Jacking up my fifth wheel

[abc40kids]

I know this has been talked to death but sometime before my next trip out which for now is Memorial Day I need to get my new tire on. My tires are new but only as rated and Chinese. I'm going witj the G Saliun's and will take them to my shop one or maybe two at the time.

So my first question is how many hook the truck to the fifth wheel while changing tires and why?

Second question, my last fiver I used a large bottle Jack under the leaf spring between the u-bolts and jacked just till the fire raised off the ground. I know most manufac. say Jack by the frame which is kinda high. I could easily make it work by cutting some 2x6's and screwing them together and set the bottle Jack on that???

I'm in no hurry at all so would rather do it the best way. Thanks

[Cummins12V98]

Larmoll wrote:
If you have a Mor/Ryde IS, it is a hole different ball game. As to where to jack and how to jack.

On my new Mobile Suites it has the MorRyde IS also the level up system that will raise the whole rig. I still will try out the TrailerAid to see how it works if I can't use the leveling system along side of the road.

[C_Schomer]

I've been storing mine off the ground for years. Now, I have two pneumatic cylinders to raise it but I did it with block before that. I drove the 5er up on about 4" blocks... individual blocks under each wheel. Then I put jack stands under the frame behind the wheels and used a floor jack to remove the blocks, one wheel at a time. The front gear supported the front... that's what it's for. I could do it in less than 10 minutes. Craig

[JIMNLIN]

So my first question is how many hook the truck to the fifth wheel while changing tires and why?

I don't hook the truck up to a trailer just to work on the trailers axles/tires/brakes/etc. Need the truck to ferry the wheels to the tire dealer. I leave the trailer on the landing jacks and simply raise the end of each axle next to the U bolt with my floor jacks. As was mentioned I'm only raising the axle(s) maybe a 1/2" for the tire to come off the ground.

Second question, my last fiver I used a large bottle Jack under the leaf spring between the u-bolts and jacked just till the fire raised off the ground. I know most manufac. say Jack by the frame which is kinda high. I could easily make it work by cutting some 2x6's and screwing them together and set the bottle Jack on that???

Your scenario works fine. My 12 ton shorty hyd jack has a short leg channel that fits over the end of the jack which cradle the axle tube. Eliminates the axle from slipping off the jack while on soft ground especially when on the side of the interstate with trucks blasting by at 75 mph.

Think safety....once the wheel is removed use some type of cribing or use a solid jack in case the hyd jack lets go.

[Larmoll]

If you have a Mor/Ryde IS, it is a hole different ball game. As to where to jack and how to jack.

[laknox]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

kaydeejay wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
..........I do one side at a time (both wheels-----1 jack and then 2 jack stands while gone off to shop) not hooked to truck cause I use it to take tires to shop............

If the landing gear is down aren't you concerned about the torque (twist) you are applying to the frame?
I agree with you about jacking under the spring perch, but I leave the fiver hitched so it can rotate as it is jacked.

Nope!

As stated "I only jack high enough to get tire to clear ground"

Doesn't twist frame at all

My thought, exactly. I only leave hooked to the truck if convenient, otherwise jacks are on the ground and wheels are chocked. Both times I've changed tires, I pulled the trailer to Discount, unhooked and told 'em to call me when it was done. I =did= specify that they jack under the spring perches and was told that was SOP for all trailers.

Lyle

[Old-Biscuit]

kaydeejay wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
..........I do one side at a time (both wheels-----1 jack and then 2 jack stands while gone off to shop) not hooked to truck cause I use it to take tires to shop............

If the landing gear is down aren't you concerned about the torque (twist) you are applying to the frame?
I agree with you about jacking under the spring perch, but I leave the fiver hitched so it can rotate as it is jacked.

Nope!

As stated "I only jack high enough to get tire to clear ground"

Doesn't twist frame at all

[Artum_Snowbird]

I just did mine, hooked up and ran up on ramps, first for the front wheels, then down and did the other set. Both sides at once, but only front or back wheels at once. I went with the Bridgestone R250's in the LT format.

[kaydeejay]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
..........I do one side at a time (both wheels-----1 jack and then 2 jack stands while gone off to shop) not hooked to truck cause I use it to take tires to shop............

If the landing gear is down aren't you concerned about the torque (twist) you are applying to the frame?
I agree with you about jacking under the spring perch, but I leave the fiver hitched so it can rotate as it is jacked.

[Old-Biscuit]

Trackrig wrote:

abc40kids wrote:

Second question, my last fiver I used a large bottle Jack under the leaf spring between the u-bolts and jacked just till the fire raised off the ground. I know most manufac. say Jack by the frame which is kinda high.

I think the Mfgs say to jack under the frame because it's a flat surface for the jack to mate to whereas the axle is round and they're worried about the jack slipping out from under it. I always jack under the spring hangers like you have and have never had a problem.

Bill

Mfg. LAWYERS are CYAng with the 'frame''statement because some fool places a jack way under axle tube, bends it, throws camber off and tires wear out/bearings overload and then file claim against mfg. for repairs.

[Trackrig]

abc40kids wrote:

Second question, my last fiver I used a large bottle Jack under the leaf spring between the u-bolts and jacked just till the fire raised off the ground. I know most manufac. say Jack by the frame which is kinda high.

I think the Mfgs say to jack under the frame because it's a flat surface for the jack to mate to whereas the axle is round and they're worried about the jack slipping out from under it. I always jack under the spring hangers like you have and have never had a problem.

Bill

[Cummins12V98]

[Old-Biscuit]

The suspension is bolted to the axle and handles all the dynamics of weight/load/stress just fine so I have NO problem with jacking a tire off the ground with a jack under the leaf springs.

I do one side at a time (both wheels-----1 jack and then 2 jack stands while gone off to shop) not hooked to truck cause I use it to take tires to shop.

I only jack high enough to get tire to clear ground.

IF jacking higher then I would build cribbing and use frame.

[Bayley]

First it's best to hook up the truck for stability as well as avoiding pressure on the front landing legs.
If you're just changing a tire, using the bottle jack is the fastest.
If you're adjusting brakes then the bottle jack gets in the way of the adjustment hole behind the hub.
If you're adjusting brakes or repacking bearings the best way to go is to drive one wheel up on blocks to bring the other tire off the ground.
But in doing this I also use the bottle jack to support the axle I'm working on while I repack the bearings and then remove the jack to adjust the brakes and then drive off the blocks.

[donn0128]

Your right the first time. Jack under the spring perch. First time I took two at a time to the tire shop, Second time I took the trailer to them and they did it in the drive way while I waited.