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Topic ClosedBeing Prepared for a flat tire on your pod

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jato View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Being Prepared for a flat tire on your pod
    Posted: 14 May 2016 at 6:32pm
After 5 plus years with our 177 and 18,000 plus miles I decided this week to replace the tires.  What I didn't know was the 4-way lug wrench that I use on my TV  did not work on the pods wheels as I didn't have enough clearance to get the wrench onto the lugnut.  So I guess there are two options:
grind down my 3/4" end of the 4 way lug wrench so it will fit or use my 1/2" rachet with extension and a 3/4" socket, preferably a deep well.  What have the rest of you done or do the newer pods come with a wrench to take off the lugnuts?
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'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
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Leo B View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 May 2016 at 6:56pm
I have a 3/4 inch socket with extension and a torque wrench. Also have a small floor jack I carry.  
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2010 Rpod 171
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GLBCamper View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 May 2016 at 7:18pm
+1. I always keep my torque wrench, a 6 point deep socket with extension and a bottle jack in the storage compartment.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 May 2016 at 7:06am


I do much the same as the others. I carry a 1/2" (drive) breaker bar, extension and socket for the lugs.
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jato View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 May 2016 at 7:15am
I noticed on a video that it appears the newer pods have a different style wheel and the lugs look to have a lot more room to access than the wheels that came on my 2011.
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 May 2016 at 7:23am
Originally posted by GLBCamper

+1. I always keep my torque wrench, a 6 point deep socket with extension and a bottle jack in the storage compartment.

At first read I thought you kept a "bottle of Jack" for that situation...
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 May 2016 at 10:20am
I bought an "Autocraft 14 inch lug wrench" for emergencies at Advance Auto Parts that fits, also a floor jack.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 May 2016 at 12:46pm
I'm kinda curious what is to be expected when a tire blows out on the road. From looking at it, I'd think there'd be some damage to the wheel or frame.   I've heard the fender is usually a casualty of a blow out, but that can be repaired later.

What typically needs to be repaired or replaced besides the tire?
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 May 2016 at 6:15pm
We had a blowout on our last trip.  We were on a 4 lane interstate. Luckily my wife was looking in her passenger side mirror helping me move over a lane to the right and saw the tire bulging. she alerted me about the same time as the tire blew. I was able to immediately pull over on to the shoulder.  the Pod did not fishtail, sway or do anything unexpected. We suffered no damage to the pod fender, rim  or axle.

We did learn a very valuable lesson from this incident.  I had a bottle jack, my torque wrench with proper socket and all of the wheel chocks.  the problem was that the bottle jack was too tall to fit under the axle mounting brackets when the tire was flat.  We waited on the side of the road andsoon a roving safety/repair service stopped and had a floor jack.  We changed the tire in about 5 minutes and I tipped the driver $20. We went to a near by tire service and got a new tire. We stopped at the closest Harbor Freight and paid about $80 for a floor model jack.  the jack I bought has a 3.5" minimum height and weighs about 35 pounds. I have practiced with this jack and it works great.

I hope there will never be another flat tire or blowout.  but I feel prepared now with the proper equipment to take care of it myself

Vann.


Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 May 2016 at 9:12pm
Originally posted by Pod People

...We did learn a very valuable lesson from this incident.  I had a bottle jack, my torque wrench with proper socket and all of the wheel chocks.  the problem was that the bottle jack was too tall to fit under the axle mounting brackets when the tire was flat....


Wow! Great tip Vann! I use a bottle jack all the time to lift my pod, but honestly never considered lifting it with a flat tire. Floor jack on order! Just curious if you considered lifting with stabilizers just enough to get jack under? I'd hate to do it, but might consider in an emergency.

fred
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
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