Jack

CavemanCharlie wrote:

TenOC wrote:

MitchF150 wrote:
This is the same jack I've had in my truck for basically 'forever'.. I don't even remember how old it is, but I've had it for a loooong time..



Mitch

Placing the bottle jack as in the photo can cause a weak spot in the frame that can cause the frame to fail. Be sure to place wood or metal to spread the force out over more of the frame. Too much weight on the small 1 inch jack. Don't ask how I know, but you can find a good used TT in NM with a broken frame if you want to use it as . . :M . . "do not move" trailer.

That's what I was thinking. Not the correct place to put a jack.

Thanks for the tips guys.. I should say that while not mentioned or in the photo, I did have jack stands on either end of the frame as well, with all the weight on the jack stands while I did this work.

No place else to put the jack, but I will remember to use a board between the frame and the top of the jack.. I used to do that, but got lazy with it... ;)

Mitch

I have used a bottle jack and boards. Now I use a Tire Aid ramp.

The most important thing is to practice changing before you need too.

Three times in the last three years, knowing what to do and how to do it, has made the difference between the DW and I being that old couple stranded on a back road waiting for some road service repairman; and an annoying 20 minute delay.

Be Prepared is more than a Boy Scout motto.

I bought a floor jack from Harbor freight and it works like a champ it is Aluminum so fairly light weight.

Not much heavier then the bottle jack I used to use but much easier and safer to use.

I put it in the back of the pickup and have used it many times once for me on side of road and numerous times helping others.

fla-gypsy wrote:
6 ton bottle jack with wood blocks to achieve needed height while on the road. At home I use a "Trailer Aid" device

Just out of curiosity, why use the trailer aid at home, but not on the road? Seems like that is the simplest choice for all locations.

6 ton bottle jack with wood blocks to achieve needed height while on the road. At home I use a "Trailer Aid" device

I had to use both - a six ton bottle jack and the screw jack from my truck. When the tire was flat, the bottle jack didn't have enough travel to get the RV high enough to put the new tire on. My truck jack isn't rated for the weight of the RV. I have to lift the RV as far as I can with the bottle jack. Slide the screw jack under to hold it in place while I unscrew the adjuster on the bottle jack. I reverse the process to let it down.

That's what I was thinking. Not the correct place to put a jack.

He has torsion axles, not springs. Where would you suggest he position the jack?

The important thing is to try your set-up at home before you really need it.
Hook up the TV and TT, let the air out of a tire and try to jack up the TT.

Torin dual ram bottle jack that extends from a min. 5 1/4" to 14 1/2" high. I'll use it under an axle and since we have overslung axles (axle on top of springs), I need to use a block of wood under the U-bolts but am going to make a saddle (steel) to fit under the U-bolts.

I can see a possible situation where you pull over and the shoulder is sloped the wrong way and jacking the frame could be risky, or where you stop and don't want to or can't move forward or back. A jack under an axle allows you to remain in the spot that you stopped. I can also use it at home for a bearing repack or brake inspection. We could use our plastic leveling blocks to make a ramp if needed.