. I was hoping the repair place could massage it and get it to close correctly, but they said it was tweeked and twisted and they couldn't get it to close correctly. Its not that bad, but on the other hand, it wasn't bent before.



IF I do a major trip to Alaska or something, I will look into a spare tire/wheel to bolt onto the ladder and an electric impact wrench, my generator can supply the juice. I can jack it up with the hydraulic levelers.

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by speeder

Fix-a-flat will destroy the rim and should only be used in situations where you are really screwed, i.e., out in the middle of nowhere with no other options.

How does Fix-A-Flat destroy the rim (the wheel)?

I was going to suggest F-A-F until I read the entire thread. I can see how it might destroy the TPMS on that wheel, however.

[Arizona_928]

I bought a 4ft ish breaker bar from northern tool. never needed a cheater pipe on it, but I have undone 200ft/lbs +++ nuts/bolts.

[tevake]

Been thinking about the hit on your awning, Hugh. You might take a good look at where it is mounted onto the coach also. A bit of tweaking there could cause leaking into the walls and that could really cause problems down the line.

Sounds like a tough trip to the beach. Sure hope things settled down there and you and the Mrs got to enjoy some relaxing while there.

Cheers Richard

[CurtEgerer]

Check your ladder Hugh before mounting a spare on it. I've seen ladders torn off from the bouncing affect going down the road from the weight of a couple of bikes strapped to them.

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

Check your ladder Hugh before mounting a spare on it. I've seen ladders torn off from the bouncing affect going down the road from the weight of a couple of bikes strapped to them.

Definitely^^. More likely you'd need a mount that is anchored/weight distributed to the bumper or internal steel beam.

[rusnak]

I've never had a patch last for long on my truck tires. Eventually the repair blows out and then you're really screwed. It's not worth saving a few bucks to patch a tire that carries 80+ PSI of pressure. You can try a plug to limp to the tire store, but that's all I would do. Porsche has a type of glue like "Slime" that is compatible with TPMS. But I've only had that stuff work for a short time, never in summer, and only up to a small nail and only up to around 30 PSI.

[Hugh R]

Not worried about the cost, more worried about getting to my destination. This flat was a fluke, looking under the RV I can see places to mount a spare above the frame. Not going to worry about it unless I travel to Alaska or something.

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Not worried about the cost, more worried about getting to my destination. This flat was a fluke, looking under the RV I can see places to mount a spare above the frame. Not going to worry about it unless I travel to Alaska or something.

Originally Posted by Hugh R

3 hours for a freaking tow with my RV coverage then too late for a tire shop. Truck tire service is coming.If patch $250, if new tire $600!!!

OK, well you did mention that you were concerned about costs (see above).

I was only saying that regardless of other considerations, once you get to the repair shop, the most reliable thing is to just buy a new tire. A detour to the repair shop is on your way to your destination on some days. That's just how it is.

[Baz]

I carry a tire plug repair kit and a DC powered air compression that plugs into the cig lighter. And a jack plus my spare.

I've been able to locate a screw in my tire and use the plug repair kit and air compressor to air the tire back up so I am mobile again. Without even removing the wheel. I find that a pretty good option to have.

I learned a long time ago to invest in good tires and don't let them get too worn down and you'll practically eliminate flat tires. Flats are a major PITA - even if you can fix them yourself on the side of the road.

[rusnak]

^ I'm going to guess that the OP had brand new or newish tires. New tires can't hold air if you run over a nail or a big object in the road. I'm curious about your plug trick. You use that to get to the tire store to buy another new tire?