Jack Points on 5th Wheel?

[5thwheeleroldma]

Does anyone really jack up their wheels by the frame? I tried that once and had so many blocks stacked up under the jack, plus you have to have two jacks, that it was really shaky and dangerous.

I guess they are afraid you will damage the axle tube, but that is what I have ended up doing. I put a bottle jack close to where the U-bolt attaches to the axle and jack there. I know it is not recommended, but I think you will eventually kill yourself trying to jack up the frame.

I suspect the axle people are just covering their donkeys. Any brilliant ideas out there? I used to be an engineer; why not just manufacture the axle with a flat plate (for jack) welded on close to the U-bolt location on each side of the axle?

[oilslick]

Lippert who manufacture most trailer frames also make the axles, they use a much thinner wall axle tube than other manufacturers that's why they don't want you to use a jack on the axle tube. I have seen pictures of the end of the axle tube bent and flattened from jacking.

[JIMNLIN]

OP says wrote:
I suspect the axle people are just covering their donkeys. Any brilliant ideas out there? I used to be an engineer; why not just manufacture the axle with a flat plate (for jack) welded on close to the U-bolt location on each side of the axle?

You got it !!!
When I was a rookie I jacked the side of the trailer by the frame just to change a flat tire on a std leaf spring suspension. Well I bent the frame by jacking from one point on a fully loaded 18k flatdeck trailer. Dropped the trailer off at the manufacturer for them to fix my mess.
The service mgr showed me their 12 ton hyd jack stubby trucker special they sold. That was in the early '70s and I still use the old jack. It slides under the axle tube next to the U bolt or the U bolt. I welded a short flange 3.5" channel to the top of the jack. The channel cradles the axle tube so no slips while on the side of the road with trucks blasting the trailer at 75 mph. With a 10" x 10" wide base it works great on soft ground.

What ever method you go with make a dry run at home especially with some type of ramps or a torsion type suspension. Many folks found out the hard way the ramp didn't raise the flat tire far enough to get a tire off or on.

[Puddles]

donn0128 wrote:
To change a tire you always place a Jack under the spring perch. To lift the entire trailer you need several Jack stands on each side.

Pretty hard to jack under the spring perch, if it's on top of the axle... I cut a piece of 3" pipe long enough to fit between the u bolts... Then cut a 1& 1/4 piece of pipe about 1 inch long... split the 3" pc and welded the smaller one in the center, on the outside of the 3 incher.... this little device will sit on top of a bottle jack and won't slip off... The half circle won't slip off the axle or bend it... Wish I knew how to post a pic..

[fj12ryder]

Just as an aside due to the nature of some posts, has anyone ever heard of anyone damaging their trailer/5th wheel by jacking under the spring mounts?

Unfortunately I've had to do it several times due to flat tires, and then several other times when I added wet bolts and EZ Flex. I've had no issues at any time. Yes, this is apocryphal data, but it is real world rather than a CYA notice.

Personally I can't imagine trying to jack up the trailer by lifting the frame, while sitting along side the road/highway. I don't carry multiple jacks that will support the weight of my toyhauler, and I rarely find the necessary cribbing along the road, and I'm sure not carrying that material along with me. 🙂 I want to get it done as quickly as possible and get out of a potentially dangerous situation. Jacking one wheel high enough to change the tire meets that criteria.

[MTPockets1]

I have one of These

[ol_Bombero-JC]

donn0128 wrote:
To change a tire you always place a Jack under the spring perch. To lift the entire trailer you need several Jack stands on each side.

"always" is bad info.


To lift one side of the trailer, two jacks -one each, under the frame at either side of the wheels - is correct.

~

"donn0123" (or anyone else) - it's *NOT* your trailer..:S

You are "assuming" (and should know the 'breakdown' of that word) - the OP has a certain level of expertise to do otherwise.

*You* ("we") won't be paying for *his* repairs due to (his) errors..:R

Most mfgrs of trailers and axles indicate to jack under the *frame*.
If in doubt - call their tech lines.

If *you* choose to jack under the spring perch, or 'drive-up' ramps, that's your choice/option. More power to ya!

Best advice for the OP is to follow the trailer and axle mfgr's recommendations - which will work just fine with proper jack/s and/or cribbing..:C

OP - there are tall and short bottle jacks.
Chock opposite side wheels.
Remaining hitched is good, but not necessary.
Cribbing (blocks) to raise the jacks is no big deal.
Use at least one jackstand (Aluminum from HF are nice).

"Shortcuts" are what you feel comfortable with, and capable of. YMMV.

~

[socoguy]

Allworth wrote:
Nobody asked about ramps. The question was about using jacks!

Not very far off topic I think poster was just offering an alternative.

[Allworth]

Nobody asked about ramps. The question was about using jacks!

[rhagfo]

mileshuff wrote:
I use a ramp to roll up one tire while I work on the other. Quick and easy and no jacking required.

Never have liked that method, over loads spring and tire! Jack under the axle getting the tire clear of the ground by about 1". Very little differance in load carrying between axle and tire.

[mileshuff]

I use a ramp to roll up one tire while I work on the other. Quick and easy and no jacking required.

[wrgrs50s]

I agree with "therink", under spring hanger and hooked to truck.

[therink]

For wheel changing and bearing service, I place bottle jack with block of wood under the axle at the spring u bolt location. Plenty strong. I like to have trailer hitched to truck with Ebrake engaged and chocks on opposite trailer wheels for added stability.

If I am doing anything major I will jack at frame using 6x6 blocks and support with jack stands.

[Jerry_B]

My bottle jack is too tall to jack under the spring, so I jack on the axle right next to the spring. No problem.

[rhagfo]

naturist wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:
Yep, I put the jack under the spring perch also. I do believe the warning not to jack on the axle is just a CYA so people don't try jacking at an unsupported part of the axle, and bending it.

Yeah, I can see people doing something like that. I mean, hey, I've got a 10 ton bottle jack, the TT only weighs 5,000 lbs fully loaded, all I need to do is put the jack smack in the middle, I can pick up the whole thing at once, right? What can possibly go wrong???

Seriously, somewhere, somewhere there is somebody dumb enough to try it.

100% correct! That is why products now days have so many warning labels, you can bet every is based on a law suit brought against the manufacture be it won or lost!!!

It the total lack of common sence, too many don't think before they act.