Forum Discussion
- Double_HaulExplorerI was going to buy one of the trailer aide things but found my leveling blocks work just as well. No need to buy or carry anything additional.
- Racefan1ExplorerI use a jack called Good Sam Roadside Assistance. It has worked very well for me and is very easy to store, needs no lubrication, and takes up very little space. Trailer Aide works very well, but takes a lot of space.
- Dog_FolksExplorerWe carry a Trailer Aid, and a bottle Jack.
These are only in case my call to Coach Net fails.
Only needed Coach Net once in 7 years for a blow out. It was nice watching someone else doing the work. - wrenchbenderExplorerI carry a bottle jack, but on 2 flats I have had to use the truck jack to get the jack point high enough to use the bottle jack.After the first experience its the reason why I tell folks to park in a large lot deflate one tire and replace it with the spare.Now you know what is involved.
- Bears_DenExplorerI have a trailer aide. Change a flat tire in about 20 minutes.
- ScottGNomadI put the bottle jack under a shock mount welded to the axle. On all my other trailers I put the jack under the leaf springs U-bolt.
Never had a problem. Probably because your not lifting that much. Your just lifting the axle against some spring tension and not lifting the whole trailer - the body of the trailer barley moves because the rest of the tires and suspension are still supporting the load. Try doing it this way and then by jacking the frame and you'll be able to feel that there's a lot more pressure required to lift by the frame. As long as you have a safe lifting point on the axle (not the axle itself) you'll be fine.
Just my experience, YMMV. - GrandpaKipExplorer III'm going to see if I can change a tire by the block method. If so, then I'll buy one of the trailer aide things. Jacking up the frame is a pain and all the axle manuals I've read say do not jack under the suspension. I carry a 5 ton bottle jack and a jack stand 'cause I don't trust the bottle by itself.
PS I also have a Dewalt 18V impact wrench - ScottGNomadMy DW and I have this down to a science. She gets the spare tire out of the back of the truck while I get the jack and lug wrench and jack up the TT. She puts the tire away while I'm finishing things off.
All in all it takes us 15 minutes from start to driving away.
Maybe some day we;ll have to use a road service but since I can still do things myself I'd rather get it done quickly rather than waiting for an hour or more for the service guy to show up. - RoyFExplorerMy F350 pickup's jack works just fine on the fifth-wheel, which has axle weight well under 6,000 lbs. I also carry a bottle jack for just in case, but the pickup's jack with long crank handle is easier to use.
- 2012ColemanExplorer III would love to see a picture on the jack placement.
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