|
|
Discussion on Trailer Aid
|
| Author |
Message |
Member:
canter
|
Posted on Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 - 8:08 am:
For Christmas, Santa brought me something called "Trailer Aid". It's designed to be used to change a flat tire on any trailer. Basically, instead of using a jack, you drive the good tire onto it, which then lifts the flat for easy changing. It says it's more stable than using a jack. My husband says that now, if we experience a flat, the horse doesn't need to be removed from the trailer to change the flat.
Looking at it, it makes sense that it would be more stable. However, I didn't see where the company actually says the horse can remain in the trailer. (I did find a reco from a British magazine that endorses using it w/ the horse still in the trailer)
So...anyone ever have to use one of these things? Did it work as advertised? Sure would be nice not to have to worry about loading / unloading a horse at the edge of a busy highway. My husband hauls for me, and I think it is his absolute greatest fear...I think he actually bought the Trailer Aid for himself!
www.TrailerAid.com
|
Member:
stevens
|
Posted on Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 - 1:32 pm:
I've had to use my trailer-aid once. I would not use it with the horses loaded however. Even though it is very stable, you are still raising that side of the trailer significantly and I can't help but think that it would be very uncomfortable for the horses loaded inside.
It worked great and I now have a new personal best time in changing a tire thanks to this device.
|
Member:
juliem
|
Posted on Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 - 1:34 pm:
Fran, I think if you have a trailer with dual axles, (four wheels) you can leave the horse in the trailer. Sometimes the location of the flat makes it unsafe to unload the horse, like a freeway or busy highway. Be sure your husband loosens the lug nuts on the flat before driving the trailer onto the trailer aid. It lifts the flat tire off the ground a bit and then the wheel will freely turn making it impossible to loosen the lug nuts. Mine is a heavier metal variety with both ends sloped, so may be a bit more stable--it's probably at least a foot or more longer than the trailer aid variety. I think mine is called and easy jack or something like that.
|
Member:
canter
|
Posted on Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 - 2:46 pm:
Chris & Julie,
Thanks for the feedback. The trailer is a dual axle...I think. It does have the 2 wheels next to each other on each side. I'm obviously not a mechanical whiz!
I can see where the horse would be tipped slightly when changing a tire using this thing. I guess as with all things, it will still be a judgement call as to whether or not it's safe to unload my horse prior to use and I'll just keep my fingers crossed that we'll never need it. That said, it's good to know that you've both used one, or something similar, and like it.
Thank you!
|
Member:
warwick
|
Posted on Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 - 6:13 pm:
Fran, I've had one for many years and have used it a couple of times. It was purely coincidence that the trailer was empty each time. However when I bought it in the early '90s, all the ads indicated you did not need to unload horses. Like Julie says above, I think it depends on where you get the flat and what your horses can tolerate.
|
Member:
mrose
|
Posted on Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 - 9:52 pm:
A few months ago a stopped to help a lady who had a flat along the interstate. There was no safe place to pull over and unload, and she had four horses in the trailer. She left the horses in and backed onto the "Trailer Aid." As suggested, she had loosened the lugs first. The difficult part was getting the spare off the other side of the trailer and onto the wheel. It would have been very difficult and dangerous, imo, to change the tire without the "trailer aid."
|
Member:
imogen
|
Posted on Wednesday, Dec 31, 2008 - 2:28 am:
I've had one of these for about five years and have used it once to help another person with a flat at a riding club event - we did it with the horses in, no problem. I've also lent it to a fellow hunt member at a hunter trials, and used it when changing a flat at home with no horse in the trailer. Would not be without it - they are called "TrailerJacks" in Europe if anyone is doing searches for vendors.
