Changing a flat tire on a 19 - Ramps?

[Klem]

How do you change tires on your dual axle Escape 19 ? Anyone try these?

• Trailer Aid Tandem Tire Changing Ramp by Camco

[padlin]

My neighbor has one and it supposedly works as advertised. However, he used it the other day with a flat while parked in the yard, needed more height so he put a board under it. While pulling onto it (don't know if it was forwards or backwards) the ramp slipped on the board which he couldn't see. By the time he was realized it the board and ramp were jammed between the 2 wheels. Used my floor jack to free the mess up. Moral: they work but don't try for that extra height without a spotter.

[cpaharley2008]

I have had one since the 19 and carry it with me in the front tool box in the 21.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by padlin

My neighbor has one and it supposedly works as advertised. However, he used it the other day with a flat while parked in the yard, needed more height so he put a board under it. While pulling onto it (don't know if it was forwards or backwards) the ramp slipped on the board which he couldn't see. By the time he was realized it the board and ramp were jammed between the 2 wheels. Used my floor jack to free the mess up. Moral: they work but don't try for that extra height without a spotter.

Moral of story, do not try to jack on anything but a hard surface.

[Ron in BC]

Moral of the story, use a jack, they always work.

Ron

[cpaharley2008]

Jacks too need to be on a hard surface!!

[Jubal]

The trailer aid tire ramps worked good on our 2013 Escape 19 even on the lawn. We have the 14" tires.

[Brian B-P]

The total suspension travel in a Torflex is only about three inches, so on a hard surface with the trailer level that's all the ramp height you need to leave the other tire hanging. If the suspension at the tire to be changed is more compressed than its partner on the same side of the trailer, you need more height, and if the ramp sinks into the ground you need more again. The 4.5" Camco ramp should be enough.

[Klem]

Thanks for the comments! This is my first dual axle trailer and I want to learn every clever trick. I always carry a scissor jack but I would rather not crawl on the ground

[tractors1]

Tire diameter shouldn't matter with the ramps. All flat tires are a bit smaller diameter than the one that isn't (and is on the ramp.) It's all relative to the bottom of the tires, anyway.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by tractors1

All flat tires are a bit smaller diameter than the one that isn't (and is on the ramp.)

Sure, the flat is a little smaller than the inflated tire with no load, but the inflated tire will be not just loaded but carrying double the normal load, which squishes it down again, at least partially compensating. It's pretty close to just lifting the good tire by the total amount the suspension can travel.