Jacking the travel trailer..

I have torsion axles on the RV trailer so I jack from the frame. Other trailers, I jack underneath the spring perch. Yes, always use a jackstand or cribbing. The one time your jack collapses will reveal the true cost of not using one. If a stand isn't available, slide a wheel underneath the hub so, if the jack fails, the hub and brakes will fall on a wheel and not the pavement. If your arm is in there, it may help with extraction.

myredracer wrote:

bobndot wrote:
myredracer, will that 'Trailer-aid' work on a leaf spring axle ?
Someone advised me it was for torsion axles . If it works on a leaf spring, then I will get one unless the Anderson 3604 leveler will work, I have one of those but have never used it.

Bob, some say no and some have had no problem with leaf springs. Have read that it can depend on how heavily loaded a trailer is. Putting a layer of lego leveling blocks under might do the trick if needed? Some have used just leveling blocks to make a ramp. An Anderson leveler would get the side up but how would you chock the TT to prevent it from rolling? Have it hooked up to the TV?

I just came across this odd looking device...

The tires on our camper are 31/2” apart and the trailer aid works fine for us.
That is an interesting gadget. Don’t think I’d use it if it actually touches the tube, though.

myredracer wrote:

bobndot wrote:
myredracer, will that 'Trailer-aid' work on a leaf spring axle ?
Someone advised me it was for torsion axles . If it works on a leaf spring, then I will get one unless the Anderson 3604 leveler will work, I have one of those but have never used it.

Bob, some say no and some have had no problem with leaf springs. Have read that it can depend on how heavily loaded a trailer is. Putting a layer of lego leveling blocks under might do the trick if needed? Some have used just leveling blocks to make a ramp. An Anderson leveler would get the side up but how would you chock the TT to prevent it from rolling? Have it hooked up to the TV?

I just came across this odd looking device...

Yes , I would leave it hooked up. I think I will try it and see . Tnx for the reply .

Lifting by the frame in certainly safer than trying to explain, to the not so mechanically inclined individual, already under stress from a flat tire; where to place the jack to keep from doing harm to the TT.

I purchased a Tire-Aid, works great, unless you are on soft soil.

bobndot wrote:
myredracer, will that 'Trailer-aid' work on a leaf spring axle ?
Someone advised me it was for torsion axles . If it works on a leaf spring, then I will get one unless the Anderson 3604 leveler will work, I have one of those but have never used it.

Bob, some say no and some have had no problem with leaf springs. Have read that it can depend on how heavily loaded a trailer is. Putting a layer of lego leveling blocks under might do the trick if needed? Some have used just leveling blocks to make a ramp. An Anderson leveler would get the side up but how would you chock the TT to prevent it from rolling? Have it hooked up to the TV?

I just came across this odd looking device...

Jackfate wrote:
I made a perch for my bottle jack just like the one below the spring pack. Then jack between the U bolts. Or use my home made trailer aid. Glad to see some others do the same. Jacking the frame is much more dangerous & my owners manual doesn’t have a section on jacking.

Can you post a pic? I've been thinking of making a saddle/perch to sit on top of the jack with the right curvature to match the U-bolt curvature. Would be much better than a block of wood.

For a single tire I jack under the axle as said above.
For real suspension work etc I jack on the frame and have two pair 12 ton jack stands from Harbor Freight.

myredracer, will that 'Trailer-aid' work on a leaf spring axle ?
Someone advised me it was for torsion axles . If it works on a leaf spring, then I will get one unless the Anderson 3604 leveler will work, I have one of those but have never used it.

I don't like having to jack the trailer under a frame up so high and having it tilt over to one side to re & re a wheel. I bought a Torin dual cylinder "stubby" jack like in the photo. Fits right under an axle with room to spare even if a tire was flat. Compact and light enough that it is stored under the bed. If you want both wheels off the ground at the same time, you can get the 1st wheel off with this jack, get jack stands under the frame and then jack up under the 2nd axle just enough to lift the wheel off the ground to be able to pull it off. Frame will get lifted somewhat but not as much as if jacking under the frame.

Jacking under an axle is perfectly fine providing it's only under the U-bolts and a block of wood is used. If your axle is on top of the springs, you can't damage an axle (unless it slipped off). A rolling floor jack will work great except for taking on a trip.

Remember to always use proper jack stands to support the frame and make sure they are ANSI certified. Never use RV stacker jacks because they have no ANSI certification.

For changing one flat tire, a plastic ramp like the Trailer-aid works well and is light and easy to use. If the gas line is iron pipe and not copper tubing, it likely won't get damaged but won't make a good surface to put a jack under.

And if you’re not actually under the trailer during this process that’ed be good too.
LOL