Do I need a jack in the MH

[jolly]

Do I need a jack in the MH as we have not got one in ours and if so what sort and where from. Thanking you all in anticipation as we are taking it out for a first run either Saturday or Sunday

 

[Catpirate]

Hi if you use an axle stand then you can use your jack to help remove/replace your tyre. Can be fiddly, I just use brute strength......

 

[Rosemary1]

That is putting me off going on a motorway unless we have breakdown cover now. We will not be going far at all this weekend now lol

Sod’s law - the first, yes the first time we went out in our new to us old motorhome it got a flat! Luckily it was nearly opposite a country garage and we dragged ourselves there. Never had another one! After a couple of years hubby relaxed and we got breakdown cover and tyre foam instead.

 

[Spriddler]

Do you mean a 'Bottle ' jack Ian?
Also am I the only one that will carry an axle stand to put under the chassis while working on the wheel? Am I over cautious?

I wouldn't use a scissor or a bottle jack unless in a quiet spot and on very firm ground.
With the way my m/h rocks when a large vehicle passes close 'ish and fast (e.g. parked at the roadside) it could well topple a jack over.
On my first day as an apprentice mechanic I was instructed to never, ever, work on a vehicle without using axle stands.

 

[jolly]

Again thank you for your tips

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[fesuvious]

Small update to previous advice.

The fairly cheap torque multipliers come with an extension bar. You'd need it for the rears if you've got twin rear wheels. BUT,

Often while the cheap torque multipliers are ok the extension bars are cheap and hollow. They will twist and break VERY easily.

I bought a Draper 1" - 12" long - extension. It's was expensive but absolutely worth it.

I've used the torque multiplier kit to undo wheel nuts on 18T HGV's at work........with barely more effort than wiping polish off a bonnet

 

[jolly]

I will mention that to hubby. We won’t be travelling far this year but may venture a little bit further next year. Thank you

 

[slowcoach65]

So for what it's worth! I have considered the issue of spare wheel, spare tyre or gunge&pump and decided to simply take the latter and rely on the fact that I can always call for a national tyre breakdown service to come and replace it. I find it hard to believe I will be somewhere so remote that they can't come or that they won't be able to provide a commercial tyre that will do for the trip. It might cost a few quid but over my 3 decades of driving I have only had 2 punctures - both on the driveway! Worst case scenario - I get my breakdown cover to haul me off the motorway and I sleep in the MH until someone gets to me!

 

[fesuvious]

ianp and Catpirate

An old skool crowbar can lever a wheel 2-3" inches off the floor. Enough to use right hand to lever and left to steady/put onto the stud.

Thee trick is only jacking it up just enough

 

[slowcoach65]

ianp and Catpirate

An old skool crowbar can lever a wheel 2-3" inches off the floor. Enough to use right hand to lever and left to steady/put onto the stud.

Thee trick is only jacking it up just enough

I have no idea what this means

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[ianp]

ianp and Catpirate

An old skool crowbar can lever a wheel 2-3" inches off the floor. Enough to use right hand to lever and left to steady/put onto the stud.

Thee trick is only jacking it up just enough

Yeah, I,m not too bothered about putting the wheel on and off the hub....the unknown so far for me is taking it out and then back in to the spare carrying frame as its at arms length under the back of the MH.......and dragging it out after its dropped should be ok ...but sliding it back and then lifting it into place will I think be a struggle...will have to have a go and see!

 

[Catpirate]

I had a slow puncture a couple of weeks ago, was a nail near the sidewall. Not repairable but the tyre repair people did not have my tyre in stock got home by regularly checking pressure and inflating as necessary. I carry a spare but decided the 100 miles I needed to go was better than trying to change the wheel. Could have rung the RAC but got home and had the tyre changed.

 

[TheBig1]

as others have mentioned, the OEM scissor jack is totally useless for most motorhomes. I recommend an over specified bottle jack, like this 8 tonne one from screwfix for £30
<Broken link removed>

 

[cyberyacht]

I've got a 2 ton bottle jack but even with that after a trial run on the drive, I've decided the "Mayday" man can struggle with it particularly, having got it up in the air, I couldn't get the wheel off anyway. My torque extender is an 18" deck stanchion from a yacht. Slides neatly over my toque wrench.

 

[jolly]

Think we will stick to breakdown but thank you

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Folkranger]

Have you considered having your Motorhome tyres filled with the anti puncture liquid, which in effect will reseal a small puncture if it occurs within the tread pattern area.
However, for a sidewall puncture or blowout, a spare is essential as the liquid is not able or suitable for that type of repair ( a blow out would be a shredded tyre, but a small sidewall puncture or cut might be slowed down by the liquid to allow you to limp to a suitable place for a more permanent repair or replacement.
I have this liquid in all 4 of my tyres, fitted when I put new tyres on, but still carry a spare and a jack, but should I need to actually change the wheel, unless It was at home on my level drive and using a 5 tonne trolley jack, for me it would be a call to the Breakdown service for assistance every time.
Just my take on things but have a look at the liquid system, usually costs around £140 fitted for all 4 tyres and the companies offering the service will come to you to do it.
Got mine done at the last Lincoln Motorhome show on site.

Just make sure your tyres aren't near in need of replacing first. Shame to waste it.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Just make sure your tyres aren't near in need of replacing first. Shame to waste it.

That’s why I had it fitted on a set of 5 brand spanking new tyres!
Got to get my monies worth!

 

[HugoBNB]

Just put a spare wheel, 3t bottle jack and a wheel wrench in the MH. First trip on to the continent next week and I really didn't fancy being stranded somewhere. MH has alloys on it but I went for a Steel spare with a matching tyre. My reasoning is that I can get the tyres swapped somewhere after changing rather than be held to ransom by some small garage charging a fortune or, us waiting days until the correct tyre is sourced. Just my logic anyway.
Safe, puncture free travels all.

 

[Catpirate]

Hi BnB good reasoning, my tyres are less than a year old but I had an irreapirable puncture. Just bad luck. I did on a previous trip in France had to buy a tyre and found it cheaper than the UK. Always best to be prepared though.

 

[jollyrodger]

Have a puncture on any frence A road find your breakdown won't cover you.

You'll wish you had a jack .
I now carry a 2t jack a glad I did .

Last van was a B574 and lifted no problems to change a wheel

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lenny HB]

Have a puncture on any frence A road find your breakdown won't cover you.

Yes it does, you have to pay for the official recovery then claim it back from your breakdown insurance as private recovery companies are not allowed to operate on Autoroutes.

 

[jollyrodger]

Yes it does, you have to pay for the official recovery then claim it back from your breakdown insurance as private recovery companies are not allowed to operate on Autoroutes.

As I thought till I tried to reclaim and was pointed to the small print
No refund asked the question with AA,RAC .
No refund .
Some maybe have a deal with French operators dunno
AA

 

[jolly]

We won’t be going abroad at all as have not been vaccinated due to allergies which is a shame. Will be just staying in the uk. Have not been abroad for over 30 years. Thank you all for your tips

 

[tonyidle]

Yeah, I,m not too bothered about putting the wheel on and off the hub....the unknown so far for me is taking it out and then back in to the spare carrying frame as its at arms length under the back of the MH.......and dragging it out after its dropped should be ok ...but sliding it back and then lifting it into place will I think be a struggle...will have to have a go and see!

The really easy way to refit is to lower the vehicle to line up the studs. Much simpler than lifting the wheel.

 

[Catpirate]

Do not understand the last post.......