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ESDA's avatar
ESDA
Explorer
Jan 21, 2018

Trailer Jack

Anyone have any suggestions for a trailer jack for changing a tire on the side of the road in an emergency, for a double axle? I tried driving the good tire onto boards, but due to the type of suspension on the trailer I had to use like 6 boards to get enough lift. Therefore, I don't think the drive on type of wheel lifters will work for me.

19 Replies

  • Old-Biscuit wrote:
    Bottle jack under the leaf springs perch between the 'U' bolts

    I am NOT going to expose myself to the traffic screaming by while on the side of road any longer then necessary.
    Building cribbing high enough to jack on frame is great at home in the driveway but on side of road...no thanks.

    Besides---jacking 'under' the springs has no affect on axle hence no need to jack at frame.


    Correct.

    However, some axles like mine are "drop" axles, which puts the spring perches really low. This creates a problem finding a bottle jack short enough but yet have enough lift to get under the springs with a flat.

    OP may need several jacks and some cribbing like me to get around this issue.

    For drop axles a scissors type jack or a low profile trolley jack may need to be used with a flat.. Or you may need to use a tall bottle jack with some cribbing to jack up under the frame in order to get enough clearance for a scissor or trolley jack to fit under the perches.

    Good idea to "test" your jack placement in your driveway.

    You can measure your clearance with a inflated tire then subtract the height of the sidewall to see if you have enough room for a jack under the perches.
  • I carry a bottle jack. If your trailer has a leveling system, use that.
  • I use a bottle jack under the "U" shackle.
    I don't trust the thin base of the bottle jack so I made a ply wood base that clamps on to the jack base.

    Jack L
  • Bottle jack under the leaf springs perch between the 'U' bolts

    I am NOT going to expose myself to the traffic screaming by while on the side of road any longer then necessary.
    Building cribbing high enough to jack on frame is great at home in the driveway but on side of road...no thanks.

    Besides---jacking 'under' the springs has no affect on axle hence no need to jack at frame.
  • As mentioned, the Trailer-aid works well. Though I am not sure how well they work with the wide spaced dual axels.

    I have used a bottle jacks and a lots of 2x6 to jack by the frame. My advice is to practice at home.

    I have tire changes down to twenty annoying minutes and I always pull far off the road or exit if possible.
  • Build a “trailer aid” with 2x6s glued and screwed together. I have backup bottle jack.
  • to keep things simple stupid i use my leveling blocks. if your like me, i carry 2o or so of those yellow leveling blocks.
    stack about 5 high and drive up on them, the flat tire should be off the ground. be sure to loosen the lug-nuts on the tire u wish to change. on fuss no mess
    see ya down the road.
    larry