By Gail Marsh
A late arrival to the campfire explained that this RVer didn’t intend to pull into the campground after nine in the evening. He arrived late because he had a flat tire on his travel trailer. After waiting three hours for road assistance to show up, he finally changed the tire himself. I wondered what other RVers would do in this situation, so I posed the question to everyone else sitting around the fire: If your RV got a flat tire while traveling, would you try changing it yourself or would you call roadside assistance?
Motorhome has no spare tire
George smirked: “It’d be difficult for me to change my diesel pusher’s tire because I don’t have a spare! And even if I did, that tire’d be too heavy for me to maneuver anyway.” He explained that a tire for his rig weighed more than 100 pounds. Never having owned a motorhome, I had no idea that some didn’t carry a spare. It makes sense.
Fifth wheel worries
Marla owns a fifth wheel RV and has changed a flat two different times during her travels. “Mine is one of the smallest fifth wheels you can buy, and I wanted it for this very reason. If I couldn’t service it myself, I wouldn’t have purchased it in the first place.” This means Marla needs to take along all of the necessary tools, a jack, and, of course, the spare tire. “Everything’s with me all the time since I’m full-time on the road,” she explained.
Tim, on the other hand, has a very large fifth wheel toy hauler. “Change a flat tire on that behemoth?! No way!”
Travel trailer trouble
“Change my own flat? Well, that’d depend on several factors: the terrain, width of the shoulder, time of day/night, and more,” Troy responded.
Our late-comer lamented, “Our owner’s manual said: ‘Do not attempt to change a flat tire on your RV. Should one occur, call a road hazard company.’” Several folks felt this was simply “lawyer-speak,” to protect the manufacturer should someone get injured while changing a flat.
Tips for changing an RV flat tire
With so many different RV configurations, it’s impossible to provide universal directions for changing an RV tire. If you want detailed information for your particular rig, you should consult your owner’s manual. That said, there are general safety tips that apply to all RVers:
- Flashers and reduce speed. When your tire pressure monitoring system indicates a problem, or when you suspect tire trouble, put on your emergency flashers and slow down. Note: If you don’t have a TPMS, seriously consider purchasing one. For us, it’s a necessary safety feature.
- Stop away from traffic. If possible, move to a safe place, well off the highway. Do not drive on a flat tire. Not only can it potentially ruin the tire, but it may also damage the wheel.
- Caution cones. Set up your safety cones, triangles, or flares to alert other drivers. (Keep these in your RV at all times.)
- Call for assistance. If there is significant, high-speed traffic on the roadway, reduced visibility, soft shoulders, or any other hindrance that makes you feel uncomfortable about changing your own tire, call roadside assistance.
Note: When our truck got a flat tire, we contacted the Missouri Highway Patrol. We were traveling on a very busy, high-speed interstate highway. The shoulder was not wide enough for us to pull completely off the road and the flat tire was (of course) on the highway side of the truck. We explained our situation to the patrol’s contact person, and she sent an officer out. He positioned his car so that traffic had to move over, giving us enough space to successfully change the tire.
Have you ever changed a flat tire on your RV? Tell us about it in the comments below.
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##RVT1177
I changed a flat tire on a Class C on the side of the road in South Africa, after hitting a bad pot hole that bent the rim.
No I’ve never changed the tire on our 5th wheel. Always used our roadside assistance. CoachNet. Didn’t feel comfortable trying to manhandle the project.
I have always changed my own flat tires. the one time I decided to call AAA for help they couldn’t even figure out where we were, (we were in WV and they kept saying we were in Kansas where we live) it is easier to just be prepared and DIY. Safety triangles and hi visibility vests are a must, not that that guarantees a trucker won’t run over your triangle and almost hit you….
Current Class C has no spare or tire service tools. Previous Class C (same manufacturer and model) was fully equipped. Thinking of carrying spare and real jack in bed of towd.
I believe that I’m aging out of tire changing years.
If you have a spare, check it’s date and air pressure.
I have changed a flat on a smaller TT. The holes in the tire suggested I picked up a muffler clamp U-bolt. Not that I liked doing it, I had all the tools. Better, the air lasted long enough to pull into the parking lot of a mid-size commercial manufacturing shop between shift changes. I was out of traffic for the task.
