Trailer-Aid "Plus" Tandem Tire Changing Ramp

We have been considering one of these, I would love to hear from someone who has actually used one.

I've not had to change a flat on the road either, but I've learned that it is difficult to get a jack under the Lance at the jack pads. Not something I'd like to do on the road. 

Gary - PAU HANA - carries two of these in his truck.  He has a well documented long trip on this forum with significant tire problems.  After talking to Gary at Shingletown, I decided this was a must have for us. Found it on Amazon for about $54.00 and no shipping on Prime. Comes in a nice, very useful box that I'm going to use for travel. 

I have used the Trailer Aid but not to change a flat tire.  It is easy to position and drive the trailer onto but takes a little finesse without a spotter.  Everyone should have a Trailer Air or something similar for emergencies.

From experience; Changing flats, and replacing 2 tires on the same axle (using 2 Trailer Aids). Easy Peasy..no trying to get a jack under your TT.
As of now I can't think of a reason to use a jack to ever change tires.

EDIT: No finesse required without a spotter. Just look at your rear view mirror or just "feel" the trailer, which I do...

I've had one of these on the trailer for years and finally had to put it to use this past summer. We had a blow out on hwy 84 and had to pull over on the side of the freeway. The shoulder was sloped at a pretty good angle and the semis whizzing by at 80 mph shook the trailer every time they passed by. If all I had to depend on was some sort of bottle jack, I'm pretty sure it would have become dislodged when one of those trucks whizzed by.

The Trailer Aid is an invaluable tool for emergencies.

Here's the thread I started describing our mishap.

https://community.lanceowners.org/topic/tpms-saved-the-day

Here's an image of a tight wadd trailer aid for way under the $47.00 Amazon wants. When it deteriorates, it will make good kindling rather than land fill,   I like it a lot.

pau hana posted:

From experience; Changing flats, and replacing 2 tires on the same axle (using 2 Trailer Aids). Easy Peasy..no trying to get a jack under your TT.
As of now I can't think of a reason to use a jack to ever change tires.

EDIT: No finesse required without a spotter. Just look at your rear view mirror or just "feel" the trailer, which I do...

I know our axles are pretty close together.. Does it matter which one we get? the regular Trailer-Aid or the Plus? I  just want to make sure there is no interference..

Joe

If I were rich or at least not such a tight wadd I would buy the Plus, I believe it gives an extra inch of lift.

  Bought the plus for our fifthwheel, but we bought the truck camper right after. So I gave the plus to my nephew, he took his family across country to Alabama to visit other family members. His tires must have been old because he had numerous blowouts. He replaced all his tires, but he called me and thanked me for the plus, it worked great changing tires on his fifthwheel, while on the side of the freeway.

  If I had a trailer with tandem axles, I would not leave home without it! Here I'll put my name on this one, Garnet! I think it is a great product!

PoconoJoe posted:

pau hana posted:

From experience; Changing flats, and replacing 2 tires on the same axle (using 2 Trailer Aids). Easy Peasy..no trying to get a jack under your TT.
As of now I can't think of a reason to use a jack to ever change tires.

EDIT: No finesse required without a spotter. Just look at your rear view mirror or just "feel" the trailer, which I do...

I know our axles are pretty close together.. Does it matter which one we get? the regular Trailer-Aid or the Plus? I  just want to make sure there is no interference..

Joe

Doesn't matter which one. They're both the same length, the plus is 1" higher.
Either one will work as I have used both, which I have.

Geez another goodie for the Amazon wish list. It just keeps growing! I had no idea there is so much stuff I need. But everything on it even down to the smallest gadget makes total sense.

The great part is I'm already having fun! And it hasn't even started for real yet?

That is cool!! I’m git’in one!!

Just bought one. 

Wish I had seen this info BEFORE my recent blowouts. 

Time to be looking at the Forum more often


Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message --------From: Lance Owners of America <alerts@hoop.la> Date: 11/29/17 11:05 PM (GMT-08:00) To: pau hana <gkkimura@att.net> Subject: Reply By Big Mac: Trailer-Aid "Plus" Tandem Tire Changing Ramp

PoconoJoe posted:

pau hana posted:

From experience; Changing flats, and replacing 2 tires on the same axle (using 2 Trailer Aids). Easy Peasy..no trying to get a jack under your TT.
As of now I can't think of a reason to use a jack to ever change tires.

EDIT: No finesse required without a spotter. Just look at your rear view mirror or just "feel" the trailer, which I do...

I know our axles are pretty close together.. Does it matter which one we get? the regular Trailer-Aid or the Plus? I  just want to make sure there is no interference..

Joe

The length doesn't interfere with the other axle if you place it so that you drive forward onto it if you want the front wheel on it (rear tire flat), and place it to drive backwards onto it if you want the rear wheel on it (front tire flat).  

