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?

[Randu]

Only by the frame for last 10 years. MFG recommendation's on last 3 trailers I have owned. 2 jacks if removing both wheels for bearing or brake work, 1 if just pulling 1 wheel. Randu

[naturist]

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.

[fj12ryder]

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.

[donn0128]

Grrr stupid park WiFi double post

[donn0128]

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.