Always carry a valid spare tire and tools to change it.

[two_bit_score]

$23.46 here with tax

Mine arrived yesterday. I’ll keep it with the Milwaukee 1/2” impact.

 

[Dmacleo]

tracking stuff is much more important than most realize. most of us here are not commercial users so that factor slips by. but no matter what TOW vehicle you use....trailer don't care. keep track of your MTX crap.

 

[jwinner]

I had a spare on my old 14k trailer. Now I have a 7k without a spare. I never used the spare on the old one, and it sat in the sun along with the other 4 tires slowly deteriorating. New one is inside so far, and I’m thinking I haul rarely enough I am going to hold off. We’ll see.

 

[Fields_mj]

went to store few minutes ago. on way back following 1/2 ton gmc truck with (16 foot single bay) horse trailer w/o tow mirrors (huge mistake..bigger error about to be shown) and I see his right rear (dual axle) tire was almost flat.
I start flashing lights hitting horn arm out window. he didn't see me. remember what I said about tow mirrors? 1/2 mile later tire blows, he aint got a spare, and its on a sunday.
and there was large bull inside trailer.
not a damned thing I could do.

Thanks for the reminder. I used my last spare trailer tire last year and forgot to get a new one installed on my spare rim (15" 6 lug).

I've always kept basic tools in all of my vehicles. At least enough to change a tire. My truck is an old F350 crew cab. I keep an electric impact in it and a 20T bottle jack. I keep a floor jack in my wife's car because it will be easier and safer for her to use if she's by herself. I need to get her a 12v electric impact. Many times I've been on the side of the road and needed to use my tools. A few times I've been able to help someone else. Last time it was because the 4 way he had didn't actually fit the lug nuts on his car. The impact came in handy

 

[Dmacleo]

I had a spare on my old 14k trailer. Now I have a 7k without a spare. I never used the spare on the old one, and it sat in the sun along with the other 4 tires slowly deteriorating. New one is inside so far, and I’m thinking I haul rarely enough I am going to hold off. We’ll see.

I blew a tire with 16K lbs inside a dual ram 7x14 Cam dump trailer. very glad I insisted company I worked for provided a spare and used my bottle jack and tools to change. on the side if I-95 in Bangor Maine. glad it was passenger side that blew.

 

[tracdoc]

What a fine collection of tips, tricks and safety advice in this thread. Thank you, OP. Should be required reading for anyone towing or planning to. Many do it too casually not realizing that the trailer and load can be deadly to the owner as well as anyone nearby.
I always carried working spare in my trailer. Since we were hauling racing stuff, I never lacked tools either. One tip I could offer is to consider using a quality TIRE SEALANT in all the trailer tires. It’s a belt and suspenders mindset.
I use ULTRASEAL which is available directly or go to Gempler’s and buy it there. They have 3 types, two for highway tires and one super-duty sealant for off road tractors and machines. Just add the recommended volumes according to tire size charts and instant improvement in peace of mind when on the road. The sealant also reduces tire carcass deterioration due to age. Ultraseal carries tire valve adapters and hand pumps to make this an easy-peasy task, too.

Website: Ultraseal Tire Sealant – Puncture Repair

 

[oosik]

I have a full sized spare and all the necessary tools on the Taco wagon ( Ram 2500 Power Wagon ). Be sure you realize how really HEAVY a spare tire can be. I had to drop the spare to do some underbody cleaning. I'm glad I didn't get bigger tires. And remember - where you will be changing that tire - probably not as nice as the soft, green grass in your yard - cars could be whizzing past - it's likely not very level also.

 

[UncleSam]

Heck, I also carry some 2x12 dunnage blocks, a hydraulic jack, a small ledge, pry bar, wire, tool box, wire ties, spray lube, tow straps, rags and more in my truck and on any trailer I ever owned or bought the first thing I did was buy a spare tire and mount it on the trailer. Always be ready for a roadside emergency. Why? Because I’m 58 years old and have experienced them, mostly flat tires on the side of the road. I don’t know how many young fellas read this page but they should be listening.

 

[John0829]

I don’t know how many young fellas read this page but they should be listening.

You know that ain't gonna happen, young-in's already know everything... just ask em'

 

[duramaxsky]

A lot of vehicles have those space saver spares and some come with a factory can like Fix A Flat.

Or the stupid run flats.

 

[WinterDeere]

I blew a tire...on the side if I-95 in Bangor Maine. glad it was passenger side that blew.

...cars could be whizzing past...

A family friend was killed while changing a tire on the side of an interstate many years ago. The story I remember was that he was down on his haunches while mounting the spare, when the combination of wind shear followed by suction created by a semi passing very close to him at 70 mph pulled him under the semi trailer. He was likely precariously balanced, as many of us may be when lifting a spare onto a hub, and the rush of air of the passing truck was just enough to disturb his balance. In any case, the rear trucks of the semi trailer rolled over him, total road pizza scenario.

Another acquaintance was hit and killed while sitting on the side of the road in a stalled car, waiting for AAA. Ever since then, I won't work or sit in any car on the traffic side of a guard rail. Even if you're riding on rim, get to the closest safe pull-off, before dealing with any failure.

Or the stupid run flats.

What's stupid about a run flat tire? Great way to save your rim if you have a tire failure on the highway, and need to limp it to the next exit.

