Tire Changing Question

DoubleT · 07-22-2019, 03:07 PM

Do you have to open up fully to change a tire? Or can it be done fully closed? Thanks!

**Bill** · 07-22-2019, 06:04 PM

It cannot be done with the shells closed. My experience is that you have to open it almost completely, and remove the fender skirt, in order to have enough clearance to remove the tire.

Bill

**Kidkraz** · 07-22-2019, 06:04 PM

Ya gotta open it up. You have to remove the tire covers, which requires the rig to be open.

TrailManorMan · 07-22-2019, 08:24 PM

Yep and not fun on a interstate with trucks flying by!

Larryjb · 07-22-2019, 10:23 PM

https://www.texaschoiceoutdoors.com/trailmanor.html

It looks like it may be possible to change a tire without opening the newer ones. Anyone try?

DoubleT · 07-22-2019, 10:25 PM

Thanks that what I thought. About to put on some new Maxxis tires before hitting the road . Thanks again!

**Bill** · 07-23-2019, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larryjb

It looks like it may be possible to change a tire without opening the newer ones. Anyone try?

The intro picture is interesting, since it shows the TM with the shells raised. In this position, it looks like it might be possible. But farther down the page, there is a picture of the collapsed trailer, and it doesn't look quite as easy.

Since you are going to put your jack under the frame (never the axle!), the suspension will droop a bit as the frame goes up, giving you a bit more clearance. Will it be enough? My personal opinion is No, but I haven't done it on a new trailer, so I can't be sure. But my 2006 TM had a factory-installed 2-1/2 inch lift kit, which raised the frame to make it look like the new trailers. And I still couldn't change a tire without opening the trailer.

Most of the problem comes from the fact that the side of the tire is very close to the fender skirt (less than half an inch, as I recall). Once the trailer is off the ground, you might be able to remove the lug nuts, but then there isn't enough space to pull the wheel off the studs. And even if you remove the skirt (which looks impossible in the picture, and which I could not do), there is still not enough space between the tire and the shell wall.

Just my experience with my lifted trailer. I had to raise the shells in order to get the tire off.

Bill

**Kidkraz** · 07-23-2019, 12:48 PM

I’ve changed the curb side tire and the shells had to be opened for me to remove the tire cover and replacing of the tire. Now if for some reason your TM doesn’t have those covers, you might get away without opening the shells.
An FYI for you, if you do have a tire failure and the tire shreds some you’ll more than likely find rubber remains inside the bathroom wall area. As you can see in the second picture there’s a few things in the way.

tentcamper · 07-23-2019, 04:37 PM

Yep rise the front and back. I have been told but not sure its is correct. If you have a 3" lift modification you don't need to open the camper. I know with my 2.5" lift I needed about 3/8" more to clear the fender skirt.

oldstick · 07-23-2019, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrailManorMan

Yep and not fun on a interstate with trucks flying by!

I agree Sir, it is not fun whatsoever. Not even even when trying to work on right side tire. Almost like being in the middle of a battlefield, except bullets aren't constantly flying at you. But you're still hoping a bomb doesn't hit near you.