Changing Tyres

Apr 20, 2006
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The recent service on my 2000 Avondale Osprey has shown that I need new tyres in the near future. The service was done by a 'mobile' servicer, so he couldn't change them.

How do people get caravan tyres changed? Do I just take the van to the nearest ATS (there's no way I could get the wheels off to take them). Is there a tyre firm that does mobile work?

All advice gratefully received, thanks.

Andrea

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Dec 16, 2003
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ATS offer mobile tyre fitting to private motorists.

Dare I ask what you would if you had a flat tyre and needed to change a wheel, there are tools and jacks that will enable all motorists to jack up and remove wheels.
 
May 3, 2006
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Andrea

Towsure do a really good bottle/scissor jack especialy for caravans it's called a "Kojack Caravan Jack & Levelling Aid

KJ20"

Have a look it makes changing a wheel fairly easy.
 
Apr 20, 2006
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Thanks, I'll get hold of ATS.

In repsonse to comments about jacks etc to change wheels in emergencies: I could jack up the van, but then I'd have to stop because I'm not built like a navvy, and I can't loosen wheel nuts that have been tightened by one of those compressed air thingies!!

God made me blonde for a reason - there are all sorts of things that I can do, but I don't!!!
 
G

Guest

If your wheel nuts have been done up by a 'navvie' then something is wrong. The normal torque is 65lb/ft which an extendable wheelbrace should move fairly easily. If you still have doubts about your abilities in this area then Mayday or the equivalent will help if called.

I am sorry, but what does hair colour have to do with it? I suspect Ms Greer would have something to say about that.
 
Nov 7, 2005
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Andrea, my local tyre firm was happy to quote me a reasonable price for two new tyres and charged me a tenner extra to come to my home and fit them. While you're at it, use your blondie feminine charms to remind the fitter to torque the nuts up correctly - have the figure ready from the handbook and make sure he uses a torque wrench thingey!!
 
Aug 8, 2005
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Andrea - you will need to check them [ your wheel nuts ] very frequently for the first outing - before you go , after about 100 miles and then the same again .

Yes , even though they have been set up using a torque wrench.

We always have one in the toolkit - and ours are done at least 4 times after Servicing.

Maybe we are fussy - but they do need doing - I'm surprised as I hear the wrench clicking when they are done
 
Nov 26, 2006
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Unfortunately most of the big chain tyre places just do the wheel nuts up as tight as can be done with the air spanner - no attempt to consider torque. 100lb/ft would not be unusual, and very difficult to undo.

I was once on a camping trip to Scotland in a Renault estate and had a flat.

Couldn't undo the nuts with a socket set.

Still couldn't undo with a torque wrench.

put the end of the wrench on a pile of bricks and lowered the jack. Full weight of the loaded car still would not undo.

The RAC man had a special lever anout 4ft long, and that had some difficulty!

I now have my tyres done at a local place that always uses correct torque, and does them up in stages in correct sequence, so I know I can always get them undone.
 
Mar 14, 2005
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Hello Oldfogey

I am not sure when it happened , but I believe it is now obligatory for the garage or fitter to use a torque wrench to tighten wheel nuts and studs.

If you come across any tyre fitting company that do not use a torque wrench of an air gun with torque limiter, then you should question the manager, or report them to trading standards.
 
Nov 4, 2006
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Hi Andrea

I needed new tyres and have Tyron Bands fitted. I went to my local Tyron tyre fitting agent and drove into their unit complete with van in tow with no bother.

If you look at www.gaslow.co.uk/tyron/pages/dealers.htm you will find a list of tyre fitting companies who should be able to accommodate your car with van in tow.
 
Mar 13, 2007
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when a tyre is fitted to a trailer (any trailer) it should have them yellow thingys put on the ones shaped like a teardrop that point to the centre of the wheel after tighting up then all you have to do periodicaly is take off the wheel trim look to see if all the yellow things point to the centre if they do none of the nuts has come loose
 
Mar 28, 2005
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If you're having trouble removing the wheel bolts put the wrench on the bolts so it is as horizontal as you can get it and stand on it and jump on it, never fails
 
Mar 14, 2005
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Andrea

If you van has recently been serviced, the wheels should be torqued up correctly. If not, I would have a serious word with the servicer
 
Mar 14, 2005
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If you're having trouble removing the wheel bolts put the wrench on the bolts so it is as horizontal as you can get it and stand on it and jump on it, never fails
Roy

Yes your method will fail if the socket or wrench is of poor quality. I always use a single hexagon (6 sided) socket.
 
Nov 26, 2006
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John L, I think you are probably right about torque limiters on the garage air guns - but I think you will also find that far too many of them just crank it up to max and use that for all cases.

Personally I don't use them as I have a small local dealer that can always beat the chains by 10%, because he has one small unit, but turns round twice as many tyres as the local big boys.

Nowadays, if I have work done elswhere, I make sure I can undo the nuts, so that I am never left stranded again for such a simple thing.
 

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