Jack recommendations for small class C motorhome

10 ton bottle jack.

I have a bottle jack (I believe mine is eight ton; it's helpful to go a bit above the minimally required rating as it makes it less effort to pump up) and a harbor freight breaker bar and appropriate sockets/extensions. The lugnut torque for the Ford E-series dually chassis are 140 ft-lbs, and I understand from some quick googling that the sprinter chassis is basically the same (assuming steel wheels). That is not terribly difficult to manage with a decent breaker bar or lug wrench.

There are low-profile, double extension bottle jacks that some say are helpful for fitting under the vehicle with a flat tire. My jack is a single-extension model, but has a screw extension at the top of the ram and so a fairly low profile, low enough that I think it will be fine in the event of a completely flat tire. Thankfully I haven't had to test that part out (yet).

You likely already know this, but standard AAA coverage doesn't apply to RVs; you need AAA Plus (or Premier) with the added RV coverage option.

Also dont forget to have at least a 3/4 inch thick piece of plywood to set the jack on so it has a solid base. I got a 10-12t jack from harbor freight, it was one of the display ones that didnt have a box. $10!

Also for hot roads I carry a large thick towel or a carpet to lay on. One of the yoga mats work also. As to lug wrench get one of the electric ones from HF, $39 now on sale. Socket set also with extension, start the generator, plug in and go to work. Easier than a lug wrench and straining. I also have a 110v `30 psi HF compressor to air the tires. Plan to carry in the towd.

join coach net ,and let them change it. without the right tools your looking for bit of trouble.

midnightsadie wrote:
join coach net ,and let them change it. without the right tools your looking for bit of trouble.

What if you are in the middle of the desert with no cell signal? That was my thoughts on this trip. I have AT&T cell phone and I was in some pretty desolate areas and didn't have cell signals for miles. I have AAA RV, but it wouldn't do me much good if I couldn't reach them. I guess I could carry a satellite phone, but I would imagine the wait time for them to get there would be hours. Thoughts?

THIS

Currently unavailable on Amazon. They're selling one called "Strongway" and this pic is a "Torin" brand. I show it to illustrate its DOUBLE RAM feature. Most Bottle Jacks are Standard or Shorty. A Standard may not fit under your axle when a tire is flat. A Shorty will fit, but may not lift high enough to mount your inflated spare. A Double Ram, starts out Shorty but lifts as high as Standard because the ram telescopes out. Price is nearly double a Shorty or Standard, but it's sure to do your job.

12-ton isn't because a Class C weighs 12 tons. More like 7 tons max and you are lifting more or less a corner of it. The problem is, the jack has to work in an awkward location, under the coach. All that reserve capacity makes the jack easy enough to operate, that you can actually raise the coach from under there.

You also need blocks or a jack stand to support it. If you have an OEM lug wrench, get an extension pipe. If you don't have one, a 20-some-inch "Four Way" meant for trucks not cars, will get you through a roadside tire change. If you have a Ford, torque is "only" 140-ft-lb.

HawkTX wrote:

midnightsadie wrote:
join coach net ,and let them change it. without the right tools your looking for bit of trouble.

What if you are in the middle of the desert with no cell signal? That was my thoughts on this trip. I have AT&T cell phone and I was in some pretty desolate areas and didn't have cell signals for miles. I have AAA RV, but it wouldn't do me much good if I couldn't reach them. I guess I could carry a satellite phone, but I would imagine the wait time for them to get there would be hours. Thoughts?

I have a spare tire, jack, and lug nut wrench. Seems a lot of folks on this forum think there is cell service everywhere. Some of them don't wander much.

pauldub wrote:

HawkTX wrote:


What if you are in the middle of the desert with no cell signal? I have AAA RV, but it wouldn't do me much good if I couldn't reach them. I would imagine the wait time for them to get there would be hours.

I have a spare tire, jack, and lug nut wrench. Seems a lot of folks on this forum think there is cell service everywhere. Some of them don't wander much.

Eggs-Act-Lee RIGHT!

With a mounted spare and my own tools and jack, I can...

...Wait for ERS and let them change it

...Provide ERS with something they might be missing like the right size socket

...Have another traveler help me

...Help another traveler

...Change it myself if there isn't a better option

I was in this situation once. I have a 8 ton bottle jack with the screw up extension like mentioned above. I also have an extra long Snap-On breaker bar with 1/2 inch extensions to clear the tire. If I recall I think I carried a 7/8 impact socket for the lugs. If you have the chrome wheel covers, then you need the tool to unscrew the two chrome lug caps to get the cover off. It's good to carry a 4x4 block and a 2x4 also just in case. You also need a portable light if it's at night. The cellphone flashlight would do the trick. This happened 10 years ago, and I'm getting too old to hoist tires. The comment about having Coachnet is a good one.

Realistically, a three ton hydraulic jack will lift any corner of your RV unless you have it way,way over loaded. For ease of operation a 6 ton will be fine.