changing a tire on an Airflyte

[vcutelli]

what is the best way to lift a Shasta? If I had a flat tire I am not sure where to put the jack to raise it up. It is a 1960 Airflyte. what kind of jack works best and where should it go?

[distant75]

The only place you should ever lift a trailer at is by the axle. The best place to lift it is by the where the spring and "U" bolts attach to the spring. As far a the best jack to buy get a hydraulic floor jack. I don't know where you live but if there is a Harbor Freight around you you could could pick one up there.

Dennis

[Red Dirt]

You may not be able to get the tire out of the well if you lift on the axle, although I agree that it is the ideal location. There isn't much clearance in these wells, especially since they ride low on the tire to begin with. With a flat tire you might be able to get the tire of and out, but I doubt you could get the spare back in.

When I had the bearings repacked, the trailer guy had trouble getting the wheel out of the well. When he jacked up one side, the angle of the axle and the tire made it too tight to remove with the tire inflated. He jacked up both sides and put it on stands next to the spring mounts so that the axle dropped down evenly on both sides and it enabled the tire to slide right out. I did the same thing when I pulled the tires to have the wheels blasted.

I would definitely practice once at home to see what works. Not all trailers are the same neither are tire sizes. Yours might slide right out. I have used the scissor jack from my jeep to lift the trailer so I plan on using that for any flats on the road. It doesn't work as easy as my floor jack, but it doesn't weigh 50lbs either. I already pack enough stuff. ;D Also I have a small 12 volt compressor, so I can deflate the spare to squeeze it in there and then inflate it, assuming that lifting both sides when on the side of the highway is not practical.

Red Dirt

[safetybruce]

I was using relatively small hydraulic piston type jacks, changing tires on 3 different trailers. I bought an inexpensive 2-ton floor jack from Wal-Mart...with a rotating handle/lever operating socket that does a good lifting job, and is not too heavy to position, but it is on wheels and wants to roll a bit if on a hard surface. I try to position it under the axel as close to the hub as I can. I also suggest doing a dry run on changing a tire...at home. I found I can get a deflated tire off and back on a lot easier than a fully inflated one. I always carry one of those power packs that when charged can jump start a truck, has a built in inflator, as well as emergency lighting.

[vcutelli]

Thanks for the info. I have a floor jack and will try the dry run. This forum has been invaluable during my rebuild.

[Bow_Tied]

I have jacked my 59 airflyte numerous times with the jack under the main frame to pull a tire, no issues. I have 15" tires that will not be removable as noted by Red Dirt if jacked under the axle. Do not jack on anything made of wood use the main frame close to the axle.

[safetybruce]

Bow_Tied, I know what you mean about having 15" tires, if I leave them inflated to put the fresh one on, I really have to jack the trailer up on that side. That is on the Clipper, where I can not even see where the frame is because of the complete aluminum bottom/underside sheath. But it does have a very stout axel. I guess each trailer type reqiuires a bit of trial and error, again, best practiced at home when there is not an emergency.

[Bow_Tied]

Oct 27, 2010 10:15:32 GMT -5 safetybruce said:

I guess each trailer type reqiuires a bit of trial and error, again, best practiced at home when there is not an emergency.

Agreed!