CHANGING TIRES
Turn on the tow vehicle’s hazard warning ashers.
1.
Set up ares or warning lights.
2.
Chock the opposite tire and unhitch the trailer from
3.
the tow vehicle, or eliminate tension on equalizer
bars, if applicable.
Place scissors-type or hydraulic jack on a block of
4.
wood directly under the frame, close to the tire you
intend to change.
CAUTION: When using bottle-type jacks, a metal
plate or block of wood to relieve stress against
the steel frame should be inserted between
jack and frame. DO NOT use a bumper jack.
It may damage the sidewalls or fl oorboard
of the trailer.
Raise the jack to take weight off the tire.
5.
Loosen the lug nuts.
6.
Raise the jack until the tire clears the ground.
7.
Remove the lug nuts and old tire and put the spare
8.
on the hub.
Replace and tighten the nuts.
9.
Lower the jack until the tire touches the ground.
10.
Tighten the lug nuts to a torque of 90 to 95 ft. lbs.
11.
Lower and remove the jack.
12.
Hook up equalizer bars, if applicable.
13.
14.CHECK THE TORQUE IMMEDIATELY
14.
.
Suspension & Tires
The suspension system of your new travel trailer or fth
wheel consists of tandem axles, leaf-type springs, wheels,
tires and electric brakes on each wheel. The following is
an overview of these components:
AXLES & LEAF SPRINGS
Our travel trailers and fth wheels axles are suspended
on heavy-duty, double-eye leaf springs designed to
absorb sharp jolts from the road, prevent jolts from being
transmitted to the trailer and maintain full tire contact with
the road.
Spring shackle mounts are welded to the frame of travel
trailers. Adjustable, multi-hole, plate mounts are welded
to fth wheel frames. The springs and shackle bolts are
self-lubricating. Check the shackle bolts periodically for
tightness. Do not reuse shackle bolts/nuts, if an axle must be
removed. Self-locking nuts must be replaced if removed.
TIRES
All tires meet or exceed load and wear speci cations for
trailers. Proper in ation pressure must be maintained for
safe trailer stability and maximum tire life. Load range
and maximum cold in ation pressure are stamped on
the sidewall. Always in ate the tires to this maximum
pressure.
A tire gauge should always be part of your tool kit. Check
tire pressures before starting out, when the tire is cold. Do
not bleed air out of warm tires. In ation speci cations are
for cold tires.
In ate the rear tires of the tow vehicle to the maximum cold
in ation pressure stamped on the tire sidewalls. Higher
rear tire pressure improves tow vehicle stability.
WARNING: CHECK TIRE PRESSURES OFTEN. ALWAYS
CHECK PRESSURE WHEN TIRES ARE COLD. DO NOT
EXCEED MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED PRESSURE.
WARNING: KEEP TIRES PROPERLY INFLATED. TIRES MAY
LOSE AIR SUDDENLY AND/OR CATCH FIRE, IF DRIVEN FOR
LONG DISTANCES OR AT HIGH SPEEDS WHILE SERIOUSLY
UNDER INFLATED. TIRES COULD OVERHEAT WHERE
DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, CONTENTS AND/OR PERSONAL
INJURY MAY OCCUR.
SPARE TIRE & COVER
Note that a spare tire and/or spare tire cover are not
standard on all models. To help extend the life and look
of your spare tire cover, cover the spare tire with a heavy
duty garbage bag before putting on the spare tire cover.
This will help keep the spare tire from bleeding through
the spare tire cover.
9
Tips on Wheel Torquing
Always use a quality, calibrated ratchet-style torque wrench
to torque a wheel. Torque each lug nut to the speci ed
torque.
Allow the wheels to cool to room temperature before
•
loosening or tightening the lug nuts.
Tighten the lug nuts in the proper sequence. Tightening
•
in a random pattern can cause warping.
Properly support the tire and wheel assembly when
•
torquing.
Use the correct size socket otherwise damage can occur
•
to the lug nuts.
While tightening the lug nuts carefully rock the wheel
•
to make sure each lug nut is centered properly.
Always nal torque all of the wheels before completely
•
lowering the vehicle.
Do Not try to get the full torque at one time. Work
•
gradually up to the nal torque to avoid warping or
cracking.
The National Traf c Safety Administration (NHTSA) has
published a brochure (DOT HS 809 361) that discusses
all aspects of Tire Safety, as required by CFR 575.6. This
brochure is reproduced in part below. It can be obtained
and downloaded from NHTSA, free of charge, from the
following web site:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/
TireSafety/ridesonit/tires_index.html
