how to change a tire in soft sand

[pjorek Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close pjorek]

this might seem dumb but perhaps others have used different techniques to mine and i'd like to know how you did it?

- keep in mind you only have the factory bottle jack, no hi lift jacks no bullbags etc.

i shoved a pair of maxtrax underneath...dunno if it was safe but it got the job done

[KybraBoss Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close KybraBoss]

Re: how to change a tire in soft sand

I'd trust my Maxtrax to do the job but I always slide the spare wheel under the chassis rails as a safety measure.
As soon as the flat comes off that goes under the chassis until the other wheel is on and the jack is removed.
this has saved my legs once when a race car got nudged in the pits when I was under it

[prado4x4 Member Find all posts View Profile Close prado4x4]

Re: how to change a tire in soft sand

I've always carried either a piece of 5mm steel, or 18mm form-ply about 400mm x 400mm.
It's supposed to spread the load on the sand and stop the jack sinking in. Never had to use it
in anger yet though, but that's the principle. Your maxtrax would have done the same thing
I'd think.

John

[winniliss Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close winniliss]

Re: how to change a tire in soft sand

You could also use an airbag that you attach to your exhaust...

[Schaffer Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schaffer]

Re: how to change a tire in soft sand

Never ever ever use a Hi Lift jack as they are just too unstable, especially on soft sand. I agree with the use of a base plate as this helps spread the load as well as providing the extra height for the standard factory bottle jack when changing a tyre on a lifted vehcile. The tyre underneath is also a good thing to protect any part of yourself that ventures beneath the vehcile and the ground in the case of the bottle jack slipping :shock:

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: how to change a tire in soft sand

If I had to change a tyre in sand and did not have the Maxtrax or some sort of stiff board or metal plate, I would grab some other items like
- esky lid
- floor mats
- warranty and user manual
- wife's Womens Weekly (but not the 4X4 monthly edition with Joey's rig in it)

[OldGreyGuy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close OldGreyGuy]

Re: how to change a tire in soft sand

I have a 2 inch (50mm) thick chunk of Camphor-Laurel about 250x350mm that I use to provide a stable base and raise the height of the jack. Drilled a couple of holes and strung a piece of rope through to act as a handle. Not sure how it would go on sand but it would have to be better than the jack alone.

Smells good in the car too.

[fishfinder Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close fishfinder]

Re: how to change a tire in soft sand

Walk away from the car leave the wife to tackle the job and within a few seconds some good samaritin will help

[4wd26 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 4wd26]

Re: how to change a tire in soft sand

In the dunes on Straddie I once rolled a tyre off a rim when it connected to a tree stump.
Bad side slope, the only thing to do was to dig under the tyre, the vehicle slowly sunk onto the chassis and stopped.
We kept digging until the tyre and wheel were able to be changed, filled up the hole and reversed out.

plenty of options available in sand, sometime a bit of effort is worth avoiding the risk.

[FlyNdrive Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close FlyNdrive]

Re: how to change a tire in soft sand

The Hi-Lift is an acceptable way to change a flat, but it is not recommended in the directions due to US trial lawyers.

We needed one on the Pre-GTG Simpson crossing and GrayNomad had a 6"X6", but that was too small & it sank into the sand rather easily.

I carry the Hi-Lift Off-Road Base (ORB). It is a 12"X12"(inch) Poly base that has base for the Hi-Lift. It fits the requirements for the US Park Service (along with jack, rope, & shovel among other things.

[Davros Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Davros]

Re: how to change a tire in soft sand

Walk away from the car leave the wife to tackle the job and within a few seconds some good samaritin will help

Yep.... I think that is the least labour intensive method to get the wheel changed.