Tire/Wheel removal

Dumb question. How do I remove the tire and wheel on my 1996 Hi-Lo? Clearance is the issue. Does the whole plastic "skirt" have to come off?

On our 1997 tow-lite, we have to deflate the tires to take them off the trailer. We have to reinstall a deflated tire and then inflate them while on the trailer. It is quite a process.

campthewestcoast said:

On our 1997 tow-lite, we have to deflate the tires to take them off the trailer. We have to reinstall a deflated tire and then inflate them while on the trailer. It is quite a process.

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What a poor design. I am waiting for a reply from J & R to see if there is a better way. By the way, the mirrors seem to fit my Tacoma fine and the quality looks good.

On my 1996 Tow Lite i drive one wheel up on a ramp with the other dangleing and the axle lowers making it easier to come off, a wiggle here and there and tah dah its off, same way with putting it on.

Would this help?
I greased the bearings on mine, but I used a floor jack, so I cheated!

Camco Mfg Inc - Trailer-Aid - Towing Accessories - Camping World

Or this?

http://www.cowboyshowcase.com/tires.htm

vannooch said:

Would this help?
I greased the bearings on mine, but I used a floor jack, so I cheated!

Camco Mfg Inc - Trailer-Aid - Towing Accessories - Camping World

Or this?

Cowboy tire changer for twin axle horse trailer

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As I said earlier, very bad design.

Tom,

Our 1969 has the same problem. Between the wheel wells that rise into the trailer interior, bent axles, and the exterior skirting, changing tires has always been difficult. The ground clearance was designed for 1960's tow vehicles, like the Chevy Impala and Dodge Polara... low highway cruisers!

But if you think Hi-Lo tires on older models were difficult to access, look at other brands of older times! Some had full wheel skirts THAT COULDN"T BE REMOVED. What a nightmare that would have been on a muddy dirt road. Even some of the old Airstreams were skirted (however, the ones I've seen did have removable skirts)!

I use the same hard rubber ramp that David (Vannooch) linked to, and it really makes the job pretty easy.

Hi-Lo (along with other brands) finally did change things to ease the problem. I'm guessing that when it became apparent that most of us were towing with high clearance trucks and SUV's, they raised the frame height and axle position giving better trailer clearance. The tires on our 2407T are pretty easy the change.

Jim

What mirrors?

TJM said:

What a poor design. I am waiting for a reply from J & R to see if there is a better way. By the way, the mirrors seem to fit my Tacoma fine and the quality looks good.

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Would like to known what mirrors you are useing on your Toy as I have a 02 Toy am I wonders what mirrors I need to buy inorder to see around my old hilo.

Are you jacking under the frame and not the axle, if the jack is to close to the center of the axle it is possible to bend the center tube. Hi-Lo manual says to jack on the frame and not the axle this lets the axle and wheel hang down giving more clearance.

The manual for my '90 FunChaser;

1. Remove fender skirt.

Seems like quite a pain to change a flat...

Changing tire

1990 25ft. Classic, We also have to take the skirt off to change the tire. No trailer is perfect. Very bad design agreed. Glad to hear changes in design were made in later years. Can you immagine calling for road service and the tech. being clueless. Probably using some unkind words!!