Imogen
|
Member:
canter
|
Posted on Wednesday, Dec 31, 2008 - 9:05 am:
Great feedback, everyone. Based on all the comments, sounds like the Trailer Aid is a "must have" for emergencies. I hadn't heard of it and don't know where my husband got the idea, but I will throw it in my trailer tack room for just in case. Even if I never need it, it will provide a little peace of mind just knowing it's there.
|
Moderator:
DrO
|
Posted on Wednesday, Dec 31, 2008 - 2:13 pm:
Would not leave home without it! I would also add that everyone should have a excellent quality four spoke lug wrench and a 2 1/2 foot pipe extension that slides onto all four spokes of the wrench (I use my old cattle drench/tubing pipe). I say excellent quality because the cheap ones will bend if the lug nuts have been put on with some pneumatic wrenches and a pipe extension because without it you may not be able to get the nut to move. Together the job becomes a "lead pipe cinch" for the smallest individual and besides our own occasional flat we have stopped and helped quite a few trailers over the years because they could not get a lug nut off with the standard "bent lug wrench".
DrO
PS: Assuming you are on reasonably level ground I believe it would be safe to raise the trailer 6-8 inches on one side with horses on board.
PPS I just remembered this one warning, leave if it in the bed of your truck at a campground and you might find it gone...I have.
|
Member:
vickiann
|
Posted on Wednesday, Dec 31, 2008 - 7:38 pm:
Ditto!
|
Member:
vickiann
|
Posted on Wednesday, Dec 31, 2008 - 7:41 pm:
Have used mine or loaned it to friends who had a flat a number of times. None of us ever had a problem and did not have to unload the horses.
|
Member:
canter
|
Posted on Wednesday, Dec 31, 2008 - 8:34 pm:
I showed my husband everyone's posts and he's feeling rather self satisfied with his idea...thanks for giving him a big head!!
DrO, I also shared your advice r.e the wrench and pipe extension. Hubby went straight down to the basement to check his tools to see if he had what was needed. Not sure yet if he found it...it's his "territory", thus a mess. Not sure how he finds anything in his tool room!
Again, my thanks to everyone who posted!
|
Member:
imogen
|
Posted on Thursday, Jan 1, 2009 - 2:03 am:
Also here in Ireland or anywhere muddy, make sure you have a couple of pieces of flat, stout timber somewhere - these have the dual function of levelling up the trailerjack, if you have to at the edge of the road (we have small rocky drainage ditches on the borders of many rural roads...). If the flat is on your towing vehicle, the timber can stop the conventional jack sinking into the ground.
Said piece of timber will also stop the "jockey wheel" on your horse trailer from sinking in if you need to disconnect the trailer for any reason and have to lower the jockey wheel.
Happy travelling...
Imogen
|
Member:
maggienm
|
Posted on Thursday, Jan 1, 2009 - 9:03 am:
Imogen, those are great suggestions. Any time you use a jack of any kind it is a good idea to place the jack on a 2 x 8 piece.
I have no idea if a horse trailer would be heavy enough but I have seen jacks that are being used to lift vehicles sink into the gravel and once I did see where it went sank into pavement. (It was pointed out to me)
my hubby pointed out to me that he has been using a shaped piece of blocking to do this same idea for years, hehe to hear him say it he is at least as old as the hills.
But I say this device is soo much cleaner and lighter than that chunk of 6x10x2. Plus this has a nice curve to help hold the tire from rolling.
|
Member:
shanson
|
Posted on Thursday, Jan 1, 2009 - 6:26 pm:
I couldn't live without the trailer aid. I've used it 3 or 4 times and have never had to unload the horses. Easy to do by myself too. If I were you, I'd do a practice run so that you know how to handle it if you're by yourself and to ensure that you have all the correct tools.
|
Member:
erika
|
Posted on Friday, Jan 2, 2009 - 9:48 am:
<<shudder>>
I am finding this thread terrifying! I haven't changed a tire since I was a teenager, and not sure I could even do it! Actually, I'm sure I could, but just hope I never have to.
