Okay, I've got tandem axles, with leaf springs/equalizer. I need to remove wheels to have new tires mounted, not to mention making sure I know how to change tires on the side of the road. Tried lifting up one axle using the leveling blocks, but could not get it high enough to raise the other wheel (same side) off the ground. So, given these are leaf springs with equalizer, not the torsion axles, should I/do I just use a bottle jack/floor jack to lift up one wheel/axle to take wheel off? I have read various threads and don't want to do something wrong. My owners manual says NOTHING about it.I believe I just jack up the one wheel/axle with the bottle jack or floor jack, placing it just behind the wheel on the axle mount area, just looking to confirm. Also, I assume I can just use a jack stand to support the axle while I take the wheel to the tire store for the new tires to be mounted and balanced.Finally, can I do both wheels on the same side in this manner, and then swap to the other side after replacing tires?Just don't want to damage anything.ThanksMike

You will hear several opinions here. What I do is place floor jack with block of wood under each shackle on axle. All that is required is to raise the unit abt 3 inches to get tire off of ground. This works for one tire/wheel removal at a time. If you are removing all 4 at once to take to tire shop, you will need 4 jack stands, lots of wood blocks, stable surface and a floor jack. The jack stands with oaks of wood need to be positioned at well established frame I beam framing just fore and aft of the spring hangers on each side. Make sure trailer is on level surface.

I use truck tire dealer locations as they can jack the whole trailer and do the work there.However I was set up for a 30 day stay at a KOA. I had the drain hose all rigged up so all I had to do was pull the tank valve open when it came time to dump. Things worked out with a job so I decided to go with new tires. I used my 12 ton shorty hyd jack and a 3 1/2 ton floor jack under the end of the axles next to the U bolt one side at a time. That way I didn't have to unhook anything or even re level. Or jack one end of the axle at a time won't hurt anything either.

Bottle jack under the spring perch is the accepted method.

I jack on the U-bolt right next to the wheel. One at a time.Just lift the tire 1/4" off the ground.Officially you are supposed to jack on the frame only. I would save this for axle or spring replacement.

Thanks... So, Im assuming it is not acceptable (or proper) to support the trailer via a jackstand under the axle. But, I can support it via the frame, as long as I use a wood brace to spread the load? That makes sense since the axle and suspension wouldn't be able to support the trailer weight.So thinking this through a bit more, can I do one axle at a time (both sides). Do the rear axle, supporting each side of the axle with a jack, or the jack stands, and still having one axle with wheel resting on each side to support the trailer? Seems like that would work. That way the jackstands are just supporting the one axle, and the other axle, with wheels still on, would support the trailer.EDIT: Im thinking that may NOT work afterall, since I would be balancing the trailer on one axle. Guess I'll make three trips to the tire store, since Im also replacing the spare, I'll take the spare, plus one.. swap those, then put new spare plus one on, then take next two, swap those, then the last one. Man what a load of work in 95 degree/95% humidity. But, it is what it is.Mike

Jacking up TT to remove wheels - Leaf spring tandem axles

C_Schomer
Explorer
Oct 04, 2015
I store mine off the ground all the time. I back the trailer onto blocks and put jack stands under the frame. The blocks are split between the wheels so I can use a floor jack to pull out one block at a time. I can do it in 10 minutes and all four are spinning freely. Craig
john_bet
Explorer II
Oct 04, 2015
I just did a compete brake job on my 5er,replaced the whole thing will new from E-Trailer. I jacked up under the u-bolts and rotated tires while I had them off. I have jacked up this 32' 5er about 4 or 5 times this way and no damage to anything yet.
milo
Explorer II
Oct 04, 2015
95 degree temp & 95% humidity...might be easier just to hook up the trailer and drag it down to the tire place ...... would have been done by the time everyone else added their 2 cents....yeah yeah I know this reply is over 2 month after the fact...but I do have a life. lol
time2roll
Nomad
Jul 28, 2015
PUCampin wrote:
The frame is literally 18 inches off the ground, neither jacks nor jack stands are this tall.
You may need larger jack stands. These adjust from 19" to 30"

harborfreight.com/12-ton-steel-jack-stands
PUCampin
Explorer
Jul 28, 2015
My trailer has the same suspension and is spring over axle. The frame is literally 18 inches off the ground, neither jacks nor jack stands are this tall. Last year I replaced all 5 tires. I used a floor jack slightly behind the u-bolts, lifted the tire just off the ground, and placed a jack stand under the u-bolt. I had 4 jack stands and did all 4 at the same time. I also dropped the stabilizers while all the tires were off just keep it steady.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jul 28, 2015
jack stands are stable on asphalt or concrete. Not so hot on grass or gravel. I welded 4 inch lengths of angle iron atop my jack stands for my axle tube under springs Prowler trailer.
3oaks
Explorer
Jul 28, 2015
smkettner wrote:
I jack under the front axel U-Bolt and put on the spare. Then jack under the rear axle U-Bolt and remove the second tire. Leave it on the jack and get two tires mounted. Repeat on the other side and you are done.
That's what I have done in the past. I do not like jacking up the trailer and placing it on 4 jack stands.
Just a matter of personal preference.
time2roll
Nomad
Jul 28, 2015
I jack under the front axel U-Bolt and put on the spare. Then jack under the rear axle U-Bolt and remove the second tire. Leave it on the jack and get two tires mounted. Repeat on the other side and you are done.
Walaby
Explorer II
Jul 28, 2015
Thanks guys... The "creature comfort" comment about 95 degree and 95% humidity was tongue in cheek. Yup.. lots of fluids and a fan to keep the guhNats at bay.

'preciate the quick responses. This forum is awesome.

Mike
mrgreetis
Explorer
Jul 28, 2015
Since it sounds like you have full hookups, set up a fan outside to blow air across where you are working. You don't need a high speed blast, just enough to keep the air moving. That should also keep the mosquitoes at bay.