I’ve changed many flats but I won’t do it in a dangerous circumstance. My last flat on a trailer I drove about four miles at low speed to get off the highway. I ultimately discovered doing so bent an axle. Two destroyed tires and one axle later I would do the same thing again. I will not put my family at risk.
Class A, I carry a spare tire (no rim) under the back of the rig. For a couple of reasons. #1, it’s the same tire and size as the six on there.#2, won’t have to pay the inflated price roadside assistance charges for sometimes tire of their choice. And #3, after a blowout on 95 and sitting on the side of the road until after midnight waiting for roadside to show up I have the tools to change it myself but that would be a last resort, cause da*n they’re heavy when assembled. Wish there was room to have tire mounted on rim, would be much easier.
We’ve changed 2 tires on our 5’ver in the last 5 years. The first time, the whole center thread section of the tire came off. No TPMS warning. While changing the tire, I realized I needed more equipment to change the tire. We were able to successfully change the tire but we purchased all the equipment that we didn’t have in case we had another tire issue while traveling. Sure enough, a year later the TPMS alerted us to an air leak in a tire. Valve stem air leak. By the time we could get the truck and trailer to a safe spot, the air pressure had dropped from 80 PSI to 32 PSI. The TPMS saved that tire! With all the correct equipment, we changed the tire and were back on the road in 1 hour.
For towables, why can’t you change a flat, unless you are dumb enough to travel w/out a spare. Had a blowout occur on our TT coming home on 15 S in Cali. Pulled as far away on the shoulder as possible and changed the flat. I always check tire pressure on TT before each trip including spare and carry all necessary tools to change a flat. I also relocated the spare which was stored in compartment below bed inside TT to back of truck bed for easier access. MHs, you need and should have roadside assistance, nothing else need to be said, lol!
I’ve changed a tire on our TT twice – automotive sized tires, but wouldn’t attempt it on my Ford F450.
I changed a tire about 25 years ago, and that’s when I found out my four-way lug wrench only fit the truck, and not the trailer. Since then I carry two four-ways!
I see no reason to fear changing a tire on either the tow vehicle or the towable unless you don’t understand the process or can’t manage the weight. If it’s just not sure, practice in a parking lot under supervision just like you did when learning to tow.
With a Class A that has no spare and lug nut torque that needs a 3/4 drive, it’s a different story. The tires are friggin’ heavy and often need a grease sheet to slide onto the hub. I’d do it but my heavy lifting days are better served behind me…
I have CAA, with AAA reciprocity service so no desire to do it myself unless the service call would be a excessively long wait time.
As we all know, RV’s are a constant source of issues, big and small. If you’re not somewhat handy, those issues will always be big. If you depend on someone else to bail you out, those issues will be HUGE! If physically possible, learn to do the basics, as changing a tire is just that. I know, on the large vehicles that can be a problem and you’re forced to depend on others. But, on the towables, it’s a must that you can perform the basics or be ready for disappointment. Yes, I speak from experience. Had a flat on the interstate, and other than a slight delay, we got there safely, as we were prepared.
Class B driver. Of course I would in a dire emergency. We carry a spare. First option is to call our Roadside Assistance company. If they can’t help us, you bet I can change the tire.
One more reason to take the roads less traveled (never far from a driveway, or some other safe pull off). That said; I carry roadside assistance, a spare, and the tools to change a tire should I need to. I’m overly cautious regarding my tires and brakes, routinely checking and servicing them proactively. Our lives, and the lives of our family and others depends on them.
An additional suggestion would be to carry a sturdy plastic open-end pipe about 10-12 inches long with you. Trying to break 125+ pounds of tork on the lug nuts can be very difficult. Placing the pipe over the end of lug wrench to extend the length gives you a lot more leverage and I’ve found makes breaking the lug nut free very easy.
We have an older class-a that came with a spare tire. Have 10-ton bottle jack. A 12” long double ended truck wrench with the hex hole. Combined with a 36” hex bar the lugs will come off. We also have a monster torque wrench.
