kind of a dumb question, but how do you all jack up your tandem axel T/T if you have a flat or something. I have a duel axel car trailer and have used a wedged block on the good wheel and pulled it up onto it. this would lift the other wheel. then there's the truck jack but usually a pain to get to.Jay D.

As you did with your car trailer....good wheel up on blocksJack flat tire up by axle.....place jack under spring perch and jack it upBuy a 'trailer aid' to use in place of blocksCarry LOTS of wood to use as cribbing to build platform for jack so you can raise TT via framePersonally I just use a jack under the spring perch

Some people use a ramped leveled similar to your wedge block. I've got a 9 ton bottle jack and blocks of wood. I can add blocks under the jack if needed and I place the piston to lift on the ibeam next to the spring perch by the flat tire.

Andersen makes a "wedge" to life one axle of a tandem axle TT.

If the springs are under the axle, simply place a scissors jack under the U-bolt plate. If the axle is under the spring, make a block that contacts the u-bolts and the axle for the scissors jack to spread the load. I made shock mounts that have jack points.I suggested a scissors jack because they are more stable and will have a low height for changing a flat tire. If you have torsion axles, you may have to jack the frame.

I’m a ramp guy...homemade...on the good tire.

JACKING UP YOUR T/T | Good Sam Community

Community Alumni
Jan 09, 2018
Lynnmor wrote:
I guess the road service guys are disposable? They can play in traffic for all we care? :R

In all fairness, the service guys are probably better equipped to play out in traffic than your average RVer. Chances are you're going to have someone show up that's highly visible, some good warning lights, and all the tools to get the job do quickly. They know what to watch out for, how to operate in dangerous conditions, probably have years of experience, and professional training.

I carry roadside assistance, but choose to perform my own work in most situations since I can handle it. It's just there just in case though. However, I wouldn't disparage anyone for depending on them vs. doing the work themselves. They are the pros after all. It's better than having some poor sap on the side of the road trying to figure out how to change his tire while his wife frantically waves a towel over her head to warn traffic.
rbpru
Explorer II
Jan 09, 2018
Both my TT flats were in an area were I could pull into a parking lot.

Believe me I have changed lots of car flats over the years, either you pull over safe enough off the road or you become a product of Darwinism and no long add to the gene pool. :)
Lynnmor
Explorer
Jan 09, 2018
I guess the road service guys are disposable? They can play in traffic for all we care? :R
Community Alumni
Jan 09, 2018
Waiting for the service guy to show up is just as dangerous. Until they arrive you're just a sitting duck waiting to be picked off by someone not paying attention. The longer you're stranded on the side of the road the greater your chances are of being involved in an incident. Changing your tire within feet of passing traffic can be dangerous, but the trade off is that it can be done fairly quickly minimizing the amount of time spent in a dangerous situation on the side of the road.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Jan 09, 2018
Lynnmor wrote:
3oaks wrote:
MarkTwain wrote:
When I get a flat on my trailer, I call Good Sam Emergency Road side Service, open a cool drink, open up my news paper and relax:):)
I would have the tire changed and on my way long before they got there. I found out long ago, self service is the best service. ;)

That is as long as I am still able. :@

I agree with that. You also run the risk of the service guy jacking it up improperly causing damage. Even some of the wonderful PA inspection stations want to jack towards the center of the axle.

IMHO, Changing a trailer tire when you are on a multi lane freeway can get real dangerous, especially when you have little or no room to pull the trailer off the road. Crawling under the trailer, laying on dirt or dirty roads, especially if it is in the hot summer times is not my 1st choice to changing a tire.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Jan 09, 2018
WayneAt63044 wrote:
I use a bottle jack positioned as mentioned above on the axle of interest. Beware that your lug nuts holding the spare may be a different size than those on the axles.

Just curious, why would the mfg. use different sized lug nut on the spare tire. I had heard of this from other people but never experienced it myself on my trailer.??????????
GrandpaKip
Explorer II
Jan 09, 2018
At home, I either use a floor jack under the springs or the trailer aid.
I have both a 4 ton bottle jack and the trailer aid on the road.
rbpru
Explorer II
Jan 08, 2018
Old Biscuit

I have no argument with your approach it certainly works.

But, as the tech said, " I do not know the skill level of the people we sell TTs to". So the frame is a safe bet.

As you pointed out, the big draw back is the amount of lumber it takes to bridge the gap.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Jan 08, 2018
3oaks wrote:
MarkTwain wrote:
When I get a flat on my trailer, I call Good Sam Emergency Road side Service, open a cool drink, open up my news paper and relax:):)
I would have the tire changed and on my way long before they got there. I found out long ago, self service is the best service. ;)

That is as long as I am still able. :@

I agree with that. You also run the risk of the service guy jacking it up improperly causing damage. Even some of the wonderful PA inspection stations want to jack towards the center of the axle.
3oaks
Explorer
Jan 08, 2018
MarkTwain wrote:
When I get a flat on my trailer, I call Good Sam Emergency Road side Service, open a cool drink, open up my news paper and relax:):)
I would have the tire changed and on my way long before they got there. I found out long ago, self service is the best service. ;)

That is as long as I am still able. :@