Jacking up a 5er

Sarcasm detector is on :-)

The TrailerAid is so easy.

Could someone post a pic, I just can't figure out how to do so.

Thanks

Jeffrey,

Thank you for the reminder to go back and reference the
manual. Sounds like Lawyer speak ...but this would be
wagged in my face if some untoward event occurred.

...per the Al-KO manual that came with my 5th wheel (pg 13)..

"Do not work under a vehicle supported only by jacks or jack stands.
Use additional auxillary blocking. Jack or jack stands could fail
resulting in property damage, serious personal injury, or loss of life."

1) "....Never use the axle or any portion of the suspension to lift or
support the trailer. This will damage the axle and lead to
premature failure."

late edit...

...per 5ver manual that came with my 5th wheel (pg 42).....

"Position your jack on the frame of your unit close to the spring
hanger. DO NOT PLACE JACK ON AXLE." (NW caps, not mine).


For me...frame it is..., close to spring hanger.

Charles

At home on my concrete pad I use two floor jacks to raise on side of the trailer till the tires clear. All my trailers are std leaf spring suspension. Torsion axle have a lot of travel before the tires clear so be aware.

On the road I have a old 12 ton shorty hyd bottle jack that slides under my trailers axle tube next to the U bolt or the U bolt itself. Lifting one end of a 6k axle is only lifting 2500-3000 lbs which doesn't stress anything.

What ever method you use make a trial run at home. Some folks that bit into the trailer aid thing/ramp found it wouldn't lift the other axle while sitting on the side of the road.

Toetoy wrote:
My wife and I just bought our first 5er. A 1997 SeaBreeze 2033. For its age it is in excellent condition. We are getting ready to move and I need to check brakes bearings and drums. My problem is where to jack it up at. All I've read have conflicting answers. Frame, axle, drive on ramp. I'm sure this has been asked many times before. Jacking on the frame bends the frame. Jacking on the axle bends the axle. Not enough room to drive on ramp. My 5er weighs in at over 11000 lbs empty. 14000 loaded. Any help will be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Jeff H

*Most* frame mfgrs and axle mfgrs *recommend* jacking under the frame.

You can follow their recommendations -OR- folks on an internet forum.

Your choice, you decide!
As always, if you prefer best info, call the tech lines and ask.

BTW - when jacking under a frame - jack at two points on either side
of the (same side) axle/s..:W

.

Blackcell wrote:
I would think your trailer or axle manual should tell you exactly where to place the jack. I like the Trailer-Aid PLUS option and the method CREATO mentioned.

Some do some do not. I owned an 82 Air Stream once and the manual stated to never place jack under axel as it may bend the axel. With the trailer I own now there is no info about where to place the jack, and it has dexter axels.

I would think your trailer or axle manual should tell you exactly where to place the jack. I like the Trailer-Aid PLUS option and the method CREATO mentioned.

A word of caution about jacking up one side. If your front jacks are at the low end of capacity, you run the risk of bending or damaging the jack taking the weight. We have a unit that weighs 18K, when I need to check wheels, I do one at a time. If I needed to raise the entire side, I would hitch the truck up (4 way hitch), raise the rear stabs before jacking. YMMV

Jim

Do a search for TrailerAid Plus. They work great, no worries about damaging the axle and is a piece of cake to use. It is light weight and easy to store.

It is a heavy duty plastic ramp with a saddle at the top for your good tire to sit in if you have a flat or want to work on the floating axle. I have used mine many times to service my brakes and one time on the road to repair a caliper problem.

With a bottle jack if you have a flat there may not be enough room under the axle to fit the jack.

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