Can’t say changing a tire on the road is easy, but changing the tire myself (with the wife) is faster than waiting hours for a service truck on the roadside.
I have changed my 5ver tires 3 times and let a pro change the 4th one. Sadly, all 4 were on the same trip and within 500 total miles. (I had a chat with Roger Marble about that mess.)
And yes, I would change my own again.
I think we’ve changed flat tires 4 or 5 times over the years. We had a blowout that busted the water tank that was probably the most difficult because it was on a very busy 2 lane highway with no shoulder and we had 2 dogs and 2 toddlers to deal with as well. Other times we’ve been able to pull into a parking lot but the last time was on I -10 in southern Arizona. We were off the road a fair amount but DPS felt compelled to sit behind us with their lights on while we changed it.
Thank you, Gail! 🙂 As George noted, our tires weigh 100 pounds, or more, unmounted. We also carry no spare tire normally. We did buy a gently used unmounted tire of the proper size and lash it to the roof of our towed vehicle when we went to Alaska. We plan to do the same when we take #2 there. RV #1 typically weighed 38,000 pounds and RV #2, which has larger tires than #1, typically weighs 37,000 pounds. So, jacking up the rig presents a problem. We have never needed a tire change, but would call roadside assistance if we did. Have a great week and safe travels! 🙂
Had two flat tires on one trip – actually the tread started to delaminate. They were those Firestones that had problems some time back. No problem changing them myself. Today, still a class B van, but age has sapped my tire changing strength. I’d be a lug nut shy of complete removal.
We have a 34′ 5th wheel that weighs over 18K lbs & we’ve had 2 blowouts in our 200K miles of travel. We have automatic levelling on the unit, so it was pretty easy to raise one side & change the tire ourselves. But when we had a blowout of the right front tire on the tow vehicle, a Ford F450, on an expressway in the middle of a curve in Dallas, TX, & ended up next to a guardrail, we decided to call for help.
I would change a flat myself. I carry necessary equipment and spare parts to be able to rebuild an axle or change a leaf spring on the side of the road myself. That includes new shackles, full set of new wet bolts with bushings, bearings sets, seals, grease gun, and all necessary jacks and power tools to do the work. I wouldn’t expect to get road assistance from an RV Mobile tech or Good Sam or other agency for at least 6 to eight hours and then wouldn’t expect them to have spare parts I would need. Thus, I carry my own tools and parts to address MOST contingencies. My 5th wheel is 42 feet and 17,000 lbs.
I have a 34 foot 5th wheel had a flat on the freeway on the traffic side. phoned for road assistance. after almost a 2 hour wait the tow truck did not have a jack large enough to lift the trailer. Will just take care of it myself in the future.
I bought an 8 ton bottle jack and some rubber pads to align it with the axles. Because the last time we had a flat and got service it took about 3 hours total. First guy got there pretty quick, but his jack wouldn’t lift that rear corner. Total gross weight is about 13K so an 8 ton should lift one corner easily. Anyway, on our last trip we had a flat (an hour after we started out) on our motorcycle trailer. I was able to lift it, change it with the spare that came with the trailer, and we were on our way, an hour max.
When I get to the age where I feel I can’t change a dang tire on a TT, I’m gonna hang it up.
I have changed a couple of tires on the road with my fifth wheel. In one case, we had to drive slowly on the shoulder of the highway to get to a safe location to change the tire. I carry a small compressor, impact wrench, torque wrench, jack, etc. to make the job easier. I now have a class A which does have a spare tire. While I have roadside assistance, I would change it myself if necessary.
No, I would no longer change an RV tire myself. I have road service for that and the tires on my Class-A need professional tools and handling (heavy). I removed the spare tire and now use that compartment for additional storage. The tires on my tug, however, are a different story … I would change them myself, unless the location was dangerous.
When I bought my travel trailer I stocked the tools for what might need doing. The bottle jack says it is not to be used for raising a trailer, despite being recommended by readers. I took the tires off, put them back on and re-torqued the lug nuts. I carry an air pump to keep my tires at optimum inflation (as well as a NOCO battery charger), and have all the safety equipment such as triangles lights and reflective vest. I would opt to change my own tire unless there was a reason not to.