What do you carry to make it possible to load toyhouse on to flatbed truck with out damaging exhaust etc.??
On Fri, Nov 3, 2023 at 8:17 AM, Doug
<doug.fallin@...> wrote:
While newer tires are less likely to "blow out" or experience a flat than old ones, it is still possible that you will experience tire failure.? It is a weak point in your RV and it is always good to be prepared for the worse.? If you've never had to change the inside rear tire on an RV, I suggest you conduct a simulation.? I did so when I purchased my Sunrader.? As a result, I discovered serveral issues that would have left me stranded.? The Jack was made for a light duty pick up and would not lift the 4000 lbs at the rear axle.? The lug wrench has an 18" handle and there was no way I was going to free the lug nuts.? The spare tire is on a chain lift and was bound from years of road grit.? I also didn't have tire chaulks or Jack stands.? My fix was to purchase an adequate Jack and Jack Stands. I bought a 12 ton bottle jack and I carry a few? 2 x 12 inch peices of lumber to serve as a base for the Jack and Stands should the ground be soft.? For the lug wrench, I purchased a 4 foot cast iron pipe that I slip over the lug wrench handle to create adequate leverage. After freeing the spare, I cleaned and lubed the chain and wench system of the spare.? I also made sure the spare was properly inflated and gave it a good cleaning.? Once all this was done, I was able to complete the simulation.? It wasn't a quick process and I did it on a level, solid surface. However, I feel more confident when Murphy decides to show up. Not mentioned above, I bought tire chaulks, road flairs, knee pads, a heavy duty air pump and a shrader valve kit.? Some might think this is overkill avoid this level of preparation relying on a phone and roadside membership (both of which I also have), however, If you travel off the beaten path where cell service and roadside assistance are questionable, being prepared will allow you to sleep at night.?
On Fri, Nov 3, 2023 at 9:39?AM Buzz Lightyear via <buzzliteyear=
[email protected]> wrote:
No, I haven't been a ToyHome owner since the late 2000s.
I purchased my Dolphin in 2005 during a period of great upheaval in my life (divorce, moving, etc.)? and did not notice that the previous owner(s)
had not replaced the tires in 12 years. I was dramatically informed of this by a passenger-side outer rear tire blowout on Interstate 5 in the middle
of California's Central Valley.
Of course, it happened quite late in the day. Of course it happened miles from the nearest off-ramp. Of course the spare tire was mounted on
a 5-lug wheel only suitable for the front (and it was 15+ years old). Of course the tow truck driver didn't have the proper 23mm socket for the lug nuts.
Of course the flatbed tow truck required too steep an angle to bring the Toyhome on board, so it bent the exhast pipe and scraped the bottom
rear corners of the coach. And, of course, the tire shop I was towed to didn't have a 185R-14 tire, so I ended up with a 195/75R14 passenger
car tire.
As soon as I got to the Los Angeles area,? I made an appointment to have 6 new tires mounted. At the time, the Yokohama Y356 was about the
best available tire, and I had no trouble with them in the several years (and about 20-25k miles) of my ToyHome ownership. I don't know if
that was due to random luck, or if Bridgestone's issues with that particular tire began after my purchase.
Anyway, the incident made me a strong advocate of replacing tires in a timely manner.
Buzz L.
Phoenix, AZ
Former '86 Dolphin 500 owner
