Recently purchased used 5th wheel (first one) and wanted to jack it up to pull wheels and inspect brakes. I was told by an RV mechanic to leave it hitched and than jack it up. Less strain on 5er frame was his reasoning. Another RV mechanic said it wasn't an issue. He's worked on RVs for 30 years and never hitched to TV before jacking up a 5er. Is the front landing leg strong enough to support the weight shift to one side if 5er jacked up unhitched (just wondering about that now)? Which mechanic is right?

Unless it is really small and only one axle, most people just drive up onto a block so the other wheel is off the ground, then work on that one.

Floor jack under the axle, right at the U-bolts.I never bother hitching up the truck to lift an axle. Or unhitching for that matter. No difference either way.

Do one at a time and just put a jack under the spring perch. You only need to raise the axle about 1"+ to get the tire off the ground. Or if you have two jacks then do one axle at a time. I don't hitch up when I do mine. Do RV dealers hitch up to a truck when they do it for customers?

Artum Snowbird wrote:Unless it is really small and only one axle, most people just drive up onto a block so the other wheel is off the ground, then work on that one....X 2

This is per Dexter its good for all axles, on the frame and use jack stands

Best method for jacking up 5er | Good Sam Community

Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
May 05, 2017
Unless it is really small and only one axle, most people just drive up onto a block so the other wheel is off the ground, then work on that one.
bpounds
Nomad
May 05, 2017
Floor jack under the axle, right at the U-bolts.

I never bother hitching up the truck to lift an axle. Or unhitching for that matter. No difference either way.
goducks10
Explorer
May 05, 2017
Do one at a time and just put a jack under the spring perch. You only need to raise the axle about 1"+ to get the tire off the ground. Or if you have two jacks then do one axle at a time. I don't hitch up when I do mine. Do RV dealers hitch up to a truck when they do it for customers?
USAFBILL
Explorer
May 05, 2017
Artum Snowbird wrote:
Unless it is really small and only one axle, most people just drive up onto a block so the other wheel is off the ground, then work on that one.
...X 2
Colo_Native
Explorer
May 05, 2017
This is per Dexter its good for all axles, on the frame and use jack stands
fj12ryder
Explorer III
May 05, 2017
I jack mine under the spring perches just like everyone else. That notice from Dexter is a CYA, so people don't think they can jack in the middle of the axle and not hurt anything. And I have mine hooked up to the truck because I had to tow it home, and it gives me the warm fuzzies to have it hooked up. :)
MarkTwain
Explorer
May 05, 2017
USAFBILL wrote:
Artum Snowbird wrote:
Unless it is really small and only one axle, most people just drive up onto a block so the other wheel is off the ground, then work on that one.
...X 2

Camping world sells a "Trailer Aide" block that has a slanted ramp to roll up your tire one at a time. I carry one in the 5th. wheel in case of a flat tire while on the road.
BB_TX
Nomad
May 05, 2017
I use a bottle jack under the axle between the U bolts under the springs and jack one wheel at a time an inch of so off the ground. Not hitched to the truck.
laknox
Nomad
May 05, 2017
BB_TX wrote:
I use a bottle jack under the axle between the U bolts under the springs and jack one wheel at a time an inch of so off the ground. Not hitched to the truck.

X2! One axle at a time with bottle jack under the spring perch. Opposite side wheels CHOCKED, too. All 3 sets of tires I've had installed have been done at Discount Tire and the FW was jacked under the spring perches while hitched, 2 wheels on a side at one time. =Maybe= 2" off the ground.

Lyle
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
May 05, 2017
With truck attached to RV this is a VERY safe way to work on one wheel at a time in your driveway or along the road.