 

[RammerJammer]

A family friend was killed while changing a tire on the side of an interstate many years ago. The story I remember was that he was down on his haunches while mounting the spare, when the combination of wind shear followed by suction created by a semi passing very close to him at 70 mph pulled him under the semi trailer. He was likely precariously balanced, as many of us may be when lifting a spare onto a hub, and the rush of air of the passing truck was just enough to disturb his balance. In any case, the rear trucks of the semi trailer rolled over him, total road pizza scenario.

Another acquaintance was hit and killed while sitting on the side of the road in a stalled car, waiting for AAA. Ever since then, I won't work or sit in any car on the traffic side of a guard rail. Even if you're riding on rim, get to the closest safe pull-off, before dealing with any failure.


What's stupid about a run flat tire? Great way to save your rim if you have a tire failure on the highway, and need to limp it to the next exit.

Speaking of stopping on such roads/shoulders:

Given the number of videos we see of police officers and motorists being hit, by all sorts of vehicles, while stopped on the side of the road, why do people stop there? And, why don't police agencies get together to make it standard operating procedure to go to the next exit, or pull-off, during traffic stops?

Many roads have signs: "No Stopping Except for Emergencies"

A traffic stop ain't an emergency!!

I've heard enough scanner traffic to know that some officers get annoyed when a driver doesn't pull-over immediately. Being annoyed generally means you're still alive. And, I will remind them of same if I ever get the opportunity.

 

[bigtiller]

A traffic stop ain't an emergency!!

I've heard enough scanner traffic to know that some officers get annoyed when a driver doesn't pull-over immediately. Being annoyed generally means you're still alive. And, I will remind them of same if I ever get the opportunity.

It might be fun to ruffle his feathers but I doubt anything good will happen next. It may get a similar reaction as shouting, GUN.

 

[WinterDeere]

If I ever get pulled over on an expressway, I’d probably open the conversation with, “would you like me to proceed to the next exit or pull-off, so we can both be safely away from the traffic speeding by?”

 

[Jstpssng]

Last time it was because the 4 way he had didn't actually fit the lug nuts on his car.

That was me about 40 years ago. When I was issued the truck I checked to make sure that it had a tire iron... I didn't check to make sure that it fit. I had also gotten out of the habit of throwing my personal toolbox with the 1/2 inch sockets and breaker bar... it was just a PITA as I never used it.
We were about 70 miles into the woods when we had a flat, and waited a LONG time for someone to come along with the right sized tire iron. I drove to town that night and bought a 4-way.

I blew a tire with 16K lbs inside a dual ram 7x14 Cam dump trailer. very glad I insisted company I worked for provided a spare and used my bottle jack and tools to change. on the side if I-95 in Bangor Maine. glad it was passenger side that blew.

I had a brake caliper seize up at about mile 220North on I-95 last month... the speed limit there is 75 so most people were doing 80-90+. When the ramp truck got there I was way down into the grass as I got tired of being rocked by the traffic... I thought he might be a little POed but instead he thanked me for getting it off the road. They don't like working that close to the travel lane.

 

[JasperFrank]

I was a bit pissed off at Hyundai, for doing the no spare thingy. They wanted 450 dollars to put that in. It wasn't my call, as it was the wife buying and she made a good deal. Assembled a real tire and kit for $120.

 

[duramaxsky]

A family friend was killed while changing a tire on the side of an interstate many years ago. The story I remember was that he was down on his haunches while mounting the spare, when the combination of wind shear followed by suction created by a semi passing very close to him at 70 mph pulled him under the semi trailer. He was likely precariously balanced, as many of us may be when lifting a spare onto a hub, and the rush of air of the passing truck was just enough to disturb his balance. In any case, the rear trucks of the semi trailer rolled over him, total road pizza scenario.

Another acquaintance was hit and killed while sitting on the side of the road in a stalled car, waiting for AAA. Ever since then, I won't work or sit in any car on the traffic side of a guard rail. Even if you're riding on rim, get to the closest safe pull-off, before dealing with any failure.


What's stupid about a run flat tire? Great way to save your rim if you have a tire failure on the highway, and need to limp it to the next exit.

Harsh ride lousy traction and very noisy. They suck. I took them off both of my Vettes. A base C6 Vette will run a 1 second quicker quarter mile just from that. I can go full throttle at about 5 MPH in mine now. Used to have to be going at least 30 with the run flats. They are way too stiff.

 

[oosik]

I DEFINITELY knocked on wood - before this statement. Been driving 65 years and have NEVER had a flat tire on a vehicle I own and maintain. 1982 - we were permanently leaving Alaska. Pulling a U-Haul double axle trailer.

Got a flat. Since it was U-Haul policy - "no spare provided - just give us a call". I pulled that damn trailer with the flat - 117 miles to Haines Junction before it could be repaired. The tire - obviously - long gone. I was just glad the rim held up so well. 117 miles of gravel road did wonders for that rim.

 

[oosik]

Add to this U-Haul flat story. We were booked on the Alaska Marine Highway System. Had less than 18 hours to make it to Haines. Service station in Haines Junction had no idea about what to do with this situation. I didn't give a damn about proper tire size, etc. He just put a rim and tire on that fit and off we went. I dealt with U-Haul when we finally got to Omak.

 

[WinterDeere]

Maybe all this chatter of roadside accidents has affected my YouTube feed.