Seems there is a lot of controversy over where to place a jack on a 2-axle travel trailer to change a single tire or service wheel bearings. Experts say under the U-bolt plate is not OK because of the danger of bending the axle. Question is how can the axle get bent when you are lifting the suspension system at the U-bolt location which is built to handle it. Same as driving the single wheel up on a 2 inch board. Some experts say to place the jack under the frame behind the wheel which appears to me to invite damage to the frame more so than the axle method. Also, this way the trailer has to be lifted quite high for the springs to extend and lift the tire off the ground. Under the U-bolt only requires a few inches to get the tire up.Please enlighten me!

Use a home built wooden ramp on the good tire on a tandem axle. Safer. Faster. Easier.

Who are these “experts” you refer to?

nickthehunter wrote:Who are these “experts” you refer to?Perhaps from the "horses mouth", the axle manufacturers?See page 40 HEREAlthough I suspect Dexters take is out of concern with the fact that axles can be over slung or under slung and/or not many flat places to safely use a jack without the potential for it to slip or pop out from under the suspension components..I am sure that somewhere along the lines folks most likely have used the axle tube and damaged it..

On our Airstream there is a small aluminum square about a foot in back of the axle on each side and is used to mark the jacking point. Under no circumstances should the jack be used on the axle.

I have jacked anything from a single axle utility trailer to a loaded semi by placing the jack under the plate that is secured by the u-bolts. As you proceed it compresses the leaf springs and eventually raises the tire. The axle stays straight. That is the safest way to lift a trailer. Started doing that in 1972. Lifted hundreds of Semi's that way. Travel trailers the same. Stay away from the axle UNLESS it is on a semi trailer. A travel trailer axle is just a pipe, and a weak one at that.

Jacking For Tire Change | Good Sam Community

klutchdust
Explorer II
Sep 05, 2022
at home Air/hydraulic 20 ton bottle jack. On the road, 20 ton bottle jack. A few blocks of wood.
WinMinnie02
Explorer
Aug 30, 2022
OP how did you do? Jacking up a Class C front or rear is interesting as well. Bottle jack 8 tons, 6 tons jack stands, sockets, breaker bar, impact wrench, wood, and lots of patience.
StirCrazy
Moderator
Aug 30, 2022
JRscooby wrote:
B-n-B wrote:

This exact jack would not get under a flat tire on my trailer, at least not under the spring perch. I carry a small floor jack with a 1x6 if needed.

Do you also carry the important part needed to safely use that jack? By that I mean a floor.
With no load on it, run the jack up. Notice the lift pad goes up in a arc? Normal lifting, the pad stays in contact with lifting point be cause the jack rolls under the load. If the wheels are setting on soft or rough surface the pad must slide on you lift point. At least you're not under when it drops.

if your jacking the axel just enough to take the tire off the ground its no issue. I just did all my wheel berrings yesterday and jacked under the axel on gravel just enough that the tire would rotate, but I could see what you are talking about if you have to change a flat.
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Aug 29, 2022
Jack up the trailer just to change one flat tire or all of them ??? This otta' be could.
Fisherman
Explorer
Aug 25, 2022
Texas Nomad wrote:
Interesting discussion! Everyone stay tuned because on October 1st I'm going to start a brand new thread titled: Just Had a Flat ... What's the Best Way to Jack Up My Trailer? :):):)

:B Don't forget the right sized socket.
Texas_Nomad
Explorer
Aug 25, 2022
Interesting discussion! Everyone stay tuned because on October 1st I'm going to start a brand new thread titled: Just Had a Flat ... What's the Best Way to Jack Up My Trailer? :):):)
Mike134
Explorer
Aug 18, 2022
bump
klutchdust
Explorer II
Aug 18, 2022
PButler96 wrote:
After reading through 7 pages could someone tell me the size and type of jack I need to lift a pallet of Tylenol?

Experience proves what works. The lack of that is very clear here.

Like Mike Tyson said "everyone has a plan until you get punched in the mouth"
PButler96
Explorer
Aug 18, 2022
After reading through 7 pages could someone tell me the size and type of jack I need to lift a pallet of Tylenol?
wanderingbob
Explorer II
Aug 17, 2022
Back aways Grit Dog said a man should be able to pick out a good lookin girl at 100 yards . At 78 years old I can see good enuff to pick em out but ain't noway that I could pick em up unless they weigh less than 30 lbs !