Forum Discussion

abc40kids's avatar
abc40kids
Explorer
Apr 19, 2015

Jacking up my fifth wheel

I know this has been talked to death but sometime before my next trip out which for now is Memorial Day I need to get my new tire on. My tires are new but only as rated and Chinese. I'm going witj the G Saliun's and will take them to my shop one or maybe two at the time.

So my first question is how many hook the truck to the fifth wheel while changing tires and why?

Second question, my last fiver I used a large bottle Jack under the leaf spring between the u-bolts and jacked just till the fire raised off the ground. I know most manufac. say Jack by the frame which is kinda high. I could easily make it work by cutting some 2x6's and screwing them together and set the bottle Jack on that???

I'm in no hurry at all so would rather do it the best way. Thanks
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Apr 19, 2015
    The suspension is bolted to the axle and handles all the dynamics of weight/load/stress just fine so I have NO problem with jacking a tire off the ground with a jack under the leaf springs.

    I do one side at a time (both wheels-----1 jack and then 2 jack stands while gone off to shop) not hooked to truck cause I use it to take tires to shop.

    I only jack high enough to get tire to clear ground.

    IF jacking higher then I would build cribbing and use frame.
  • Bayley's avatar
    Bayley
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2015
    First it's best to hook up the truck for stability as well as avoiding pressure on the front landing legs.
    If you're just changing a tire, using the bottle jack is the fastest.
    If you're adjusting brakes then the bottle jack gets in the way of the adjustment hole behind the hub.
    If you're adjusting brakes or repacking bearings the best way to go is to drive one wheel up on blocks to bring the other tire off the ground.
    But in doing this I also use the bottle jack to support the axle I'm working on while I repack the bearings and then remove the jack to adjust the brakes and then drive off the blocks.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Apr 19, 2015
    Your right the first time. Jack under the spring perch. First time I took two at a time to the tire shop, Second time I took the trailer to them and they did it in the drive way while I waited.

About Fifth Wheel Group

19,007 PostsLatest Activity: Feb 28, 2025