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Changing a caravan wheel

Picture of a bottle jack and raised caravan while changing a caravan wheel

 

Your guide to changing a wheel on a caravan

Changing a caravan wheel may be needed for several reasons. But usually, it’s to deal with a flat tyre caused by a puncture.

One option is to choose a caravan breakdown cover policy that includes roadside assistance. Professional help can be useful, especially if you get a puncture on a motorway or busy main road.

However, changing a wheel is straightforward. So, when you need to do it yourself, this article explains the steps, including a few potential issues to be aware of.

Here’s what you need:

  • spare wheel and tyre
  • wheel brace
  • torque wrench
  • caravan jack
  • wheel chocks
  • levelling ramp (often required)
  • red triangle and high-viz vest

The red triangle and a high-viz vest are not legal requirements in the UK but are highly recommended for safety reasons. When needed, a warning triangle should be placed at least 45m or 147 feet behind your vehicle.

Another couple of handy items to keep on board are knee pads and disposable gloves. You’ll spend a while on your knees, and things can be pretty grimy.

It’s best to change a wheel on a hard, flat surface. If you spot a puncture while pitching up in a field, tow the caravan onto hard standing or shingle or sit the jack on a plywood board or similar rigid surface.

Before we list the steps needed to change a wheel, here’s some useful information about spare wheels and caravan jacks:

Spare wheels

Picture of a spare wheel stowed underneath a caravan

 

Most UK caravan manufacturers stow the spare wheel in an AL-KO spare wheel carrier situated underneath the caravan. These devices are notoriously tricky to use. The mechanism can corrode over time and jam when you need to slide the wheel out. The weight of the spare wheel also pushes down on the carrier cradle, which can leave flat spots on the tyre wall. So we recommend periodically lubricating the mechanism, wheel clamp and slider tubes with lithium grease to ensure everything works smoothly. We also recommend removing the spare wheel three or four times a year and checking the tyre pressure.

Alternatively, remove the carrier and store your spare wheel inside the caravan. A storage unit under the bed is a good place to do this.

Caravan jacks

Most new caravans don’t come with a jack, and we don’t recommend using your car jack. Mechanical scissor jacks supplied with cars have a smooth contact point that can easily slip under load. The winding handles are also tricky to use.

The best option is to use a hydraulic bottle jack and position the jack at either:

  • the end of the axle tube, directly behind the wheel
  • under the bracket that lips around the chassis rail, directly behind the wheel

 

Changing a caravan wheel with a bottle jack

 

The other option is to buy a caravan-specific device, such as the Kojack Lite Bottle Jack or the AL-KO Side Lift Jack. These units come with brackets you pre-locate on the chassis to act as jacking points.

Top Tip! Corner steadies are not load-bearing devices. So always ensure you raise the steadies before jacking up a caravan.

Now, with all of the equipment you need available, it’s time to change the wheel:

  1. If you stop on the highway, ensure your hazard warning lights are on and the red warning triangle is positioned at the correct distance.
  2. Check you have access to the spare wheel. If a puncture means you can’t get underneath to release the wheel, put a levelling ramp in
  3. front of the flat tyre and tow your caravan onto the ramp. This will raise the caravan by several inches. You may also need the height to position and operate the jack.
  4. Apply the vehicle and caravan handbrakes. Chock the wheel on the opposite side.
  5. Remove the spare wheel from the carrier beneath the caravan. Put the jack in position, and loosen the wheel nuts or bolts slightly.
  6. Raise the caravan until the punctured wheel clears the floor, ensuring you have enough clearance to replace it with a fully inflated tyre.
  7. Swap the wheels and ensure the wheel nuts or bolts are no more than pinch-tight.
  8. Release the jack and lower the caravan.
  9. Half-tighten the first wheel nut or bolt, then the opposite one, followed by the remaining ones.
  10. Now repeat the process using a torque wrench to fully tighten the wheel nuts or bolts.

That’s it! You’ve successfully changed a caravan wheel.

 

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