Re: Change out tire on the road
I use the bottle jack that came with my truck. It is just a little too high for the axle but works great on the frame just behind the axle. I used to carry jack stands and a floor jack in my old truck but I still don't want to beat up my 'new' Silverado and the way gas prices have gone in the last few years had made me reconsider how necessary things I carry with me are. I used to store my bearing packer and a spare hub in the toolbox on the truck as well, now I just have one on the spare and a set of pre-greased bearings in a zip lock baggy in the small boat tool box along with a mini grease gun. One thing I do carry is two chunks of 2x4, one for under the jack if I need it, and one for beating things (bearing seals, bearing buddies, etc) on with.
Instead of jack stands I like to pull the bum wheel off and slide it under the axle just out of the way (I try to jack just high enough). If it falls of the jack then I am covered. That gives me time to get the new hub on or pack and replace the bearings and at worst I am out one spare. With the mileage I put on it (160+ miles to my closest 'summer' lake, one way) I end up replacing the tires long before they get a chance to break down due to age, its just the odd wheel bearing disintegration mid season that catches my by surprise. I guess its one of those false economies that I should just toss em every 2 years or so, its just they usually go for 3-4 at least, its just that odd year where one goes even after inspecting and repacking them. I had one go this weekend so I should be good for another 3 seasons, which reminds me to go pick up a new spare set this week...
