Getting New Tires -- Jack Up Points For Installers To Use?

[ford-willy]

Getting new Goodyear G614's very soon. Over the years I've had installers tell me different "musts" for safe jacking techniques and jack placement positions. Last time on this large very heavy Grand Junction they used 2 floor jacks (doing one side of the trailer at a time) one jack under each of the axle to spring U bolts points, jacking both wheels "simultaneously' off the ground.

Others have said only jack under the frame, one jack in front of wheels and one behind. But on this trailer I have a propane gas pipe directly covering the underside of the front frame, that would be crushed.

On my lighter trailers, flat bed & horse, the jacking points are not quite as critical because the trailer lifts more easily. But on this heavy trailer damage can be done jacking improperly. Can anyone tell me the right way to lift one side at a time on a large heavy 5ver????

[fj12ryder]

I've jacked under the U-bolts on both 5th wheels we've owned with no issues. I would never try to raise the trailer enough to change a tire by jacking under the frame.

[dilbert3703]

Thanks to the OP for asking the question. A couple of posters stated the manufacturer said to jack under the frame. Several posters reported problems with that. Have any of you experienced problems resulting from jacking up a trailer directly under the axle U-bolt as bpounds recommends? (BTW, thanks, bpounds, for the photos!)

[Tin_Pusher]

Haven't had to try it yet, but I think the low-profile jack will fit under the axle with a flat. I really bought for adjusting brakes more than anything. Don't normally carry it.

On the road, more likely to stack up the lumber. It works, it's fast, and no laying on the ground 🙂

[JIMNLIN]

I have a 12 ton shorty hyd jack sold specifically for jacking trailer axles. It comes with a 10"x10" base and a adapter similar to pipe adpter only its a short leg channel.
The 12t shorty came with a long folding jack handle that allows the jack to be slid in position or removed without having to lay down or go under the trailer.
The jack is about a mid '70s model and was sold as a Truckers Special.

[bpounds]

laknox wrote:
...With a flat, I'd get out a couple 2x6's and pull the flat tire up on them to get the jack under the axle. :W

Lyle

That's my thought too. No need to carry a one-trick-pony gizmo around. I've always got a bunch of 2x8's along for leveling.

But to be fair, with my small fiver, my truck scissor jack is all I would need to change a flat on the road. For those with heavy fivers, you're going to need to carry something that works for you.

[laknox]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Tin Pusher wrote:
SanMarMor, floor jacks do not work well for this. Get one of these

and one of these:

and jack against the U-bolts.

As many have said, for tire / wheel work, that is the way to go.

(don't look at the weld 🙂

Hoe do you get the bottle jack under the hanging axle with a flat tire? TrailerAid! $36 on Amazon.

This one works for me: http://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-hydraulic-low-profile-heavy-duty-bottle-jack-69481.html. With a flat, I'd get out a couple 2x6's and pull the flat tire up on them to get the jack under the axle. :W

Lyle

[Cummins12V98]

Tin Pusher wrote:
SanMarMor, floor jacks do not work well for this. Get one of these

and one of these:

and jack against the U-bolts.

As many have said, for tire / wheel work, that is the way to go.

(don't look at the weld 🙂

Hoe do you get the bottle jack under the hanging axle with a flat tire? TrailerAid! $36 on Amazon.

[Cummins12V98]

SanMarMor wrote:
I was trying to adjust my brakes, and jacking on the axle right behind the wheel doesn't work. That puts the jack in the way of the adjustor opening. How have people jacked for brake adjustment?

Mark

Look at my picture with the TrailerAid Plus. It's great for maintenance and tire/wheel removal.

[Tin_Pusher]

downtheroad, I made that one (as you can probably tell from the weld). I think I used 3" STD wall pipe for the saddle and maybe 1 1/2" STD for the collar. What ever fit the bottle jack pad.

But yeah, you can buy similar.

BTW, I paid $10 for three feet of 3" and $2 or $3 for the 1 1/2" nipple.

[bpounds]

downtheroad wrote:
Tin Pusher....where do I get one of these?
Thanks.

That's mostly a DIY kind of thing. But there are some garage-band type of company offerings out there.

Here is one that is popular with off-roaders:
Bottle Jack Axle Adapter

The above is not an endorsement.

[bpounds]

Floor jack has always worked for me. The brake spoons are bent for that reason. If you're trying it with just a screwdriver that might be a problem.

In fact I can get a floor jack and a jack stand in there, and still manage to adjust brakes. Just get the jack as far outward as you can, but not necessarily directly under the U-bolt.

If I'm just adjusting brakes I probably won't use a jack stand. Because I will just lift one tire at a time. If I am also pulling tires or hubs, or for whatever reason want to lift both tires at once, I will always use jack stands.

For those who insist on lifting under the frame, if you are only capable of following a lawyers text in the manual, and unable to apply a lick of common sense, by all means continue with that. We all get by in life as best we can.

[downtheroad]

Tin Pusher....where do I get one of these?
Thanks.

[Tin_Pusher]

SanMarMor, floor jacks do not work well for this. Get one of these

and one of these:

and jack against the U-bolts.

As many have said, for tire / wheel work, that is the way to go.

(don't look at the weld 🙂

[SanMarMor]

I was trying to adjust my brakes, and jacking on the axle right behind the wheel doesn't work. That puts the jack in the way of the adjustor opening. How have people jacked for brake adjustment?

Mark

[avvidclif1]

ford-willy wrote:
Getting new Goodyear G614's very soon. Over the years I've had installers tell me different "musts" for safe jacking techniques and jack placement positions. Last time on this large very heavy Grand Junction they used 2 floor jacks (doing one side of the trailer at a time) one jack under each of the axle to spring U bolts points, jacking both wheels "simultaneously' off the ground.

Others have said only jack under the frame, one jack in front of wheels and one behind. But on this trailer I have a propane gas pipe directly covering the underside of the front frame, that would be crushed.

On my lighter trailers, flat bed & horse, the jacking points are not quite as critical because the trailer lifts more easily. But on this heavy trailer damage can be done jacking improperly. Can anyone tell me the right way to lift one side at a time on a large heavy 5ver????

If you have the hydraulic Level-Up system use it. All 4 at once.