Changing flat tire
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3011
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Topic: Changing flat tire
Posted By: granpod
Subject: Changing flat tire
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2012 at 7:04pm
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Could someone please advise how to change a flat tire with the spare tire provided? Where is the wheel jack and jacking point? I assume stablilizer jacks are not designed for carry full load of the trailer. ------------- GranPod 2013 RPOD 177 2012 Chevrolet Colorado |
Replies:
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2012 at 8:58pm
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Welcome. You need to provide a jack, often the one in your TV (tow vehicle) will work but you may need to use blocks to get it high enough. The official word is don't lift by the frame, and don't lift by the axle. Some here agree that the only reasonable solution is to use a piece of wood to spread the load on the frame and lift on the frame as close to the wheel as possible. Never use the built-in stabilizer jacks to lift the pod. When used as stabilizers you want to make contact with the ground and turn the handle maybe 2 more times tops to apply some pressure. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: TIDALWAVE
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2012 at 10:25am
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If you look closely at your axle adjacent to the wheel-hub, you will see a couple of vertical flanges welded to the axle. (one member has a nice set of photos...use 'search' to find them) You put your own jack under the flanges to lift that side of the Pod. The flanges spread the Pod's weight along that part of the axle for lifting (don't lift on the round part of the axle!). Check on any wiring that might be pinched when you lift the axle. If needed, move the wiring, to prevent cutting the brake wires when the jack pad or axle is lifted. I use a 'scissor' jack to lift the axle. A larger jack will lift the Pod more easily but takes more storage room. You will also need a wheel nut wrench to remove the wheel nut lugs. I use a 'collapseable' cross-type wrench...it has four different nut sizes and stores in a very little space. I use a pair of wheel chocks to prevent the wheel from rotating while I am loosing or tightening the lugs. A friend of mine has his wife push on the tow vehicle's brakes to cause the Pod's brakes to lock its wheels. After replacing the wheel, tighten the wheel lugs in a diagonal pattern until the wheel is correctly snugged onto the hub. Tighten the lugs as hard as possible. The recommended torque is 100 ft/lbs. I find that I am not strong enough to tighten the lugs that tight using a normal (or collapseable) lug wrench. I use my torque wrench set to 100 when I get home. Of course, you could carry a torque wrench with if you are worried you haven't tightened the lugs sufficiently. ------------- TIDALWAVE |
Posted By: Paige
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2012 at 2:36pm
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Here is my suggestion,,,AAA! ------------- Paige and Pete 2010 177 - RPug 2012 Rav (six cylinder) New York & Florida residents 
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Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2012 at 4:25pm
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Or Good Sam! ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: TIDALWAVE
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2012 at 6:30pm
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AAA or Good Sam are great, unless you're 50 miles in the forests of Montana and you do not have cell phone reception. I came upon a lady and her young son an hour and half drive on a gravel Natl. Forest Road in Northern Colorado last summer. She had taken a 'short cut' through the forest. But she had gotten a flat and her husband had forgotten to replace the jack in her trunk. She was literally in tears and her little boy was starting to panic. No one had come by all morning and cell phones didn't work. It only took me a few minutes to jack up her car, change the tire and follow her out of the woods. I even got a thank you card from her and her son a few weeks later. So you really should be prepared to change your own tires. Otherwise camp out only in urban areas. ------------- TIDALWAVE |