Jacking up a TT

[tinstartrvlr]

Greetings all...
About to have some wheel bearing maintenance done on TT. It weighs about 7900 lbs. The tech that is going to do the work asked me about the weight, because he wasn't sure his floor jack would lift the TT. He then explained he tried to lift a 5th wheel and it wasn't stout enough.
It got me thinking that perhaps a floor jack on the frame isn't the most sensible thing to do; putting half the weight of the TT on one tiny spot along the frame. A Lippert frame no less.
Seems jacking up each axle just enough to remove the wheel makes more sense.
Any thoughts, good or bad?

[BB_TX]

Here is what the Lippert manual says.

Recommendations For Jacking The Frame To Change A Tire

1. Carrying a jack rated for the weight of the coach is essential. The jack MUST be rated between 8 and 12 tons.
2. To prevent damage to the coach, carry wood blocks to place between the jack and the main rail (I-beam or tube) of the coach and to go under the jack.
3. DO NOT jack the coach on the axle tube or black pipe gas lines that can sometimes be mounted to the bottom of the main rail.

[Lynnmor]

Some Lippert frames are constructed of thin metal welded together to form an I-beam. That metal will bend easily and a jack, that is not centered perfectly, will roll the edge and will come crashing down. A floor jack will still bend the junk frame, but at least it will stay up. With a frame that has a stronger beam, you might be OK to jack it, but a bottle jack still may slip.

Jacking under an axle can cause the tube to indent if it is under the leaf spring. In that case, a block should be made that contacts the u-bolts and axle tube forming a cradle that spreads the load. I made heavy shock mounts that give me a jacking point that lifts by the u-bolts.

[ScottG]

I welded a spring perch to the bottom of my axles (for shocks) and I lift it by placing the jack under those.

[Lwiddis]

Winnebago says jack the frame.

"When using bottle-type jacks, a metal plate or block of wood to relieve stress against the steel frame should be inserted between jack and frame. DO NOT use a bumper jack. It may damage the sidewalls or floorboard of the trailer."

[BB_TX]

Most, if not all, manufacturers say to jack the frame. But I think in reality most trailers are jacked directly under the axle between the U bolts.

[GordonThree]

My frame has an extra 3/8 plate welded on under the suspension. I jack on that plate, behind the wheel. Gain a few inches, raise a jack stand, repeat on the other side. Handy to have two jacks.

[MitchF150]

I've been told this is the wrong way to jack up a trailer..



Since I have torsion suspension, I don't really have an "axle" to jack up on..

I guess it could be said that I should put a small board between the frame and the bottle jack?

Maybe, but that gets hard to do with both tires in place.

Anyway, to each their own. Do whatever works best for you in your situation.

Good luck!

Mitch

[SoundGuy]

Tyler0215 wrote:
Only place the jacks under the axles, not on the frame. The frames aren't strong enough to support the weight of the TT when concentrated in one place.

Service manager for my local Coachmen dealer would disagree with you completely ... and so too does my Coachmen Owner's Manual where it says on Page 13 -

"To avoid damage to your unit, be sure the jack is placed firmly against the chassis frame."

2 out of 2 say the frame ... think I'll stick with that. 😉

[Tyler0215]

Only place the jacks under the axles, not on the frame. The frames aren't strong enough to support the weight of the TT when concentrated in one place.

[DustyR]

agesilaus wrote:
Bottle jack works very well. Followed by a jack stand.

X-2

[agesilaus]

Bottle jack works very well. Followed by a jack stand.

[the_bear_II]

Most of the time I use the jack underneath the plate where the u-bolts connect to the axle. I jack up one wheel and use a jack-stand to secure it then repeat on each wheel to get all four off of the ground or one side at a time if I only need one side off of the ground.

I've done this with three different TT and two different 5th wheels with no ill effects to the suspension or frame.