How to Change the Tires on Other Vehicles

Although changing a tire on a Trailer other is very similar to changing a tire on a car or truck, the sheer size of the Trailer other may make it more difficult. A heavy Trailer other usually weighs more than a standard car, meaning the amount of physical exertion required to jack up the vehicle and remove the lug nuts may be increased. Having tools especially designed for your Trailer other can help; so can knowing the basics of changing a tire before you encounter a problem on the road.

Under The Hood:

• How to Change the Tires on Pop-Up Trailers
• How to Change a Tire on a Travel Trailer
• How to Change a Tire on a Tandem Axle Trailer
• How to Change a Tire on a Forklift

 How to Change the Tires on Pop-Up Trailers

Lift up the trailer using the jack and set both the axle and the frame of the pop-up trailer on the jack stands. Make sure the vehicle is secure before you work on it.

Remove the lug nuts on the wheel using the tire iron. Once they're all off, grip the tire by both sides and pull it off of the axle. Then place it to the side so it's out of the way.

Grab the replacement wheel and tire assembly with your arms and place it on the axle studs. Tighten the lug nuts down using the tire iron in a star pattern.

Lower the pop-up trailer off of the jack stands using the jack and place it on the ground. Then tighten the lug nuts on the wheel one more time, using the same star pattern as before.

 How to Change a Tire on a Travel Trailer

Move your vehicle and the attached trailer to a safe area. Because these trailers can be substantially larger than a standard car or truck, safely changing the tire may require more room. If the nearest shoulder isn't large enough, move to a parking lot (if possible). Always make sure you are working on a flat surface.

Locate your trailer's spare tire (if your trailer doesn't already have a spare, look in its owner's manual for tire specs so you can order one before you need it). Take the spare tire and any other tools you'll need -- such as a tire iron -- and set them next to the flat tire. The automotive website Edmunds.com also recommends using an air pressure gauge to test the air pressure in your spare tire to make sure it is appropriately filled.

Place wheel blocks behind all the wheels (except the one with the flat tire) on both the travel trailer and the vehicle. Double check that your vehicle is in gear with the emergency brake on.

Loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire using a tire iron (an L-shaped tool that gives users more leverage when removing sticky lug nuts), but do not remove them. The flat tire should still be on the ground at this point.

Place the jack under your vehicle (read the owner's manual for the appropriate spot to place the jack, as this varies by vehicle; placing the jack on the wrong spot can damage the trailer). You may choose to use a standard jack, or a tool specifically designed for a trailer such as "Trailer Aid" (see Resources). A tool like this may make it easier to raise a heavy travel trailer. Raise your trailer until the flat tire is completely off the ground.

Pop the hubcap off the flat tire. Lay it face down next to you.

Remove the lug nuts loosened in Step 4 completely. Put the lug nuts inside the hubcap. This allows the hubcap to act as a "bowl" to hold the lug nuts, and keep them from rolling away.

Hold the spare tire in place so that it lines up with the wheel studs. This step will be easier if you have two people -- one to hold the tire and the other to look for proper alignment. Slide the tire onto the wheel studs.

Place the lug nuts onto the new tire, but do not tighten them yet.

Lower the car from the jack, but keep the wheel blocks in place.

Tighten the lug nuts you replaced in Step 9. To tighten the lug nuts, use a "Five Star" pattern: screw on the first nut (it can be any of the five on your wheel's hubcap), then screw on the nut furthest away from the first. Installing lug nuts in this pattern is best for the vehicle, because it guarantees proper alignment of the tire and prevents unnecessary wear and tear.

Pop the hubcap back on to the wheel. Remove the wheel blocks. You're done!

 How to Change a Tire on a Tandem Axle Trailer

Use a lug nut wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the wheel with the flat tire, turning the wrench counterclockwise to loosen each lug nut. Repeat this step for all the lug nuts on the wheel.

Place a trailer aid on the ground so that it is in front of the good tire if the rear tire is flat. Alternatively, place the trailer aid on the ground so that it is in back of the good tire if the front tire is flat.

Connect the trailer to your truck if it is not already attached.

Pull the trailer forward to place the front tire on the trailer aid or push the trailer backwards until the rear tire is on the trailer aid.

Remove the lug nuts from the wheel with the flat tire. Take the wheel off and mount a new wheel onto the studs. Hand-tighten the lug nuts onto the studs.

Pull the trailer forward or back it off the trailer aid. Tighten all of the lug nuts by turning them clockwise with the lug nut wrench.

 How to Change a Tire on a Forklift

Choose a replacement tire. Consider the working conditions of the forklift and how often it is used. Forklifts that run over rough and damaging areas need a thicker tire, like a pneumatic tire. Solid rubber tires are good inside or out but are safer when used on smoother surfaces. Only use polyurethane tires in indoor working conditions.

Raise the forklift using a forklift jack. Place the forklift jack underneath the forklift in either the front or the back, depending on the tire's location.

Remove the existing tire by using an air impact wrench to remove the lug nuts from the wheel. Pull the wheel off and change the tire. If you are changing a solid rubber tire, remove the entire tire and replace it with another solid rubber tire. If you are changing a polyurethane tire, simply remove the tire and press another back on the wheel. Polyurethane tires are the easiest forklift tires to change.