Replace flat tire with Torflex suspension

Jacking points have nothing to do with the suspension.

I always prefer to jack under a section of the frame rail, near the flat tire, that is well reinforced. If you are don't feel that the frame can handle more than 50% of the gross weight of the trailer, buy a piece of 1/4"-1/2" steel a bit wider than the bottom of the frame rail and 6"-10" long. Place that between the top of the jack and the frame.

If you jack does not have enough lift, build up UNDERNEATH the jack with blocks of wood placed perpendicular to the jack base. Worst case you may need 2 or 3 layers.

Remember, scissors jack start to get unstable once the are past about 50% of their maximum lift.

Not cheap, but this has a built in jack stand so no chance of hydraulic failure injuring someone. Powerbuilt Unijack - 6000 lb. Capacity

That is kinda neat. I prefer close to the wheel so I don't have to lift it higher than needed as the wheel assembly drops...such as under a control arm as compared to the frame. I will definitely look into that jack as it may be the ticket for my use. Will have to 'flatten' a tire to check measurements for this use. Thanks

theoldwizard1 wrote:


I always prefer to jack under a section of the frame rail, near the flat tire, that is well reinforced.

If you jack does not have enough lift, build up UNDERNEATH the jack with blocks of wood placed perpendicular to the jack base. Worst case you may need 2 or 3 layers.

Remember, scissors jack start to get unstable once the are past about 50% of their maximum lift.

Not cheap, but this has a built in jack stand so no chance of hydraulic failure injuring someone. Powerbuilt Unijack - 6000 lb. Capacity

Why would you jack up the frame and have to lift it twice? as high? That makes no sense and I'd like to see how that is accomplished with any bottle jack including the combo contraption you posted. Barely enough travel in a typical bottle jack to get a tire all the way up lifting under the axle, much less taking the load off the suspension as well.

OP, I currently have 2 different tandem axle trailers with torsion sprung axles. I jack them up from the axles every time and have with virtually every other trailer and vehicle if it's possible to do.
Put the jack directly under the axle as close to the outboard end of the axle as you can. Just like you were thinking.
You are right on the ramps though and ramping the good wheel up to lift the flat one works even better on a torsion axle than it does on a leaf spring axle, as the 2 axles aren't connected by the pivot on leaf spring axles, so one doesn't have to ramp up as high to get the flat off the ground.

Why flatten a tire to check for measurements, just subtract the height of the sidewall from the distance between ground and your jacking point, not rocket science. To lift my torflex axle on my cargo trailer, I put the jacks lift point directly under where the stub axle and swing arm meet. Pretty easy and fast.

The wedges work fine. I also carry bottle jacks in case stuff goes bad. Along with a lot of wood. Lol. But ibe only had to use the wedge so far.

Thanks guys ...that was the kinda info I was looking for.

Another Trailer Aid user. I also use it when I repack wheel bearings. On my trailer, there is only one spot, directly between the wheels where I can get a jack because of the underbelly covering. The trailer aid, IMO, is safer out in the field where it can be difficult to get a solid, level place to put a jack. YMMV

Some with torsion type axles say the trailer aid type ramps doesn't work with that type suspension.
Whatever method you use make a dry run at home to see if it works. Out in the middle of no where isn't the place to find out it didn't work.

I use the Andersen Rapid Jack for my Torflex axles on my fifth wheel. It doesn't take much roll-on to lift the other tire. I am comfortable using this item as I average 2,100# per wheel and my tires are rated for 3,400#. An annual bearing check on my trailer requires lifting the tire, rotating it and hand side load it for play. With the Rapid Jack, I can do all four wheels in less than half an hour. It comes with a rubber friction mat which is neccessary.

I have a Rockwood Windjammer that has the same Dexter TorFlex suspension. I just use a bottle jack on the bottom of the steel beam between the two tires. Do not put jack on the axle tube, you'll bend the tube and damage the suspension parts inside the tube.