I do have a Trailer-Aid in the tack room, but those of you who have that USRider program...do they come to help promptly, or is it more convenient just to change your own tire? I've been thinking of signing up. Seems like we use AAA and roadside assistance for something at least a couple of times a year on the cars, and I know none of them will touch a trailer.
|
Member:
mrose
|
Posted on Friday, Jan 2, 2009 - 11:26 am:
USRider is great! Evidently, once you have it you never have another problem! At least I haven't! The one flat I helped to change since becoming a member, was on someone else's trailer. If you have a safe place to pull over, changing a tire isn't too bad; you could do it pretty easily with the right equipment. I have the USRider more for other more serious problems, which hopefully I'll never have. I strongly believe in being prepared for "just in case" (that OCD again!) thus the US Rider. It seems like Cyndy or someone else on HA has it and has had experience with it, so hopefully they'll be able to tell you about their experiences with it.
|
Member:
lindas
|
Posted on Friday, Jan 2, 2009 - 7:45 pm:
Add a can of WD-40 or other penetrating lubricant to your tool kit. If it has been awhile since the wheels were put on the lugs might be rusted. Thank goodness I have never been faced with a flat on my trailer, but as much as we travel I know my day is coming! I have a Trailer Aid, and when at home it doubles as a chock to put behind the rear wheels, as the area where I must park my trailer is on a slight slope. After talking to friends who have had several flats while traveling with multiple horses I know that you never want to take the horses off the trailer while changing a flat if you can help it. Imagine a frightened horse pulling loose and running out on the interstate! Gives me chills to think about it!
|
Moderator:
DrO
|
Posted on Saturday, Jan 3, 2009 - 10:27 am:
I agree that USA Rider is great. We had a truck break down this fall and they were able to promise a tow on the truck and horse trailer within 2 hours. We found the electrical short before they got there so I cancelled but the tow was on the way by the time I called back.
For those who tow, I strongly recommend you "practice" a tire change on both your truck and trailer. You will feel much more confident after you get any kinks worked out in your procedure including breaking those rusty lugs holding on the unused spare.
DrO
|
Member:
mrose
|
Posted on Saturday, Jan 3, 2009 - 11:05 am:
I second that recommendation, Dr.O. My dad made sure I could change a tire when I first learned to drive. When I started towing horses, he tighten up the lugs with a power tool, then told me to figure out how to get them off. I'm glad he did (the key is leverage!)
Twice I've had a flat on the trailer way out in the middle of nowhere, and where cell phones wouldn't work. I'd probably still be sitting out there if I couldn't change a tire. You can't depend on people driving by to help out anymore either. When I stopped to help someone a few weeks ago,along busy I-15, two patrol cars DrOve by while we were working on her trailer tire, and neither one even slowed down!
|
Member:
canter
|
Posted on Saturday, Jan 3, 2009 - 11:10 am:
I've considered USA Rider, but since, so far, I never trailer more than 1 hour from home, I wonder if it's neccessary in my situation. Most of the time when I haul, the BO is around and I know I could call her to pick up my mare with their trailer if there was something not easily fixable and resulted in the need for a tow. I definitely see the need for USA Rider if you haul frequently and for longer distances.
I am going to invest in new trailer tires this spring. When I bought the trailer (used), the tread was still good, and I only haul 3 or 4 times a year, but my guess is, when I get the annual trailer check up in the spring, they will reco new tires.
|
Member:
mrose
|
Posted on Saturday, Jan 3, 2009 - 2:33 pm:
One of the things hardest on tires is sitting unused in the sun.
|
Member:
ekaufman
|
Posted on Saturday, Jan 3, 2009 - 4:28 pm:
WD-40 is a good lubricant but not a good penetrating catalyst for rusty lugs. The PB Blaster spray is good for the price, and will help more than WD-40 shifting a rusty lug, in my experience.
|
Member:
lindas
|
Posted on Sunday, Jan 4, 2009 - 10:02 am:
Good idea. I'm going to look into the PB Blaster, as a lot of our equipment on the farm is old, therefore rusty nuts and screws. I've always used the WD 40 but it does take awhile.
|
|
|
