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How to change class A motorhome tires? How to jack up larger motorhomes to change their tires? Read on to learn more.
So you've packed your motorhome for a long camping trip and hit the road, but when you check the tires one (or more) don't have the right pressure. It's time to change RV tires, but how do you do that? While changing a Class C motorhome tire is almost the same as changing a busted tire on any car or smaller vehicle, class A motorhome tires may require a little more effort. That is because Class A motorhomes are larger, heavier, and more difficult to lift.
But if you find yourself stranded in the middle of the road with low tire pressure, learning how to change a Class A motorhome tire can be really helpful. Here are some ways for you to get the help you need.
P.S It is always a good idea to carry road safety gear like LED flares with you when traveling. You never know when and where your RV may break down.
Motorhome Tires
Before we jump into how you can change a motorhome tire yourself, let's take a look at what makes motorhome tires different from the ones on other vehicles. Class A motorhome tires have to support a weight of 15000 to 30000 pounds, this means they are the largest tires for RVs on the market. The tires can go up to 24 inches in diameter. Class C motorhome tires need to carry a weight of 10000 to 12000 pounds. While not as much as Class A tires, these too need to have a thicker width to support all the extra weight of the RV.
Motorhome tires can normally last up to 10 years or cover a distance of 200,000 miles before they need to be replaced. However, that will depend on how well you take care of the RV tires. Good maintenance and regular check-ups can ensure a longer lifespan.
How to Change a Class A Motorhome Tire?
Changing a Class A motorhome tire can be challenging because lifting an RV that size is no easy feat.
Park your motorhome in a safe area, on level ground. This is important because you are going to be lifting a vehicle that weighs over 12 tonnes. If you park on uneven ground, it may be difficult to lift and level it.
Loosen the lug nuts on your flat tires by giving them a quarter turn with your lug wrench. The tire will still stay securely attached to the motorhome, all you need to make sure is that there are no stubborn lug nuts that would need more effort to remove. Do all that heavy lifting before jacking your motorhome up.
There are a number of RV jacks you can use to lift the motorhome. We suggest you use either a ramp jack or an air bottle jack to raise your motorhome off the ground.
Place the jack behind the tire that needs to be replaced and lift the motorhome. If you're using a ramp jack, then place it behind a wheel on the same side of the RV as the tire you are changing, then drive over the ramp to lift your RV.
Use tire chocks to prevent any rolling or tipping. Place them on the side of the RV opposite to the tire you are changing.
Remove the lug nuts and take the tire off carefully. Class A motorhome tires may be big and heavy but they are designed to be handled by a single person.
Replace the tire with your spare RV tire and tighten the lug nuts to secure it in place.
Lower the motorhome by lowering the jack (if you're using an air bottle jack). If you're using a ramp jack then remove the tire chocks from the RV and slowly drive the RV off the ramp.
Pack your entire RV tire-changing kit and hit the road.
Here is a video by Dave, to show you how to change a travel trailer tire easily.
How to Change a Class C Motorhome Tire?
Class C motorhome tires are easier to change, simply because the RVs aren't as heavy and can be lifted using normal portable jacks. Here is a list of things you will need in your Rv tool kit:
RV jacks (bottle jack, ramp if dual axle, hydraulic jack, floor jack)
RV leveler
Lug wrench or tire wrench
Spare tire
Changing a class C motorhome tire is a simple process:
Use the RV jack and leveler to raise your motorhome just enough so that the tire that needs to be changed can move freely.
Remove the lug nuts using the tire wrench. Store the lug nuts in a safe place so you don't lose them.
Take the bad tire off, grease the lug, and place the spare tire on. P.S check the pressure in your spare tire using an RV tire pressure monitoring system to make sure it's good to go.
Use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts back in place.
Here is a video by Roadside Guy, showing you how to change a tire on a Class C motorhome.
FAQs
What size of jack do I need for my motorhome?
The size of jack you need depends on the tongue weight of your RV. A rule of thumb is to go for a tongue weight that is 10% to 15% of the trailer weight. So if you have a motorhome that weighs 4600 lbs you will need a tongue weight of 460 to 690 pounds. A jack size of 1000 or 2000 pounds can easily handle that load.
Where do you place the jack for raising your RV?
The location of the jack depends on the location of the tire you are changing. For example, if you're changing the front tire of your motorhome, you will place the jack stand behind the wheel you are changing. The jack may be used to lift your RV but the jack stand holds it in place.
What kind of jack does an RV use?
There are many different kinds of jacks you can use to lift your RV:
Bottle jack
Hi-Lift jack
Uni-jack
Trolley jack
Scissor jack
Floor jack
Service jack
Triple lift jack
Electric Hydraulic jack
Remember that each type of jack has a different purpose and is used differently, so choose the jack that is best for your vehicle needs.
Is a bottle jack better than a floor jack?
Both bottle jacks and floor jacks are used to lift heavier class A and class C motorhomes. Bottle jacks are easier to use, portable, and can carry heavy loads. However, they need more ground clearance to work. Floor jacks provide more stability and distribute the vehicle's weight evenly. However, they are larger in size and heavier so carrying one with you can be a hassle. Floor jacks are usually recommended for professionals.
The Last Word
Jacking up a motorhome can be a daunting task, especially for new RVers. But it doesn't have to be too complicated. Follow the steps detailed above and you'll be fine. Also, it is a good idea to practice changing a tire before you hit the road, especially if you're planning on boondocking or long-term camping. This way you can be prepared for any eventuality.
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