assistive tool for wheel changes - need your feedback

[nsxtasy]

Just developed an assistive tool that makes it easier to change your wheels. It's mainly for those who works with larger wheels and finds mounting wheels on the wheel hub challenging. It's called the WheelAssist - please visit our website at thewheelassist.com for more product info.

Let me know if this tool might be useful to you. Thanks!

[Hehe]

I understand what it does but I don't see how appealing it would be to actually buy one.

Is this targeting shops or average folks? If it's the latter, you might want to rethink how often would people actually change their wheels. For me, it's twice a year (Summer/Winter) and even though it's a bit bothersome to lift them up, I don't think it's enough for me to consider a big chunk of equipment sitting there. Maybe I don't rotate my tires often enough, but still... how many people would rotate them often enough to justify your product?

For commercial purpose, I think the design needs a bit more work as it creates little value to shops for them to consider it. Shops consider time as premium, not labor. If their technicians need to sweat more, so be it. You would want your tool to save time, not adding comfort.

[fliptuner]

Overcomplicates what a pry bar does, just fine (for HD truck wheels). I've never needed help putting a regular car wheel on.

[320icar]

I work in a tire shop. I would have absolutely no use for this except for heavy European SUV wheels (they use lug bolts Instead of lug nuts and studs like a usdm/jdm car)

... But then I just use a wheel hanger. Cost $2? and is faster than your setup. Sorry guy

[stewie]

I had an SUV 4x4 that went from 32" swampers to 34".
Once the vehicle was lifted just enough it took no effort to wiggle the tire off and once off just roll the tire away. Bring the new on in, roll it up, turn it sideways and wiggle itself back into position. Those tires aren't light and they're done with ease.

I could possibly see this catering to older people who would try to make things as easy as possible for them. Majority of older people under 50 could easily do the job without.

[underscore]

I'm having a hard time seeing who would be capable of lifting the tires to store them or load them on this tool but not be capable of putting it on the car.