lifting/raising fifth wheel
I have a simple/stupid question. Since I am not supposed to lift my fifth wheel by jacking under the axles, how am I supposed to do it? I want to service my trailer brakes but my jack does not exte...
Forum Discussion
I'm certain some will disagree with me, but I've done this twice with no problems.
I leave the Monty a little nose down and put the stabilizers out all the way (and a little further). I then lift most of the weight off the axles by putting the landing gear out until the 5er is level. This doesn't lift the tires off the ground, but DOES take most of the weight off the axles. I can then lift them with a floor or bottle jack on the U bolts - NOT on the axle tube. Once the wheels are off, if I need to, I can use jack stands to hold the axle as there's little weight once dropped down a few inches. Just lift them back up with a jack on the U bolt to put the tire back on.
The first time I did this I had all four wheels off to get new tires (they wouldn't even try jacking the unit). Second was to install wet bolts myself. The big thing is not to strain either the stabilizers or the landing gear. I also used a jack stand on each side the frame to help stabilize the middle portion.
I leave the Monty a little nose down and put the stabilizers out all the way (and a little further). I then lift most of the weight off the axles by putting the landing gear out until the 5er is level. This doesn't lift the tires off the ground, but DOES take most of the weight off the axles. I can then lift them with a floor or bottle jack on the U bolts - NOT on the axle tube. Once the wheels are off, if I need to, I can use jack stands to hold the axle as there's little weight once dropped down a few inches. Just lift them back up with a jack on the U bolt to put the tire back on.
The first time I did this I had all four wheels off to get new tires (they wouldn't even try jacking the unit). Second was to install wet bolts myself. The big thing is not to strain either the stabilizers or the landing gear. I also used a jack stand on each side the frame to help stabilize the middle portion.
