Remounting the spare tire by yourself?

[Pony4x4]

Just bought a SAS Outer Banks and I installed the hitch as mine didn’t come with it. I had to take the spare off in order to lift the bumper slightly for everything to clear during installation. I was able to lft the spare down off the mount - but it’s definitely a 2 man job to lift the spare back up to the mount. (i’m 71 years old and my back ain’t great)

Other than the obvious answer of a 2 man job - does anyone have any tips if you’ve had a flat along the interstate or in the middle of no where to get the flat back on the mount if you’re by yourself? I don’t think I could even lift it into the back of the Bronco - let alone the mount.

Thanks!

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[Tonka Bronka]

I would recommend driving to a safe parking lot where you will have people able to help you. Never stop on the side of an interstate, or any road for that matter, to change a tire. It's just not worth your life.

 

[23OBX2.7]

Spare tire delete kit and secured in cargo area. No other way around a solo lift other than 24 lb wheels and light weight tires even then unless have the power its awkward

 

[CarGuy]

Consider subscribing to an auto service that can do it for you (e.g., AAA, etc.) or see if your insurance can do an add-on.

 

[ksdon]

A Roadside Assistance program through a paid subscription is one possibility.
Our SAS has Mickey Thompson tires with some of the stronger sidewalls on an E rated tire. Not ideal but I think I could drive a some distance but not for miles. For self help You could explore something like GlueTread for roadside repair, and also carry a portable air compressor. Mikita makes a nice one that could get you enough air to drive a long way.

Years ago I used 2 cans of Fix-A-Flat on a tire and together with a bicycle tire pump drove about 250 miles to my home. Some of the newer products that fix a leak are pretty good. They seem messy and certainly not ideal, but they seem even better if you have limited choices on the side of a road.

 

[not on the rug]

Get some friends, family or a neighbor to help you today.

Then tomorrow, join the local gym and start taking care of your body. You're not too old to dramatically improve the rest of your life by strength training. One of my best friends is one of the country's most elite strength training coaches.. the largest growing portion of the population getting into weight training is the senior citizens. He himself has a large portion of clients over the age of 65.

Best online resource/book I could recommend for you would be Dr. Jon Sullivan. He specializes in training methodologies for people over the age of 50. The barbell prescription is a game changer.
https://www.greysteel.org/

 

[CalvinT]

This girl is around 5 feet tall. Looks like a 35" tire/wheel. I've tried her method, piece of cake for me, YMMV. BTW I'm 5'5". And a Vietnam vet, so you can guess my age.

 

[ScottyC]

Don't leave home without it.....

As for when you are home, call a buddy and tell him you have the coffee on.

 

[Tybh88]

Bend from the knees so you dont break your back.

 

[brkdncr]

Chuck it into the back and drive to a tire shop.

 

[EasternSierra]

Consider subscribing to an auto service that can do it for you (e.g., AAA, etc.) or see if your insurance can do an add-on.

Which I've done, and which has paid off a few times for different problems on the road.

However, my concern is on the trail. I'm not going to do any really hairy trails alone, but you can get a flat even on regular dirt roads. Guess I'll have to try the method shown in the video and see if I can handle that. Plus, time to get some of that tire sealing stuff that I used to carry along.

 

[Jossman 2026]

I'm 80 5'8" 140 lbs.Similar to the girl in the video-I carry couple pieces of mule tape that I can put through the rim which keeps your arms much closer to your body + makes the lifting much easier than your arms on the sides of a 35# tire.

 

[contented]

Just bought a SAS Outer Banks and I installed the hitch as mine didn’t come with it. I had to take the spare off in order to lift the bumper slightly for everything to clear during installation. I was able to lft the spare down off the mount - but it’s definitely a 2 man job to lift the spare back up to the mount. (i’m 71 years old and my back ain’t great)

Other than the obvious answer of a 2 man job - does anyone have any tips if you’ve had a flat along the interstate or in the middle of no where to get the flat back on the mount if you’re by yourself? I don’t think I could even lift it into the back of the Bronco - let alone the mount.

Thanks!

I’m older than you and can’t do a direct lift up and onto spare tire mount either. Divide and conquer, so to speak, is doable. When at home I have a sturdy oak bar stool that I precisely position beneath the mount. Then lean top of tire on the stool. Next, I grab bottom of tire and lift it so the other end of tire is supported by stool. Continue lifting until you have tire standing vertically on the stool. Rotate tire on stool until it faces correct direction. At that point, I only have a lift of 2” or so to slide wheel onto studs, which I can handle as I’m standing straight up.

Along the road and alone, same exact concept, except put flat into trunk. Open tailgate, lean tire against edge of trunk, grab at bottom and lift. When tire is level, push it into truck.

 

[Poppavein]

 

[CarGuy]

As I get older, I do things within my ability. If you can’t lift the spare, I would not go off-road alone.

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