Forum Discussion

Nate_and_Shady's avatar
Nate_and_Shady
Explorer
Apr 07, 2015

Leveling a Travel Trailer

Is it safe to level a travel trailer using jack stands to support the axel and leaving the tires off the ground without putting anything under them? I know usually you would put wood blocks down and drive up on them. My issue is I have travel trailer on a permanent site now and the sewer hookup is very low to the ground coming off the trailer. I need to raise the trailer up so the sewer pipe sits higher so it flows down the pipe and into the sewer. I thought about just putting the trailer on jack stands on the axel and of course the stabilizer jacks onto cinder blocks. Has anyone done this? Thanks for the feedback.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Apr 07, 2015
    I've jacked mine up and rested it with jack stands under the axles many times. Those axles are a lot stronger than people think.
  • samsontdog's avatar
    samsontdog
    Explorer
    Apr 07, 2015
    I have TTs, 5th Ws, Park Models, that I own and rent out in Yuma and all of them have the wheels off. No problems in the 15 years that I have them set up on my lots. I put MH jacks under the frames, 4 under each side etc
  • Terryallan's avatar
    Terryallan
    Explorer II
    Apr 07, 2015
    mpfireman wrote:
    Your trailer jacks are not intended to LIFT your trailer, but to limit the sway or bounce when set up. When backing up your unit, see how level the unit is, if down on one side, use blocks like 2"x6" to place under the low side wheel's. If you unit is now level, disconnect the tow vehicle from the trailer, and then use the trailers jacks to stabilize your unit. In no instance should you have your wheels off the ground, unless you are changing a tire.


    Read it again. Not using the Stabs to raise the TT. Jack stands under the axle.

    Which could still be a bad idea. Put the jack stands to far out on the axle, and you could bend them. Just raise the TT, and put them under the frame.
  • mpfireman's avatar
    mpfireman
    Explorer
    Apr 07, 2015
    Your trailer jacks are not intended to LIFT your trailer, but to limit the sway or bounce when set up. When backing up your unit, see how level the unit is, if down on one side, use blocks like 2"x6" to place under the low side wheel's. If you unit is now level, disconnect the tow vehicle from the trailer, and then use the trailers jacks to stabilize your unit. In no instance should you have your wheels off the ground, unless you are changing a tire.
  • Campfire_Time's avatar
    Campfire_Time
    Explorer
    Apr 07, 2015
    It depends on the axle. For example, you can't put jacks or jack stand under Dexter Torflex axles. Some frames for ultralight trailers are not supposed to have a jack put under them except where the axles mount to.

    I'm not sure why you wouldn't still use wood boards or some sort of block, even if you have to jack it up and place something under the wheels.

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