Being Prepared for a flat tire on your pod

Another problem with a bottle jack is that it won't lift the pod high enough to put a fully inflated tire on the wheel.  We have a scissors jack, use it in combo with a bottle jack.

Originally posted by Jeffpugman Okay. We have a long trip planned this summer and now I'm spooked about having a flat. I would love some advice on what type of floor jack to get. There are many types, weights, etc. Don't want to get more than I need for my 179.

You don't need to get an expensive, heavy-duty floor jack if you're only going to use it for your R-pod.  They weigh under 3,000 lbs., and you're only lifting one wheel--the rest of the weight will be distributed between the other wheel and the tongue.  A 2-ton would be more than adequate.  They can be had for well under $50.

As far as being spooked, though, let me just say that in towing campers for almost 25 years (and probably somewhere north of 100,000 miles), I've never experienced a blow-out.  I've had a blowout or two in my tow vehicle, but not in the camper.  That's not saying you won't, but it's far from a common occurrence. 

Another thought:  I've been able to use the scissors jack that's in my tow vehicle to jack up the Pod in our driveway.  You may not need to purchase or haul around a floor jack.

This thread has shifted towards changing the flat. My concern is what effect the blowout will have to things other than the tire.

Is it likely that after a blow-out the tire can be replaced and you're back on the road. I've got concerns that based upon the single axle and size of the trailer, that at least the wheel (not rim) will be damaged from running without the tire. Or perhaps the frame or stabilizer jacks will get wrecked dragging on the road.

What have the problems been to some of those who've experienced this, and under what conditions (highway, back road, traffic jam, etc.). I see the one example earlier in the thread that resulted in minimal problems, but is that typical?

I'm not just looking for horror stories, but I do have concerns about travelling on a busy highway at 60 mph and one of these questionable Chinese tires blow.

Well I'm not limiting my concern to the blow-outs caused by tires of questionable quality but any blow-out that occurs on the road.

The questionable quality of the Chinese tires just makes this unfortunate circumstance more likely.

I guess I'm looking for re-assurance that typically a tire blow out doesn't involve much more inconvenience than using the spare and continuing on your journey. Albeit a stop at a tire or rv store will be necessary in the near future.