I plan to jack up the 5th wheel in order to lubricate the wheel bearings while the RV is in storage. Normally the hitch is not installed in my truck while the RV is in storage. Is there any problem with jacking up the RV while the landing legs are down? I wonder about taking the weight off of only one of the landing legs and whether this will bend or stress the other leg.

When I had someone do my wheel bearings a few years ago he jacked up one side at a time with the landing gears down. I was concerned but he informed me that I had nothing to worry about since he normally leaves the jacks down. To be honest I don't think I would do this in the future. If I wanted wheel bearing (or brake) work done I'd hitch the fiver to the truck first. Common sense tells me you would be putting too much strain on one landing gear otherwise.BTW, my fiver incurred no damage at all but I'd still be concerned.

I always hitch up when I jack up the 5er. This assures the trailer will not roll and takes the weight off the landing gear. You'll probably be OK if you only jacked one axle up just enough to get the wheel off.

dbbls wrote:I always hitch up when I jack up the 5er. This assures the trailer will not roll and takes the weight off the landing gear. You'll probably be OK if you only jacked one axle up just enough to get the wheel off.X 2 BIG TIME!Jacking up one side with the landing gear down is going to apply extreme torque to the chassis as the legs will resist the rolling movement you are trying to achieve. I suggest that is NOT a good idea:E

Jacking up one axle end at a time enough to get the wheel off isn't going to twist the frame enough to significantly unload the landing gear

Get a TrailerAid Plus and do one wheel at a time safely.

Do you jack up your 5th wheel with the landing gear down?

Puddles
Explorer
May 25, 2013
gkerlin wrote:
TubaPete wrote:
"Do you jack up your 5th wheel with the landing gear down?" Yes. I know one side gets a lot more weight than the other, but these things do have a margin of error (safety factor) built in.

Just curious... what engineering documents and/or technical specifications for the OP's specific landing gear did you consult before you advised him that his landing gear had a built in safety factor?

If none - then where did you get that knowledge to pass along as fact, that he was safe jacking the trailer while supported on his specific make of landing gear?

I mean come on... We constantly hear about broken frames, blown tires, busted springs and axles etc. Seems to me that safety margin went the way of the dinosaurs.

Responsible advice is to play it safe and hook up.

X2
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
May 25, 2013
TrailerAid Plus, so simple and so safe. I guess no one wants to think outside the box!
gkerlin
Explorer
May 25, 2013
TubaPete wrote:
"Do you jack up your 5th wheel with the landing gear down?" Yes. I know one side gets a lot more weight than the other, but these things do have a margin of error (safety factor) built in.

Just curious... what engineering documents and/or technical specifications for the OP's specific landing gear did you consult before you advised him that his landing gear had a built in safety factor?

If none - then where did you get that knowledge to pass along as fact, that he was safe jacking the trailer while supported on his specific make of landing gear?

I mean come on... We constantly hear about broken frames, blown tires, busted springs and axles etc. Seems to me that safety margin went the way of the dinosaurs.

Responsible advice is to play it safe and hook up.
redfire2002
Explorer
May 25, 2013
If you put the jack under the axle and jack up just enough to pull the tire, your putting the weight thats normaly on that tire to the jack. All your doing is compressing the springs alittle, its not like your jacking it to pull both tires off the same side at the same time. No need to hook up to TV and this way is safe
TubaPete
Explorer
May 25, 2013
"Do you jack up your 5th wheel with the landing gear down?" Yes. I know one side gets a lot more weight than the other, but these things do have a margin of error (safety factor) built in.
wandering1
Explorer
May 25, 2013
GMT830 wrote:
Jacking up one axle end at a time enough to get the wheel off isn't going to twist the frame enough to significantly unload the landing gear

x2
ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
May 25, 2013
GMT830 wrote:
Cinder blocks are notoriously week when standing alone. They should not be used to support a vehicle of any kind.

Amen!

Cinder blocks = "Design for Disaster".!!.:S..:(

Back to the OP's question.....

Done it both ways with no ill effects.

However - "we" aren't on "the hook" for repairs if the OP tweaks something!

Best CYA advice (for him & "us") is hitch up, and jack under the frame, with landing gear retracted)..:C

~
GMT830
Explorer
May 25, 2013
Cinder blocks are notoriously weak when standing alone. They should not be used to support a vehicle of any kind.

I had to correct my spelling of weak. Siri has been having trouble with it all week lol
Greentreena
Explorer
May 25, 2013
I did it once and the cinder block the jack was on broke into pieces, since then I've hooked the truck up prior to jacking the trailer. There was no damage but I don't want to take any chances.
hotrod4x5
Explorer
May 25, 2013
I did it once, jacked up each side (one side at a time), to get new tires. Left it sit that way for at least an hour per side while I took the wheels to the store. Didn't seem to do any damage that I could detect.