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10-06-2011, 07:48 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 16
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How to jack up trailer
I have posted a few messages on several forums about the proper way to jack up my trailer to change a tire. I have gotten several different opinions (jack up axle, jack up frame, use ramps, etc). I finally emailed Forest River and asked the question. Here was their response. My trailer is a 2012 SV-264.
The correct place to jack your unit up is behind the backing plate on the axel.
I have not been to the trailer since I got their response but I am still confused. Not sure what the backing plate is but it sounds like I should jack up on the axel? Anyone know how to decipher this?
Burch
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10-06-2011, 08:24 AM
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#2
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,269
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The backing plate is the square plate at the end of the torsion arm.
That is a pretty small target and you need to worry about buggering the bolts that hold the brake plate.
Disregard the yellow circle. It is from a different post.
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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10-06-2011, 08:24 AM
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#3
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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If and when I need to jack mine up for tire service it will be on the axle . Close to the wheel as I can get.
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10-06-2011, 09:19 AM
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#4
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,327
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Quote:
Originally Posted by herk7769
I would use the metal circled in yellow resting on a wood block.
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As an alternative, jack it up on the I beam frame either side of the axle mountings with a wooden block.
Do Not jack it up on any part of the axle tube as your camper is a torsion style axle and could be damaged.
The use of jack stands is always a could safety practice.
Dave
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Nights camped in 2013 - 55, 2014 - 105, 2015 - 63
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10-06-2011, 10:03 AM
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#5
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,269
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Quote:
Originally Posted by f1100turbo
If and when I need to jack mine up for tire service it will be on the axle . Close to the wheel as I can get.
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This is prohibited in the manual for the axles. Page 5
Disregard my comment in post 2
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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10-06-2011, 10:13 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Manitoba
Posts: 1,283
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As stated before, the only for-sure safe way to jack up a camper with torsion axles is to place the jack between the wheels and jack on the subframe that the axles are attached to. NEVER jack on the axle tube.
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10-06-2011, 10:14 AM
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#7
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Quote:
Originally Posted by herk7769
This is prohibited in the manual for the axles. Page 5
Disregard my comment in post 2
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I says don't do it but yet doesn't say why?
Lol btw its page 4
I jack under leaf mount.
Automotive manuals say the same thing but we all jack on the axle.
I'm sure someone will say they never have. That's your choice 
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10-06-2011, 10:35 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Manitoba
Posts: 1,283
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"I jack under leaf mount."
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That's the beauty of having leaf springs, it is obvious where to put the jack!
On torsion axles, there is no obvious jacking spot, and trying to jack on the axle tube can easily bend the tube and ruin the axle.
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10-06-2011, 11:46 AM
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#9
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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As an update to my post #7 I stopped at my local dealer to pick up a fitting and low an behold there was a tt up on four jack stands which were mounted under the axle tube. For wheel service.
So I asked the service mngr how they jack units.
he stated since most tt and 5ers have skirting to the frame they cannot jack or stabilize there so not to dent or mar skirting.
They were told to jack under leaf spring pad on leaf suspension and next to torsion mount on torsion axles.
I said the manual page 4 says not to do this.
he said the warning was in place so that uneducated owners wouldn't jack in the center of the axle to jack whole unit up or atleast that entire axle to remove wheels or for brake service
Fyi just sayin
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10-06-2011, 12:26 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Manitoba
Posts: 1,283
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f1100, from what I have experienced with RV dealers, I don't think I would be taking their advice on much of anything! 
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10-06-2011, 12:36 PM
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#11
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crocus
f1100, from what I have experienced with RV dealers, I don't think I would be taking their advice on much of anything! |
I hear your comment .
But to be honest I cannot jack my trailer from any where but the axles .
Unless of course I want to jack on my skirting and risk the chance of denting it . And thats not going to happen !
If someone has a better way I would entertain doing it . I will sit back and wait for responses
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10-06-2011, 02:33 PM
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#12
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Posts: 3,367
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I have torsion axles and I just put the bottle jack on the big I-frame of the trailer between the 2 axles. Is there any problem with that? Seems OK to me but . . . 
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1969 John Deere 1020, 1940 Ford 9N, 1948 Ford 8N
Jonsered 535, Can of WD-40, Duct Tape
Red Green coffee mugs
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10-06-2011, 02:39 PM
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#13
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by acadianbob
I have torsion axles and I just put the bottle jack on the big I-frame of the trailer between the 2 axles. Is there any problem with that?
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Thats the way I do mine. When I take it in for state inspection, I specifically ask that they do not jack it via the axles. I show them where I want it done.
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Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
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10-06-2011, 03:27 PM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 16
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I took the picture from the earlier message and forwarded to Forest River. This is what they sent back.
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10-06-2011, 03:33 PM
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#15
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,269
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__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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10-06-2011, 06:56 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,219
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mtnguy
Thats the way I do mine. When I take it in for state inspection, I specifically ask that they do not jack it via the axles. I show them where I want it done.
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This is what I do also.
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2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
2010 F250 4X4 5.4L 3.73 LS
EQUALIZER E4 1200/12000
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10-06-2011, 07:08 PM
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#17
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Lexington Park, Maryland
Posts: 78
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I got one of those trailer-aids from Amazon for 40 bucks. Actually the dealer told me not to jack the trailer up as the jack was not made to do so, instead use the trailer-aid.
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10-06-2011, 09:27 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 360
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Wouldn't it be easier (with torsion axles) to just dive the good wheel up onto blocks, we all carry them?
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10-06-2011, 10:10 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Manitoba
Posts: 1,283
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"Wouldn't it be easier (with torsion axles) to just dive the good wheel up onto blocks, we all carry them?"
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That would grossly overload the axle you were putting the weight of half the camper on. While that "might" not damage anything, I prefer to do things the proper way and not take expensive chances.
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10-06-2011, 10:35 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 360
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Quote:
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That would grossly overload the axle
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Isn't this already happening when you have a flat? or is it riding equally on the good tire and flat tire/rim? My guess is the one axle is carrying most of the load.
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