Need some maintenance advice

[guinness1]

I am preparing to repack my bearings for the first time. This will also be the first time I do this job on a tandem axle trailer. Where/How do I jack up the trailer? I would like to get one side off the ground so I can do two wheels at a time.

[Hiking_Hunter]

I recently repacked mine for the first time. On the first side, I used a bottle jack under the frame and a jack stand under an axle U-bolt (my axles are "under slung" so I couldn't use the spring perch). That got both wheels off the ground. My manual says to jack under the frame anyway. By the time I got to the second side, I went ahead and purchased another bottle jack - $30 at Harbor Freight for an 8 ton with plenty of extension. So, on the second side, I stayed under the frame and only used the jack stands as a safety under the U-bolts. Both methods seem fine (it was a good excuse to buy another bottle jack).

Some folks use a "TrailerAid" ramp. I have one, but the spacing between my wheels does not lift one wheel completely without contacting the other.

Be sure to replace your inside seals - but be sure they fit right. I have Dexter 6K pound axles and the Dexter part number associated with the seals did not cross properly to an after market seal (several vendors). Had to get a smaller seal to fit snug so it would not leak grease. Recommendation: try (feel) the seal by hand before you seat it in the back of the hub and assume it to be right; or, go by the real Dexter number stamped on the seal and replace it with original Dexter parts (if that is what yours is).

[Cummins12V98]

Buy a TrailerAid plus, do one wheel at a time keep it in your RV they are great for on the road tire repair.

[raytronx]

guinness1 wrote:
I am preparing to repack my bearings for the first time. This will also be the first time I do this job on a tandem axle trailer. Where/How do I jack up the trailer? I would like to get one side off the ground so I can do two wheels at a time.

My owners manual says to jack only from the frame rails but even the tire shops jack at the axle under the u clamps. Usually I drive up onto a ramp so I don't need to do any jacking.

Ray

[wandering1]

Don't use the suspension system to jack the trailer up. The manufacturer recommends using the frame. Those that recommend using the suspension system will not pay for your damages.

[donn0128]

Easiest is to place the jack directly under the apring perci. I do one wheel at a time. That way i only need one jack and there are still three wheels blocked.

[sch911]

I always used a bottle jack on the leaf spring pads. Not a good idea to jack the axle directly.