Last week, we had a pretty good soak out here in Cal. During this time I got a flat on my Xterra(my DD). As luck would have it, I had never changed this one out before and it took about 5 minutes to get it figured out. After getting the flat replaced sand being soaked, I took stock of what I didn't have. These things are now in the car: Cross wrench, flashlight and my new adapter! I have to lower the spare from underneath the car using the lug wrench as a handle. Because my hitch was in the way, continuous motion was not an option.



So, I made an adapter! I noticed the end of the iron was a 3/8 square male, so I had my machinist make a 3/8 square bore shaft.



This connected to a 3/8 ratchet gives me the speed to get the job done while keeping my eye on the traffic. After all, when does a flat replacement happen in a good spot? Hope this gives you ideas for an easy fix of your own.

 

Way to go!

 

would have been just as easy to remove the hitch from the receiver.
but i like the idea of the adapter and using a ratchet

 

Unless you have a trailer on at the time.