Talk to me about changing a tire on a 21

[Griz&Mi]

We are buying a used 21C, We have a Casita 17 with BAL jacks front and rear so changing a tire is just a matter of jacking the tire off the ground. How do you change a tire on your Escape. (remove the tire to re-pack the bearings)?


Thanks
Griz

[stephen99]

Get one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Trailer-Aid-T...8422007&sr=8-3

If you want to remove the back tire drive up the Aid with the front tire. It will lift the whole side of the trailer enough to allow you to remove the back tire. If you want to remove the front tire back up onto the Aid with the back tire.

[Iowa Dave]

Break the lug nuts loose before lifting the tire and wheel free of the ground. Makes it easier if you are using manual tools and not a powered impact wrench (air or electric)
YMMV
Iowa Dave

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Griz&Mi

We are buying a used 21C, We have a Casita 17 with BAL jacks front and rear so changing a tire is just a matter of jacking the tire off the ground.

Escape's have BAL stabilizing jacks, too... but they're not for lifting the trailer (whether the trailer is a Casita or an Escape).

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

Escape's have BAL stabilizing jacks, too... but they're not for lifting the trailer (whether the trailer is a Casita or an Escape).

BAL also makes scissor jacks, in addition to the stabilizers which BAL calls the "C" jack. I think Griz is talking about the scissor jack that he used on his Casita.

BAL "C" jack: https://balrvproducts.com/products/c...s/c-jack.shtml

BAL scissor jack: https://balrvproducts.com/products/c...sorsjack.shtml

[Fox hunt]

i use the trailer aide too so easy

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

BAL also makes scissor jacks, in addition to the stabilizers which BAL calls the "C" jack...

BAL "C" jack: https://balrvproducts.com/products/c...s/c-jack.shtml

While the C-Jack (unlike the other BAL single-leg jack models) is rated for leveling (which means raising under load), it is still not for lifting the wheels off of the ground.

Originally Posted by Donna D.

I think Griz is talking about the scissor jack that he used on his Casita...

BAL scissor jack: https://balrvproducts.com/products/c...sorsjack.shtml

Even the scissor jacks are, as the linked BAL page says, not for lifting, or even raising any significant amount to level:

Scissors jacks provide fine leveling and stabilizing

From the BAL scissor jack operating manual:

• DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE THIS SCISSORS JACK TO LIFT EXCESSIVE WEIGHT OR TIRES OFF THE GROUND - VEHICLE FRAME AND DOOR JAMB DAMAGE MAY OCCUR. USE ONLY STOCK HANDLE SUPPLIED. DO NOT USE A CHEATER BAR ON HANDLE.
• DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE THIS SCISSORS JACK FOR ANY PURPOSE OTHER THAN ITS INTENDED DESIGN.
• DO NOT USE THIS SCISSORS JACK AS A TIRE CHANGING JACK.

The last one is particularly relevant for the Casita and the few Escapes that accidentally came with BAL scissor jacks.

Neither type of stabilizing or leveling jack is placed on these trailers (Casita or Escape) in a suitable location for supporting the trailer's weight without load on the suspension. This is the reason for the warning about "vehicle frame and door jamb damage".

Yes, a scissor jack can be used for lifting, if designed for that purpose and appropriately placed - many cars come with them.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Griz&Mi

How do you change a tire on your Escape. (remove the tire to re-pack the bearings)?

Re-packing bearings (assuming we're talking about doing it properly, not just pumping grease into the hub via the E-Z Lube fitting) is not the same as just changing a wheel and tire. If you are going to work on the vehicle which is not supported by the suspension, for safety you need a jackstand, not just the lifting jack.

Certainly the easiest method with tandem axles is, as already suggested, to run the other tire up on a ramp to lift the target tire clear of the ground.

[Griz&Mi]

So sayeth the documentation, but a 7500lb rated stabilizer (sissor jack) will in fact lift a 3300 lb trailer.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Griz&Mi

So sayeth the documentation, but a 7500lb rated stabilizer (sissor jack) will in fact lift a 3300 lb trailer.

It might, but if it's at the front or rear of the trailer, it's not in the proper place to safely lift the trailer. Bendy, bendy goes the frame.... maybe. I wouldn't. YMMV I carry an aluminum, rapid pump racing jack. I hate the jack in my Ford F-150 and the trailer aid only works on the trailer. Now I have something that works for both.

[Griz&Mi]

Thanks for the input!

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

I carry an aluminum, rapid pump racing jack.

Can you please link to an example of this jack or one like it. Sounds like a good idea, but I' clueless what it looks like, how large, how heavy, etc.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Can you please link to an example of this jack or one like it. Sounds like a good idea, but I' clueless what it looks like, how large, how heavy, etc.

Harbor Freight. I got it on sale PLUS used a coupon. Paid about $50
https://www.harborfreight.com/15-ton...ck-64545.html?

[gbaglo]

Thank you.
I guess it's about time I got out my bottle jack to see if I can actually use it to change a tire.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Thank you.
I guess it's about time I got out my bottle jack to see if I can actually use it to change a tire.

Something to remember Glenn, is my trailer is on leaf springs. The jack point is actually on the axle, close to the tire, not the frame.

[gbaglo]

I think I'll probably be sitting in the ditch with my head in my hands, weeping, as I wait for AAA ( CAA actually ).

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

I think I'll probably be sitting in the ditch with my head in my hands, weeping, as I wait for AAA ( CAA actually ).

Only if you have the RV endorsement, or whatever BCAA calls it

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

Only if you have the RV endorsement, or whatever BCAA calls it

I do. Which reminds me, not only have I been paying full replacement insurance for the past year, without moving from the driveway, I've also paid for BCAA RV Plus. I can't even call them for a jump start since it's plugged into the mains.
Was sitting in the back yard, in the sunshine, quaffing a beer or two with a buddy this afternoon. We discussed if it made sense to own and maintain a trailer when all the campsites are full and when the chief health officer was advising everybody to stay home.

My full service back yard, including a beer fridge, just looks better and better. Got a crew coming to decapitate the laurel hedge in a week or two, so it's going to be even more tolerable.

[7th Heaven]

We have used this and it works great! Had to change a tire on the side of I-5


https://andersenhitches.com/products/rapid-jack

[daniel108]

Has anyone ever tried to use an air compressor rather than a jack? If one tire is totally flat, I would think you could pull it off without jacking. Then of course your spare would also have to be flattened enough to get it on, and then refilled. I have not tried this, but I do travel with an air compressor so the thought had occurred to me. I guess you could also dig a hole under the flat tire if the ground is soft enough.

Are the Trailer-Aid or Rapid Jack significantly better than a set of leveling blocks? I see the Trailer-Aid has a depression to keep the trailer from moving, while the Rapid Jack does not. But either one should be chocked no doubt. Prefer not to buy and carry another item if I have something that can already perform the function.