Lift trailer under frame or axle

[markandkim]

While performing maintenance on the axle bearings or brakes. I keep hearing that one must lift and support the trailer by frame lift, not axle lift. Why is the case, if true?

When CW came out to change a wheel as part of a warranty issue, they lifted the trailer axle. What gives?

[CavemanCharlie]

I always put a floor jack under the u-bolts. If you were to lift the frame you would have to get way up in the air before the springs allowed the wheel to come off the ground. That would seem to me to be putting a awful twist on the frame.

[buzzard616]

proxim2020 wrote:

buzzard616 wrote:
Slight twist to the topic but I'm curious about 'ramping' one wheel to raise the other off the ground.

Doesn't that result in the ramped wheel/tire/hub supporting almost twice the design load?

Stu

Wouldn't the load be split between the remaining 3 units?

Not really. You're only taking the weight off the tire next to the ramped one. The two on the other side are still carrying their half of the trailer, so in effect you are carrying one side of the trailer on one tire.

Stu

[canadiankid]

I think that the trailer (or axle)makers don't want you to lift from the axle because you are lifting a spring, and the result could be a less secure lift than directly on the frame. I have done both. If I am changing a tire i lift under the u bolts. If I am repacking bearings or dealing with my brakes I use a bottle jack on the frame. In my opinion driving up on a ramp to lift the other tire would be the least stable method, and therefore I would only do this on the side of a road (for a flat or such). I am not sure on this info but it makes sense to me.

[Community Alumni]

buzzard616 wrote:
Slight twist to the topic but I'm curious about 'ramping' one wheel to raise the other off the ground.

Doesn't that result in the ramped wheel/tire/hub supporting almost twice the design load?

Stu

Wouldn't the load be split between the remaining 3 units?

[markandkim]

buzzard616 wrote:
Slight twist to the topic but I'm curious about 'ramping' one wheel to raise the other off the ground.

Doesn't that result in the ramped wheel/tire/hub supporting almost twice the design load?

Stu

Very good point. When you jack under the u-bolts, at least both axles are still loaded.

I have decided that jacking under the axle u-bolts is the best option. Just enough to get the tire off the ground.

[buzzard616]

Slight twist to the topic but I'm curious about 'ramping' one wheel to raise the other off the ground.

Doesn't that result in the ramped wheel/tire/hub supporting almost twice the design load?

Stu

[thomasmnile]

My vote is with those suggesting the OP consult the owner's manual for his RV or contact the manufacturer for guidance if the info. isn't in the manual.

Jayco says in the manual for our TT never jack on the axles or suspension, frame only just forward of lead axle or just behind trailing axle. The Dexter axle manual that came with the trailer contains the same warning as the Jayco manual.

Good enough for me................

[NanciL]

I always lift mine with the jack under the axel schackles, but last year after ten years of doing that, I found a much simpler way.
Just hitch up and drive one wheel up on blocks until it is high enough to lift the other.

Jack L

[JIMNLIN]

The axle tube is very thin-walled and if you lift under the tube, you are likely to bend the axle. Don't do it.

True for a torsion suspension with those thin square tube walls but not for a round axle tube on a std leaf spring suspension. Axle manufacturers say not to use a jack under the axle simply because some newbies placed the jack toward the center of the axle and of course bent it.
Jacking the axle next to or a few inches from the U-bolt will not bend/crush a axle tube that can have up to a 3/8" thick tubes.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I use a shorty hyd jack under all of my trailers (not just a RV) axle tubes from 1750 lb up to 10000 lb axle tubes even when fully loaded. No issue from doing so.
I've found it much safer and less stress on equipment/suspension to simply raise one end of a axle a bit instead of the whole side of the trailer just to change a tire/work on a wheel/etc.

Now if I'm at home on my concrete pad I jack from the frame and block the frame when working on both axles on one side.

[K_Charles]

When you go over a bump the trailer gets lifted by the axle, at the spring if it has springs. The axle may not be strong enough to lift from the middle but the frame is not strong enough to lift from the end. Look at where the spring is attached and use common sense.

[markandkim]

PackerBacker wrote:

pasusan wrote:
It depends on what type of axles and frame your trailer has. Best bet is to check in your owner's manual.

I agree. I know on mine I lift with my floor jack and a block of wood under the U bolts.

That's the way I always lift mine too. But I keep hearing conflicting info from others that I'm doing damage by doing it my way. I have those wide stance axles, so I have never tried the drive on block which is suppose to lift the other axle so you can work on it.

[Community Alumni]

pasusan wrote:
It depends on what type of axles and frame your trailer has. Best bet is to check in your owner's manual.

I agree. I know on mine I lift with my floor jack and a block of wood under the U bolts.

[pasusan]

It depends on what type of axles and frame your trailer has. Best bet is to check in your owner's manual.

[nomad297]

Most say to never lift under the axle, ever. Some say to lift under the axle, but only under the U-brackets. I have never heard or read where anybody said it was okay to lift under the axle tube.

The axle tube is very thin-walled and if you lift under the tube, you are likely to bend the axle. Don't do it.

I have two axles, so I ramp up the wheel I'm not working on and this lifts the other wheel up off of the ground. Not all trailers will work this way, though. You should try it now, before you need to do work on the side of the road.

Bruce