Across the USA 2013 #5 (Ken-Tool)
We are moving quickly now. Hope you can keep up. After a relaxing visit and overnight stay at Reutter’s Roost B&B (probably gained 2 pounds), we headed towards Canada. An important stop along the way was Ken-Tool, the world’s leading manufacturer of tire service tools. Sometime soon, I’ll be doing a full post on our tire repair kit. For the most part, repairing a tire can be pretty straight forward, once you get the tire off the rim. Getting our 41-inch Michelin XZL MPT tires off our Rickson steel wheels was a serious problem.
Rock Tyson and Roger Kliskey met us when we arrived at Ken-Tool headquarters and showed us the step-by-step process using their T52 Bead Breaker, a T35 Heavy Duty Tire Hammer, and the T2006 Super Serpent Demount Tool. With T2002 Serpent Mount Tool and a pair of Aluminum Bead Holders, the big Michelin was easily slipped back on the rim. A blast of 120-psi air from our AccuAir 5-gallon reserve tank reset the bead and the Extreme Outback dual air compressors quickly re-inflated the tire.
Breaking down these big tires is still not easy, but with plenty of lube, now we know it’s possible if we have to repair a tire on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. Having the right tools make all the difference.
A T52 Bead Breaker and T35 Heavy Duty Tire Hammer were used to separate the tire from the rim. We could also use our Hi-Lift Jack for the job.
The Ken-Tool T2006 Super Serpent Demount Tool was used to pry the bead of the tire over the rim.
The unique shape of the Super Serpent Demount tool greatly speeds up the process.
Plenty of lube on the bead and rim makes the job much easier. We carry a small jar of Tire Slick tire-mounting lubricant for this purpose.
Rock Tyson, (VP of Sales & Marketing), and Roger Kliskey, (Manager), gave us a hands-on demonstration of the dismounting process.
A Serpent Mount Tool and a pair of Aluminum Bead Holders made easy work of slipping the big Michelin back on the rim.
A blast of 120-psi air from our AccuAir 5-gallon reserve tank was plenty to reset the bead.
Our dual ExtremeAire Velocity 12-volt air compressors by Extreme Outback Products quickly aired up the tire to 65 psi.
Quality products from companies like Ken-Tool are what make our life on the road and adventures like driving the Silk Road possible.
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