Jacking up TT to remove wheels - Leaf spring tandem axles

[Walaby]

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.

Thanks

Mike

[C_Schomer]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[westend]

Use stands or cribbing and take all four wheels off. That will be one trip to the tire dealer. While you have the wheels off, it may be a good time to check suspension hardware, bearings, brakes, and brake wiring. All of those maintenance items are easier to accomplish with all four hubs exposed.

Keep cool and drink lots of fluids.

[JIMNLIN]

You will not damage or crush or bend the axle tube with a jack placed next to the U bolt (under the axle) on a std leaf spring suspension. Pure internet myth.

Now if you place the jack in the middle of the axle between the wheels its possible to bend (more camber) the axle.

I've jacked trailers under the axle tubes on 1750 lb axles up to 10k axles on my fully loaded equipment/flatdeck/RV/boat trailers/enclosed trailers/dump trailers with no issues.

[Walaby]

RJsfishin wrote:
Its not rocket science. Its hard to do it wrong And its hard to damage anything.
The only time to jack the frame is if the wheel is not removeable by jacking it on the axle,.....fender or plastic shirts.
Anyway, keep a bottle/floor jack on, or close to the u bolts, and you can't miss. Then put a jack stand or blocks also near the u bolts.
Its kinda like, "if it feels good, do it"

edit, be sure to loosen lugs before lifting wheel,......if no impact wrench

Yeah, Im probably overthinking it a bit. Not like I haven't put cars on four jackstands countless number of times. Just concerned with trailer as I don't want to bend or twist anything.

Mike

[Bill___Kate]

I think the reason why the "official method" recommended by most trailer and axle manufacturers is they are concerned that if you put the jack right on the axle tube you might damage the tube and weaken it. If you do like others have said and spread the contact point of the jack with a wood block, and jack under the u-bolts to further spread out the weight, you will be fine ....