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mhsmith's avatar
mhsmith
Explorer
Aug 11, 2020

Replace flat tire with Torflex suspension

We purchased a new to us 19 Flagstaff 29RKWS TT in April with the Torflex axles. We are using it on and off in the driveway as we have some remodelling going on in the house. Have taken a couple close by trips but before we venture out, I have been trying to figure out the best way to go about changing one. I am considering the wedges that you roll a good tire on. Our old TT was lower than this one and had springs on the axles so it was pretty easy to figure that one out.

14 Replies

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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