The Gaither Tire Jack and Your Low-Back....

[MAX Burner]

So, it's moving into wheel bearing examination season and my low back is already starting to scream at me.  Those 16" wheel/tire assemblies are, by no stretch, an "easy lift" while trying to align the lugs with the wheel - haven't weighed them, but they feel like 50 - 60-something pounds.  A real back strainer, for sure and for certain.

Found this Gaither "Trac Tire Jack" somewhere on YouTube.  The vid sold me on it immediately and ours arrived yesterday.  Haven't tried it out yet, but by initial evaluation, it's going to make the wheel bearing drill a lot more fun than it already is.  The unit is well made from solid steel, powder coated bright red, and the only moving part is the roller.

This will certainly be a go-to tool in our shop...

Check it out at:  https://gaithertool.com/products/new-products/trac-tire-jack/

Cheers!

 

 

[jd1923]

Nice tool, though pricey (like everything else today)! I have a crowbar with a spade end I sometimes use this purpose. I also use a huge 6-ton floor jack and when it's time to remount, I lower the jack with the wheel in position and get it to the point the wheel only needs 1/4" lift to mount. Yes, save your back!

[MAX Burner]

You can find them from $197 to $149 online…. Not cheap, but could save a low-back strain - as can other methods mentioned.

Edited February 14 by MAX Burner
Updated pricing information

[jd1923]

I searched for this on Amazon and one seller showed for this item at full retail. This tool came up in the search. I may have to get one of these! Amazon.com: PONO 330 LBS Heavy Duty Adjustable Rolling Wheel Dolly,Tire Moving Tool Cart for Changing Car, Truck, Skid Steer, ATV, and Trailer Tires,Easy to Use Tire Lifting Tool : Automotive 

[Rivernerd]

1 hour ago, MAX Burner said:

You can find them for 40% off online- don’t pay the MSRP…

Where?

[MAX Burner]

44 minutes ago, Rivernerd said:

Where?

Sorry, edited my post with pricing information found by searching the net...

[ScubaRx]

I built this gadget to lift the 75 pound wheel and tire on and off the trailer. I couldn’t come close to putting a mounted tire onto the hub. With this thing, even Tali can take them off and remount them. I built it for under $50.

 

 

[Ronbrink]

Now there’s a thought, I have a piece of plate metal begging to be put to good use! Last welding task was a roller skid plate for the front TV bumper mount to protect the QuikrStuff bike rack and secure our ebikes;  pic of roller mockup during fabrication.

[Rivernerd]

11 hours ago, ScubaRx said:

I built it for under $50.

Wow!  Ingenious design.

Wish I could buy one to ease winter tire changes.

[Geronimo John]

All really cool ideas!  Love them all. Having such helpers when in the shop is wonderful for sure.  But for on the road, or in the absence of a shop as in my case, weight is the enemy. 

As such, I must take a minimalist approach.  And I am in the camp of using tools I already have. That said, at my vintage, I am well beyond tossing around our great E-Rated tires. But I always can find a helper capable of raising or lowering a rear jack from the trailer tongue.  (NOTE:  My 6,000 pound anchor rule is in play.)

• Taking Tires Off:  Breaker Bar the lugs on one side of the trailer.  Place safety jack stands under the frame ahead of and behind the two tires.  Have helper raise that side jack until the first tire is not holding weight and adjust safety jack stand as needed.  20V Dewalt impact off the nuts.  Repeat for second tire that side.  Adjust jack stands and lower trailer onto them to take the weight.  At this point the OEM rear jack becomes the safety jack stand for the two loaded one.
• Putting Tires On:  Place tires near their axles.  Raise rear jack and adjust safety jacks to allow lowering of the frame.  Put tire onto the spindle and install lug nuts.  Slightly tighten.  Repeat with second tire.  Have helper raise the trailer, remove Jack stands, lower wheel to allow for full tightening of lug nuts to 80 ft-pounds, lower axles to take full load and re-torque to 100 Ft-Pounds.  done.

Bottom line why are we even trying to lift the tire up onto the spindle when we can lower the spindle down to the tire using the electric jacks?  Sort of an old biblical story in that one.....

GJ