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Old 07-08-2018, 08:04 PM   #1
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Tire Change - Bottle or Rapid Jack

Hello, question about changing tires on a 5.0 TA - should I carry a bottle jack or will an Anderson Rapid Jack suffice in the need to change a tire?

I've seen some older threads about the Rapid Jack not working because of the axels Escape uses and wanted to see if there is any concensus one way or there other.

Thanks
Jim
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Old 07-08-2018, 08:08 PM   #2
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First see if whatever jack you have for your tow vehicle will work for the trailer. No need to carry multiples of something that you may or may not ever need.
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Old 07-08-2018, 08:24 PM   #3
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Thanks Donna, I will certainly look into that, but I'm hoping a Rapid Jack will do the trick as it looks much faster and simpler.

Jim
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Old 07-08-2018, 08:30 PM   #4
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I don't even know if the jack in my truck would work for my trailer, so it's not like I even follow my own suggestions! All I know is I hated the bottle jack in my last Ford F150 and would never use it for any reason after the first time. What a worthless piece of junk that was...

So, I carry a 1.5 ton aluminum racing floor jack. 3-1/2 pumps it goes up 18 inches. https://www.harborfreight.com/15-ton...ump-62160.html
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Old 07-08-2018, 08:38 PM   #5
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Floor jack is rather bulky compared to my 3 or 5 ton bottle jack ( can't remember ). Given that I've never used it, I'm not sure that the potential aggravation it offers is a problem.

What were the issues with yours?
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Old 07-08-2018, 08:57 PM   #6
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The bottle jack in the old F150, wasn't a pump bottle jack, it was a twist this slot to get it to go up... piece of junk. Used the end of the lug wrench like a screw driver. Only once... only once.
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Old 07-08-2018, 09:12 PM   #7
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Hello all.
Picked up a sheet metal screw in Parker Arizona.
Brought out the rapid jack.Worked like a charm.It was fast and it was easy.I would be worried about a bottle jack doing damage to the fiber glass if slipping but of course caution is needed in all cases.
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Old 07-08-2018, 09:37 PM   #8
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The bottle jack in the old F150, wasn't a pump bottle jack, it was a twist this slot to get it to go up... piece of junk. Used the end of the lug wrench like a screw driver. Only once... only once.
Oh heck, I have a used only once one that I was hoping to sell you. I agree, that type of jack isn't my go-to jack at home.

My only used once was in Alaska, and while it isn't my favorite type of jack it did the job. Not every situation is the same and there could be an occasion where I use it for the trailer. Not all flats happen in ideal locations.

My way of jacking up a trailer is primitive and low tech. I carry four 2x10 blocks that are hollowed out to lighten them and have a 1/2 think bottom added. This lets me lift the wheel enough to change a tire. And I use them all the time for leveling the trailer.

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Old 07-09-2018, 12:22 PM   #9
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i have one of those drive on jacks used them for horse trailers they work great .
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Old 07-09-2018, 12:46 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bilbo View Post
Hello, question about changing tires on a 5.0 TA - should I carry a bottle jack or will an Anderson Rapid Jack suffice in the need to change a tire?

I've seen some older threads about the Rapid Jack not working because of the axels Escape uses and wanted to see if there is any concensus one way or there other.

Thanks
Jim

It's a good idea to practice changing a tire at home first, rather than "on-the-job" training.
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Old 07-09-2018, 01:52 PM   #11
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I carry a bottle jack in case of emergency as it doesn't take up much space. For the one flat I had on the trailer I called Good Sam.

If you get one of the ramp jacks just make sure it lifts the tire high enough for the bad tire to clear the ground. I tried a neighbors Camco and it did not work. This is on a 2014 with leaf springs, not the torsion that you'll have.
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Old 07-09-2018, 02:19 PM   #12
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I gladly pay roadside assistance insurance. I think it is a bit more than $2 a month.
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Old 07-09-2018, 04:20 PM   #13
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I used 2 or 3 (can’t remember which) levelling blocks to do all the bearings and brakes on my Escape 21. No need for a jack any longer other than for the TV.
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Old 07-09-2018, 06:30 PM   #14
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tire changing

I use two 2by6 cut at 45 degree angles so one can just drive up on boards two boards on good tire will have enough room to take off bad tire .make sure you loosen the nuts befor driving up on boards Real easy and cheap
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Old 07-09-2018, 08:24 PM   #15
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I bought one of these recently and already needed it. Worked well, but it needs to be on firm ground.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Old 07-10-2018, 08:38 AM   #16
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I bought one of these recently and already needed it. Worked well, but it needs to be on firm ground.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
According to my Amazon, I purchased that back in 2012.....
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Old 07-10-2018, 10:47 AM   #17
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I use two 2by6 cut at 45 degree angles so one can just drive up on boards two boards on good tire will have enough room to take off bad tire .make sure you loosen the nuts befor driving up on boards Real easy and cheap
Yes, and versatile. I've used mine also for the rear wheels of the truck in difficult leveling situations.

Ron
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Old 07-10-2018, 10:57 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bilbo View Post
Hello, question about changing tires on a 5.0 TA - should I carry a bottle jack or will an Anderson Rapid Jack suffice in the need to change a tire?

I've seen some older threads about the Rapid Jack not working because of the axels Escape uses and wanted to see if there is any concensus one way or there other.

Thanks
Jim
I am in the bottle jack camp. I carry a hydraulic bottle jack that does 5 or 6 ton. This will also allow me to change the tire on a fully loaded truck, trailer, whatever...I don't trust the jack that the truck came with. I have even used the jack to help level things in extreme cases I find it easier than driving up on something to jack and put the right blocks where they belong. Now if I could find the balance point, I could get the whole trailer up in the air with one jack...
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Old 07-10-2018, 10:57 AM   #19
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Yes, and versatile. I've used mine also for the rear wheels of the truck in difficult leveling situations.

Ron
Ron,
Are you saying that adjusting the tow vehicle will level your trailer? or is that comment strictly for truck purposes?
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Old 07-10-2018, 10:59 AM   #20
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Originally Posted by Ian and Sue View Post
I am in the bottle jack camp. I carry a hydraulic bottle jack that does 5 or 6 ton. This will also allow me to change the tire on a fully loaded truck, trailer, whatever...I don't trust the jack that the truck came with. I have even used the jack to help level things in extreme cases I find it easier than driving up on something to jack and put the right blocks where they belong. Now if I could find the balance point, I could get the whole trailer up in the air with one jack...
Not sure that would be a good idea for the frame and opposite axle side...
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