Changing a trailer tyre - how many of you know how to do this?

[Jingleballs]

Up until this weekend I didn't!

Went out XC schooling and noticed a nail in one of the tyres - tyre was still solid and it could have been there for weeks and I hadn't noticed.

I didn't have any equipment to change the tyre so I had to carefully drive home - luckily it was fine and is still solid but is now off for a puncture repair.

I got a friend to show me how to change the tyre but I also have none of the kit needed to do it - socket, ratchet, jack etc so there are all on my immediate to buy list!

It got me thinking, I wonder how many other people don't know how to do this?

Any another point, what do you do if you are out on your own (which I often am) and you get a flat tyre? You can't jack the trailer up with the horse in it so what do you do?

 

[Fuzznugget]

We've had to change them on an 8 horse stock trailer that was fully loaded, on the side of the road, at 2am. Not something I'd like to do again.

 

[saz5083]

Phone your trailer recovery company and they can come change your tyre while you deal with the horse

In all seriousness, a few years ago I was travelling with a friend and we had a blow out in the trailer on the M8. Managed to pull over safely and tyre was changed with the two horses still in the trailer. I wasnt risking unloading on a busy motorway hard shoulder unless it was absolutely necessary!
I have to say Im not confident in my abilities to change a tyre on the lorry (even though I can do the car when pushed!) so joking aside I would be calling my roadside recovery if it came down to it.

 

[Jingleballs]

I do have equine rescue as part of my NFU policy and keep meaning to upgrade to RAC trailer cover but not done it yet but in the time it takes for them to get to me I could have changed the tyre.

Interesting that it can be done with a horse on board - that's good to know!

 

[sywell]

What you can do if you are desperate and isolated. is pull one wheel of the trailer on to a high kerb or stone so that the other wheel that is flat is off the ground and you can with care change the wheel as long as your car wheel brace fits. Sounds dodgy but works when your stuck

 

[galaxy]

get something like this

http://www.barlowtrailer.co.uk/Trailer_Aid_Ramp_Yellow_B0055


Then you pull or reverse your good tyre onto it and it dangles the bad tyre and you can cahnge it no problems.

 

[LizzieJ]

Surely it's basically the same kit/ principle as changing a wheel on your towing vehicle? Assuming the jack and wheel brace fit?

 

[Boxers]

I do have equine rescue as part of my NFU policy and keep meaning to upgrade to RAC trailer cover but not done it yet but in the time it takes for them to get to me I could have changed the tyre.

Interesting that it can be done with a horse on board - that's good to know!

You should be able to get your trailer covered on your existing policy with NFU.

My trailer is on my Jeep insurance and I have recovery that includes the trailer.

 

[CrazyMare]

I have all the required stuff in the trailer tack locker all the time. Plus a 3 tonne jack in the car too.

My Dad was an engineer, and is very fussy about having the right stuff, so you'd be amazed at what you could unearth in our cars!

 

[Maisy]

I don't know how to....but then I wouldn't start to change one on a car either....it is just one of those things I wouldn't trust myself to do safely!!!

Thank god for RAC membership....

 

[*hic*]

I'm probably rather over the top with this but I can not only change a wheel - which is what you are talking about here - but also change a tyre. I also make sure that I carry with me the kit to change the wheels, and that the spare is in good condition. I don't however carry a spare tyre except in my lorry which has both a spare wheel with tyre fitted and a spare tyre. I know I'd not be able to change the lorry tyre by the side of the road but at least it saves having to ring round to get a company with the correct tyre on board should I have a double blow out.

It has always horrified me that people are not taught to change wheels as part of their driving test preparation, especially when I hear how many people have to call the breakdown service out to do the job. It takes less than 10 minutes before you can be on your way - provided of course you can get to a safe place to do the work. I changed my first wheel, with my mother's help, aged eight. Both my daughters were taught to change wheels when they were in their early teens. Neither of them has needed to but at least they do know what to do and won't be stranded.

 

[martlin]

Well, the easiest way, and probably the route I would take:
take your mobile out of the pocket
take your AA card out of your wallet
dial the number
ask for a nice man to come and help

alternatively, if still at a showground:
look sad and lost and smile at first middle-aged male you see

both options don't involve getting dirty or tired

 

[Baileyhoss]

When I passed my test, my dad took me out and made me swop round all the wheels on my car using the car manual instructions with him just watching. A couple of years later I had a puncture and was quite confident & capable of making the change myself and driving carefully home. I am a fairly practical person though.

If I had a flat on the trailer I would be confident to change it too either empty with the jack or loaded with something more solid keeping the wheel up.

 

[Dubsie]

Surely it's basically the same kit/ principle as changing a wheel on your towing vehicle? Assuming the jack and wheel brace fit?

That's what I thought too, is all standard, was wondering what this post was about?! Thought OP might have forgotten to carry the key for the spare's locking wheelnut - ours is on the trailer keys, but as the trailer lives hitched to the car it's almost easy to forget to pick up the trailer keys on the way out!

 

[jinglejoys]

I don't bother trying anymore,just call the RAC,the same for the car!
It gets me so angry that I always fall at the first fence,undoing the bloody wheel nuts! It used to be such a simple job bu now they do the nuts up so tight with those bloomin machines you need another machine to undo them!!!!!!

 

[fidleyspromise]

I don't bother trying anymore,just call the RAC,the same for the car!
It gets me so angry that I always fall at the first fence,undoing the bloody wheel nuts! It used to be such a simple job bu now they do the nuts up so tight with those bloomin machines you need another machine to undo them!!!!!!

Yep, I agree. I got adept at changing my Astra's wheels as it seemed to get a flat every other week. Then in York, I got a flat and couldn't get the nuts off, neither could any of the men on the yard so called RAC and felt so stupid at calling them to undo the nuts. He was really nice though and simply changed the wheel for me.

When I get a trailer - my dad will show me how to do everything I might need.