Perhaps I'm missing something since I haven't yet experienced a trailer flat, but for those of us who carry a set or two of lynx levelers, wouldn't those serve the same purpose of lifting the trailer in order to change a flat? I realize they may not be quite as easy to use as a trailer aid, but do I really have to purchase (and carry) a separate lift just for flats?

Brubie posted:

Perhaps I'm missing something since I haven't yet experienced a trailer flat, but for those of us who carry a set or two of lynx levelers, wouldn't those serve the same purpose of lifting the trailer in order to change a flat? I realize they may not be quite as easy to use as a trailer aid, but do I really have to purchase (and carry) a separate lift just for flats?

I was thinking the same thing when I first saw a trailer aid. But I think the  concave rise is designed to give room for the other tire. Using the blocks creates a square/straight rise and the other tire might touch, especially as close as our tires ride on our Lances. I have to use 4 blocks high to level my trailer in my driveway, and when I back on them, the front tire drops down and touches the blocks, as the back tire is rising because of the independent suspension. But then maybe if you made the blocks short and steep they would work. But they might slide on the pavement also. The trailer aid has a base that grips the pavement.

I think either the home-made ramp of planks or the plastic blocks will work.  My take on it is that if the trailer was disconnected from the TV, the dip serves as a wheel chock so the trailer won't roll.  

I think I’ll get one of these for my single axle trailer!  

They work well. I have used mine to replace brakes,bearings ect. on my 34' gooseneck trailer. Luckily have not had to use it on the road yet!

Update: Should have never said that I have not used on the road yet!

Changed a flat tire on my gooseneck trailer in 102 Degree Heat last summer just 40 miles into a 2200 mile trip. Trailer scaled at 14K on double axle trailer and trailer aid worked flawlessly.!!

I used mine to help a young man with a flat tire on his dual axel camper.  I noticed him stopped for over an hour.  I walked over and offered to help.  I had him back on his way in 20 minutes.  Works awesome.  I am looking forward to greasing with this.

I have the regular Trailer Aid. I also use a 1/2 inch Baltic Birch plywood doohickey I fabricated so it won't sink into my decomposed granite (gravel) parking pad. The Trailer Aid works for tire changes, brake work and greasing bearings.

DIY wooden ramps work but are heavy if you plan to carry it in your rig. The Trailer Aid is light weight and can be carried anywhere, even in your slideout.

What, you don't know what Baltic Birch is? It's plywood made with no voids between the layers of wood. I used it for cabinet making and had some scraps left over. Don't go out and buy it if you don't have it. Expensive.

I might go back to a single axle trailer in the future. In that case the Trailer Aid won't work for tire changes. Does anyone have a recommendation for that situation?

I had TPMS sensors installed in my 2285 and not wanting to try and get the trailer into the shops small lot from a busy road I pulled off tires and drove them down, yeah took 2 trips.

Anyway, I used the lego plastic leveling blocks to build the ramp to get the tireoff the ground, worked fine vs spending another $49 for the Trailer Aide. Less money spent and less to carry when on the road. The lego blocks always go where the trailer goes. Being a dual axle I carry 2 sets because when I level the trailer I build for both tires, not just one.

I have used this a few times, very, very easy to lift tandem axle for tire change

I just used my "Trailer Aid" to grease my axles on my 2285.  Worked perfectly.  I like the dip to hold the lifting tire in place.  Safety is a primary concern for me and this seems to fit the bill.  It is light weight and stores easily in the closet in our 2285.  So much easier and safer than a jack.

Well, thanks to Havabrew22 I purchased this for our Lance. 400 miles into our first trip with our new Lance we picked up a nail and as we were pulling into our site watched the tire go completely flat. This ramp along with my 12v impact made the tire change a ten minute job. Sadly the Goodyear Endurance Tire was kaput from a 1 inch finishing nail that entered too close to the tread crown to be repaired. This is an easy peasy tool that has a permanent spot on the Lance. I had considered booting the inpact  because it’s like 15lbs. It’s spot is secure for now too!

Decided to get myself one of these and after an extensive google search the best deal I found was West Marine online.  They have them on clearance for $26.66 + $9.95 shipping unless you meet their free shipping threshold. 

Good Luck all.

Bill

Just ordered a “Trailer Aid Plus” for our 2075. As mentioned earlier, safety was a top priority for me as well. Glad I did a search on the forum.

My Trailer Aide developed a crack at one of the lag bolts. I called Camco and sent a pic of the crack. Without hesitation they sent me a new one. Good product...Great customer service

I have had the original one for years and had to use it once! That one time it was a life saver changing a tire on my fully loaded 36ft gooseneck trailer along the side of the road in Texas 105 degree heat heading towards Amarillo! If you don't have one get one!!

@GRUMPA posted:

Here's an image of a tight wadd trailer aid for way under the $47.00 Amazon wants. When it deteriorates, it will make good kindling rather than land fill,   I like it a lot.

@Grumpa, did you use 2x6 lumber for your "trailer aid?" I have used 2x8 stock to make leveling ramps for two friends. They work great.