Airing up the spare

[LRH]

Originally Posted by piercedtiger

I don't think the problem is speed... It's finding the damn hole in the dark, threading the rod through both holes (there's a second one about 6" toward the cab IIRC), and then lining the hook up with the slot in the cable turning thing.

I've only done it once and that was during the day and I STILL had to get a flashlight out to line everything up. I'd hate to think about doing it at night without a flashlight.

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I know what you mean, I have lowered & raised all my past Tacoma's and Tundras spares inside either the garage or the barn, both with smooth concrete, plenty of lighting, and over 1000 square feet of space, but I have tried to imagine what it would be like on the side of the road with both grass, gravel and mud, in the dark, with rain/sleet mixture and 15-20mph gusts. It ain't a purdy picture......

[danusa]

I over inflateted the spare. If I need it, it is a simple matter to deflate it. It is not under stress. An extra 5 lbs. will not hurt it.
I also moved it to get at the valve stem.
When I wear these tyres out, it is 8 ply. I`d buy ten ply, if they made them.
Screw changeing blown tyres.
On the Alcan. I had four flats in as many miles.
Only plugs got me to Whitehorse.

[TheMaster]

Guys, forget about flashlights for changing tires. Get a "trouble lamp" aka "work lamp" with a fluorescent tube. They are lean and about a foot long and can be plugged into the bed outlet. The first gen guys can get the same light in 12v with alligator clamps that bite into the battery post. With a trouble lamp you have both hands free to do your job and it can be stored behind the seat.

[piercedtiger]

Originally Posted by TheMaster

Guys, forget about flashlights for changing tires. Get a "trouble lamp" aka "work lamp" with a fluorescent tube. They are lean and about a foot long and can be plugged into the bed outlet. The first gen guys can get the same light in 12v with alligator clamps that bite into the battery post. With a trouble lamp you have both hands free to do your job and it can be stored behind the seat.

That's a good idea! I used those when I had to work on my house to meet inspection before we could buy it. Electricity wasn't hooked up when we started, and didn't want to run the bill up before we owned it when there were several lights we couldn't turn off. So I'd hang two of those lights over the bed to see while loading the trucks and kill the breakers in the house.

Now, I'll probably just turn these on...




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[sawdust]

Originally Posted by LRH

Another cure is to get an extension as mentioned earlier, you do not have to make one as they are already available for the RV crowd; it consists of a 6" or 9" hose with a clamp to fasten the loose end to the wheel or clamp anywhere you want. RV dealers as well as NAPA sell them, usually 2 to a bag, so call a friend to split costs. They are either brass or stainless steel and are well made in USA.

Now that's useful info. After waffling based upon the discussion here, I'm back to my original idea. I'm off to do some searching.

[sawdust]

I just found something that looks perfect. It's specifically for spare tires. I need to crawl back under the truck to make sure 36 inches is a good length.

If anyone else is interested it seems "tire valve extension" is the magic search term to use. Adding "flexible" sometimes help narrow down the search.

[danusa]

Originally Posted by TheMaster

Guys, forget about flashlights for changing tires. Get a "trouble lamp" aka "work lamp" with a fluorescent tube. They are lean and about a foot long and can be plugged into the bed outlet. The first gen guys can get the same light in 12v with alligator clamps that bite into the battery post. With a trouble lamp you have both hands free to do your job and it can be stored behind the seat.

I like the Steamlight Stinger. There is an LED version out now, but this will do.

[sawdust]

I just found a cheaper alternative to extend the spare tire valve stem and wanted to document it here. $6 (then that again in shipping)

[Pster]

If you attach an extension air pressure hose onto the spare tire, the metal screw that compresses the valve in the stem will trigger the remote air pressure sensor inside the tire and send a signal to the dash, thus your remote air pressure sensor will ALWAYS be on.

[sawdust]

Originally Posted by Pster

If you attach an extension air pressure hose onto the spare tire, the metal screw that compresses the valve in the stem will trigger the remote air pressure sensor inside the tire and send a signal to the dash, thus your remote air pressure sensor will ALWAYS be on.

I've had it on for a few months now and that has not been a problem. Thanks for posting though.

[Imrubicon]

Originally Posted by sawdust

I finally got hit with the tire pressure sensor warning about the spare before we left for Christmas. I crawled under there (in 30 degree weather) thinking this would be a quick and easy job. I had expected the valve stem to be pointing down, but noooo. Toyota in its infinite wisdom setup the spare tire mount so the stem is pointing up. Sheesh!

I was able to reach around the tire with one hand and feed the air hose through a cutout in the rim with the other and get the job done, but it was a pain. There's got to be an easier way. Has anyone thought of it? Yeah, yeah, I know I could ignore the light, or readjust the sensors to a ridiculously low psi, but I'm not ready to give up yet.

I have something in mind, but have no idea if anything like this is made, or could be cobbled together. I'd like a stem extender -- a 3 foot stem extender. Something that screws onto the threads that are there with a flexible hose that I could run out under the rear bumper with another stem at that end. Then a regular airing up of the tires will just require an extra stop at the bumper. But the whole thing could be easily disconnected from the spare when needed.

Ideas?

I have the double sided airchuck like you would use for duallys and it works just fine on the stock rim spare .I reach around wit hone hand to hold it in place and still the chuck through teh stiock rim wordks real easy.