After our return, I bought a 20 ton bottle low profile bottle jack [way overkill] from Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E2P012G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1] that has a 6.5" unextended height.  It was super easy to use and fit nicely under the axle leaf spring in my case for an easy tire change.  It'd be a good idea to check the clearance, subtracting for the deflated tire, to see if it'd work on your trailer.  

I would add a BIG MAYBE as to whether the bottle jack will work. Ask me how I know!!

We had a flat tire and had a bottle jack.  However, with 14" tires and it being flat, the bottle jack was too high to fit under the pod axle flange.  Luckily, a highway safety truck stopped and used a floor jack and we were on our way.  We stopped at the next town with a Harbor Freight and bought a low profile 3 ton floor jack for about $65.  it lives in the pod and is much easier to deal with than a bottle jack. There are several other small floor jacks available. the handles come off and they store flat, weigh less than 20# and are great for flats as well as routine tire/brake maintenance.

One additional safety precaution that hasn't been mentioned--leave the trailer hitched to the tow vehicle , engage the parking brake and block the trailer tire that is still good. You do not want in movement of the trailer while it is supported by a jack

vann

Can also be used to lever/lift the tire and wheel up so that the holes match up to the studs. Easy peezy.

Like that thought! High enough setting and it could replace my breaker bar. I believe I may switch it out.

Originally posted by lostagain We carry a torque wrench (ratchet type) and socket.  It works for both checking torque, a necessity for safe travels, and for removing lug nuts.  If you decide to go that route, be sure to get a deep socket so it can reach the lug nuts.

+1  That is what we do as well, deep well socket . . . . . . . priceless!

Drove it as well and thought it would be a PITA if I broke down out here! Thankfully we didn't.

I carry an 18" breaker bar for 1/2" sockets. Multiple uses for it and stores nicely. I also like the bottle jack, since I still carry those yellow blocks for leveling, they'll work under the jack. Well, I do hope they will anyway...

+1 on that.  On our 2nd trip, we had one of the cheapo original tires blow out on the "Loneliest Highway in America."  I had to unhitch and drive 120 miles round trip to the nearest town to get a 4-way lug wrench.

But now I have it!

As close as possible to the wheel.  Your bottle jack will be fine.  On our 177 there is a metal bracket under the axle so you aren't putting direct pressure on the axle.  We use a floor jack- same principle as with using your bottle jack.  If you have room your could always place a scrap 2x6 under the bottle jack to get additional lift.

We picked up a 2 ton floor jack at Harbor Freight years ago,  easier to use than a floor jack, although it does take up more precious cargo space but it does lift the pod up quite easily.

1. will my TV jack (scissor jack, RAM 1500) work, or other. I carry a 2 ton bottle jack also. It doesn't have as much rise as the scissor jack.

2. where do I place the jack on trailer to lift a tire? I didn't see a tire changing guide in the 196 manual.

Thanks in advance. We are newbies.

Charles