Forum Discussion

Walaby's avatar
Walaby
Explorer II
Oct 11, 2016

Jack Options

This past weekend, I had a flat on my TT. I have a bottle jack, and the flat occurred in the campground. Easy enough.. bust out the bottle jack, and went to jack up axle. Bottle jack was about an inch or two, too tall to fit under the axle with the flat. Luckily I was on dirt/gravel, so easy enough to scoop out a few inches. But, pointed out to me, that if I have a flat on concrete/hard surface, my bottle jack won't work (too tall).

I could look for a shorter one, but was also looking for a scissor jack that could work. I'd like to find something that has a 'cradle' for the axle. Anyone have any suggestions? I know some folks roll the good wheel on the same side up on a ramp and it will lift the flat tire up high enough to take off, so maybe I should go that route instead.

Mike
Seeking Advice

7 Replies

  • tinner12002's avatar
    tinner12002
    Explorer
    Oct 14, 2016
    I made a small adapter to fit on top of my bottle jack with a radius on top of it to fit the axle. Not something I would use to crawl under it while using but will work good just to help keep the jack centered under the axle while changing the tire. Another option is a scisser jack like the ones used to support the rear of an RV. They already have the nut on them so a battery drill can be used to run them up and down.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Oct 12, 2016
    Most of the sizzors jacks I've seen are a bit anemic for Lifting RV's. I do have a floor jack but it's only 2 tons.. I have been known to position the jack not under the axle, Jack up, "Drop" (lower gently) down onto a jack stand, Reposition and do it again and again to get the jack to where it needs to be.. Worked too.
  • Walaby's avatar
    Walaby
    Explorer II
    Oct 12, 2016
    Didn't think about using the scissor jack for the truck until later as I was heading home. That should work just fine as well.

    I've got those leveling lego's. Hopefully those would work as well to get the axle up high enough to use the bottle jack.

    I was just thinking having the scissor jack with a little 'cradle' for the trailer axle would be a nice to have for stability. But, not like I will be changing flat tires each trip (hopefully).

    Thanks

    Mike
  • jamway's avatar
    jamway
    Explorer
    Oct 12, 2016
    I have used the jack that came with our pickup. I worked great.
  • mbopp's avatar
    mbopp
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2016
    I got 2 scissors jacks at a flea market ($5) to use for supplimental stability. I just put a piece of 1" board under the spring U-bolts and use the scissors jack to lift the axle.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Oct 11, 2016
    Wrecking yards sell all forms of scissor Jacks out of wrecks. Pick one from a pickip.
  • PawPaw_n_Gram's avatar
    PawPaw_n_Gram
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2016
    I always pull the not flat tire on that side of the TT up onto a couple wood blocks I normally use for leveling. Just so that there is enough tire on the ground to break the lug nuts loose/ tighten them snug.

    Bottle jacks always fit under the axle at that point, and I only have to jack up the rig about one inch, or less.

    Everybody has something they use for leveling that will work. Don't need to buy something special.

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