PA State Inspection

Lynnmor wrote:
Every day we read of tire, brake, axle and wheel bearing problems on these forums. I wonder how many of these problems are caused by "mechanics" that perform annual safety inspections.
I have had so many problems with these inspections that I refused to have my trailer inspected for the last two years. Now PA has stepped up enforcement on the PA turnpike with an officer doing nothing all day long but look for stickers.
So I take my trailer to a local inspection station. The "mechanic" rolls out the largest floor jack that I have ever seen. I told him that he is not to use it because he can't jack anywhere near the wheel. He says "You don't like it when someone tells you how to do your job, the state tells me how to do mine, now just how do you want it jacked?" I told him that I don't want him to jack it and left.
If I would not have been there watching this monkey, he likely would have bent both axles.

YOU are wrong.

The jack CAN be placed anywhere EXCEPT the MIDDLE of the axle tube (the middle of the axle tube is the weakest point and has an intentional "bow" or "camber" built in, jacking here can bend or damage the tube).

I am not sure as to how you PLAN to change tires or inspect the brakes without JACKING UP the axle.

The best place for the jack is DIRECTLY UNDER the AXLE where the AXLE IS BOLTED TO the springs. This places the LEAST amount of stress on the axle and suspension.

Alternately if that can not be done then jack under the spring as close as possible to the AXLE.

Do not jack on the spring mounts or the equalizer.

If you are jacking on the FRAME of the trailer you ARE risking DAMAGING THE FRAME. The reason for this is you have to jack the frame considerably MORE to unload the springs in order to get the wheel off the ground. In effect you are TWISTING the frame to make that happen.

The inspection mechanic WAS doing it right in fact my mechanic has used a semi truck lift to lift the entire trailer off all four wheels at the same time. Placed the jack pads exactly under the point where the axle tubes are connected to the springs.

Believe it or not most PA inspection mechanics DO "know their stuff", I have only run into a couple of mechanics over the years that actually didn't have a clue.

Take it back and get it inspected...

On edit, the only other exception would be if you have TORSION suspension, on that type you are to place the jack BESIDE the tube basically on the frame. This will jack the entire frame up but places less stress on the frame. Jacking on a torsion axle can damage it.

Shortly after I bought my 2004 Rockwood I dedcided to upgrade the tires to a higher load rating. I called Rockwood tech line and asked them where I should jack from. They said to put the jack under the axle. Just in case, I called AL-KO, who made my torsion axles. AL-KO said absolutely not to jacking under the axle, frame jacking only. So much for Rockwood giving the correct information about jacking under the axle.

I place a floor jack under the frame between the tires with an 18" long 2"x4"x 1/8" thick steel steel rectangular tube on top of the jack pad, which distributes the force over an 18" long section of frame. These frames seem easily damaged, so I don't take any chances.

Steve

Directions for changing tire on my trailer specify putting the jack under the frame near the tire...not under the axle. I think anyone performing inspections should at least take time to find out where a jack should be used for that specific unit.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
So how did you want him to do it?

And why do you think he would have bent the axles?

The jack was so large that it would have contacted the axle well inboard. Anyone that has a clue knows that you should not place a jack towards the center of an axle. After seeing how incompetent he was, I didn't want him doing anything else.

Lynnmor wrote:
I have had so many problems with these inspections that I refused to have my trailer inspected for the last two years. Now PA has stepped up enforcement on the PA turnpike with an officer doing nothing all day long but look for stickers.

ALL State Troopers look for inspection stickers, not just one assigned to the turnpike. :W

How do you change a flat tire?

So how did you want him to do it?

And why do you think he would have bent the axles?