Jacking up class C motorhome

Question

I had gathered from my ford e450 chassis manual that jacking points are located on axles, slightly beyond suspension and steering hardware.

Can you help clarifying how to jack to to change a tire or to shove boards under the wheel when stuck

The manual only mentions using a "provided jack" and just using that one jack throughout but its generic e450 manual not specific to motorhomes (RV manual just sneakily tells to call "roadside assistance" good luck with that where I camp), no jack was included.

I got 12 ton bottle jack and axle cradle adapter for it. My understanding if I use it I must then use jack stand(s) to support the weight right after I lifted it. Motorhome is about 13000 lbs GCWR.

To hold just one tire up for a short time - can I use just one 6 ton jack stand placed under the axle right next to bottle jack? Or, can I get away with two 3 ton jack stands instead? If I use two, do I just place them right next to each other under the end of the axle? My rear tires are duallies, basically I would have to climb under to place a jack. Wonder whats better. Then, shouldn't there be a way to find alternative frame jack points on the side, to lift without crawling under, at least for rear duallies?

stircrazy · Answer

what I would do is drive across a scale while fully loaded for camping and see what you front axel weighs and what your back axel weighs.&nbsp; then find a jackstand set that rated for more than the highest axel.&nbsp; I am assuming that your rear axel is well under 12000lbs haha so the 3 ton pair will work just fine.&nbsp;&nbsp;
there are frame point you can use, but the problem is you have to jack it higher because the suspension will drop a bit.&nbsp; so usually it is faster just to lift the axel.&nbsp; one thing to not which ever you decide to go with put some squares of 3/4" plywood to put under the jack and jackstands incase you have to di it on a dirt road.

community alumni · Answer

For sure. I carry some 2x6 pieces in the MH. Last time I needed it was on collapsing sandy soil that was easily turning into dust but called offroad recovery to pull me out. When rear drive duallies are burying already, getting the jacks under the axle might be a no go that's why I wonder about frame points which are higher and can be accessed without crawling under, when your tail pipe is already close to touching the ground its easier to dig space outside on the edge.

As to 2 3 ton jacks....is it more or less stable to use one 6 ton jack versus two 3 ton ones? I'd think having single point of failure with all weight on it is worse that having 2 jacks in play? And do I place them right next to each other under axle? (I wonder if this can stress the axle too much having one jack too far towards its middle, the official lift point is right next to the end)

community alumni · Answer

Frankly I dont think I should be using jack stands, bottle jack should be supporting it for long enough to shove something under the tire. I dont see myself getting jack stands under the axle when its stuck low and needs a dig out to begin with. Unless I can a find jack point on the body and not on the axle like the manual says. I can pump the bottle jack without getting under even if its under the axlr if I use a pipe for handle extension.&nbsp;

stircrazy · Answer

woh, now your talking about something different, this went from changing a tire to digging out when you are stuck.&nbsp; two totally different situations, stuck, no I wouldn't put jack stands or even a bottle jack , its Infront of the tire and/or behind you have to dig, but if you are stuck enough the axel is buried then you have to get right under to dig, then yes you should be putting jack stands down.&nbsp; changing a tire, I would put a jackstand under just to be safe while I am changing that tire.&nbsp; I have seen bottle jacks pop out.&nbsp;&nbsp;

community alumni · Answer

Its really the same situation. Not asking about digging out, been there done that. Assume everything is already dug out. Not really talking about buried to the axle case, just wheels buried a bit, this restricts under axle space. I definitely do not want to crawl under to place jack stands on this kind of soft and unstable ground while bottle jack is holding it all up. So my question boils down to alternative jacking points that do not require going under. As to using a bottle jack I dont see a harm as I can use handle extension to pump it without being under the RV. My questionis now if e450 got lift points other than axles.&nbsp;

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Jacking up class C motorhome

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