BArcher
Chester
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Had a flat tire on our first outing this year, and couldn't get the spare to fit between the fender well and the wheel hub. Mechanic at the tire shop couldn't either. The width of the tire was too wide to slide between the inside of the fender well and the wheel hub. Fender well overhangs the tire by a few inches on this camper. Right size spare tire/wheel per my manual, and matched the mounted flat. Trailer has Torflex independent torsion bar type suspension, and I noticed that the camper body does not raise up off the axle when jacked up the way I'm used to seeing - but I don't know if this is normal for this type of suspension. Camper is a 1999 Jayco Heritage Manistee. I bought the camper used a couple of years ago, so I have no idea what may have been done to it in the past, but I can't imagine Jayco designed it such that the spare won't go on. Anyone have any suggestions / things to look for? Thanks!
Sorry if this gets posted twice, but I had some computer difficulties the first go around.
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popeyemth
owensboro ky
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jack from the axle mount till the flat will rotate 360 degrees, put jack stands front and rear of the axle-on the frame rails- let the jack down SLOWLY till the axle sags just enough to get the tire on.
good luck,mike
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Previous poster is probably correct or with a pop up you can probably safely jack on the frame which should allow the wheel to drop. I have to ask though, how did you remove the OLD tire if they're the same size?
Good luck / Skip
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ernestfortier
Palmdale, Calif.
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Has the axel shifted to one side? It should be easy to check.
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BArcher
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Thanks for the responses and suggestions. To answer some questions . . .
1. Haven't tried jack stands on both sides of the axle, but the problem definitely seems to be that the wheel hub is not sagging enough to give the clearance needed between fender well and wheel hub to mount a fully inflated spare.
2. Old tire was shredded, so had no trouble getting the wheel off the hub.
3. Axle has not shifted to one side, and the same problem exists on both sides - had to deflate the other tire to get it to squeeze out of the fender well.
Spoke with the manufacturer of the suspension system this morning and they gave me the details of how much the wheel should sag - if it doesn't then my suspension is shot.
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Stumps
valley of Virginia
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BA -that was my thoughts - the suspension could be gone.
For a while Jaycos did make the "fit" around the tires such as you describe - wheel well actually hangs down over the tire a bit, and the camper was lower to the ground than what you commonly see today. It's not unusual on older Jaycos to have to work tires a bit to get them into place, but it should fit up in there.
you have a torsion axle, and the suspension is great - it's what adds to your smooth ride. My guess is if that's what's gone, you might be in for a complete new axle?
Have you tried emailing Jayco? they are usually very responsive to customer questions.
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Ssuomu
home
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I am haveing the exact same problem with a 1998 Palomino 12' Tent Trailer. Any of the above solutions work? any ideas?
Steve
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ExRocketScientist
Laurel, MD
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The torsion axle suspensions use a set of rubber rods inside of the axle tube that surround the part that the torsion arm is attached to. It works by compressing the rubber. I find it hard to believe that it has deteriorated to the point you would not be able to change the tire.
It is not that difficult to mount new axle mounting flanges on these trailer frames and install a spacer between the axle and the frame. I did that on my 1990 Aliner myself in half a day to raise the trailer up off of the wheels by an inch (and to fix the fact that the factory mount was attached 1" off on one side). But then again, I weld.
ERS
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Stumps
valley of Virginia
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OK... quick question.
COuld you then deflate the new tire, install it, then inflate?
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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One other idea. IF suspension seems to be sacked, can you adjust it? On one of our trailers you can remove the link part that hangs down from the splines on the axle part. You can then put it back on in a slightly different spot where splines again align.
Just a thought if you do need to replace axle, it might be worth trying first?
Chuck
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