Jacking/Blocking & Brake Adjustment

[MrT]

Hey all you do-it-yourselfers, I seek your advice. I'm mechanically capable, but way out of good form. I want to kill a couple of birds with one stone so to speak, and need to jack up and support my trailer in order to pull all 4 wheels for tire replacement, and to adjust brakes while it is off the ground.
1) Should I incrementally jack and block each "corner" so I keep the unit fairly level all the time, or can I jack each "corner" 6 or more inches at a time? Not sure it makes a difference, but I wanted to ask.
2) I understand the concept of adjusting the brakes, and have found YouTube videos that are quite descriptive. I'd guess this is pretty basic stuff, but not having done it I'm wondering what input you may have.
Thanks!

[jtstromsburg]

Guess if it was me, I'd drop the front to get the rear end up a ways, block under the rear, and then raise the front till it's up where I wanted it. Seems to work in my head at least.

[Scotty]

Originally Posted by MrT

Hey all you do-it-yourselfers, I seek your advice. I'm mechanically capable, but way out of good form. I want to kill a couple of birds with one stone so to speak, and need to jack up and support my trailer in order to pull all 4 wheels for tire replacement, and to adjust brakes while it is off the ground.
1) Should I incrementally jack and block each "corner" so I keep the unit fairly level all the time, or can I jack each "corner" 6 or more inches at a time? Not sure it makes a difference, but I wanted to ask.
2) I understand the concept of adjusting the brakes, and have found YouTube videos that are quite descriptive. I'd guess this is pretty basic stuff, but not having done it I'm wondering what input you may have.
Thanks!

Subscribing: I don't have a good answer myself. I have jacked at each individual wheel but never attempted to do all 4 at one time. I might be concerned about the length of the frame with regards toward whether or not it would possible bow the frame doing as you prescribe.

[OldCoot]

Would recommend lifting and supporting the trailer on the suspension or the suspension framework and NOT on the frame.

[fonzie]

I would do like in post #2 if you have torsion axles....

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...taff-1636.html

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by fonzie

I would do like in post #2 if you have torsion axles....

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...taff-1636.html

The only thing bad about your reference is he placed the jackstands on the axle which is a HUGE NO NO. Better to place them on the suspension framework.

[Canonman]

Just did mine except rotated tires not replaced. Used two floor jacks and 4x4 blocks between the frame and the jack. Set one up in front of the axels and one behind. Chocked the opposite side wheels. Lifted with the floor jacks simultaneously and did the brake adjust while the tires were off. Made everything easier to get to. I would bet you could use jack stands once the wheels are off the ground and simply jack the other side as before. Can't see why you wouldn't be OK putting the jacks under the frame as opposed to using the suspension. Felt solid as a rock to me. Suppose you could set the stabilizer jacks if needed, not for lifting or support just stabilize the unit while working on it.
When done discover the road less traveled and

[OldCoot]

The frames on Rockwood and Flagstaff trailers are not designed for lifting the trailer, whereas the suspension framework (2x4 steel tubing) the suspensions are attached to are more than capable.

[Canonman]

I'll defer to OC on this one. My wildwood has a pretty strong frame and I didn't trust possibly screwing up the suspension on mine.

[fonzie]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

The only thing bad about your reference is he placed the jackstands on the axle which is a HUGE NO NO. Better to place them on the suspension framework.

Agreed

[youroo]

To be (SAFE) make (RAMPS) and only do (2) at a time! Have the TV attached the entire time! Jacking on the Frame is a NoNo,using the Stabilizer jacks for anything while Under the Unit is a NoNO also! If you still want to jack all (4) use plenty of Jack stands for Your Saftey! I see No advantage of lifting all (4) at once unless you have (3) other people helping do the work at the Same Time! Youroo!!

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by youroo

..I see No advantage of lifting all (4) at once Youroo!!

One jack and 4 jack stands means only one trip to the tire shop instead of 2.

[youroo]

Most people will make more trips than that to (Borrow) the Jack and jack stands! No wait they will NOT use Jack stands! Youroo!!

[OldCoot]

You're probably right, I forgot we only have 5 jacks and 12 jack stands. Just need someone to operate them.

[chasbo70]

No need to jack anything. Just buy a Camco Trailer Aid. Carry it with you and you'll save hours waiting on ERS if you have a flat. My experience is ERS techs don't necessarily have either the knowledge or equipment to properly lift my trailer, resulting in one of mine being totalled for bent axles.

[MrT]

Thank you to all that have responded!

To clarify... I should have referred to supporting under the "sub frame" that carries the axles, versus the frame itself. We're all clear on that now.

I understand that jacking under the torsion axles themselves is a non-no.

I'm leaning () toward doing one side at a time in order to chock the other side for safety. I'm on level ground, but if something should slip it could be a mess at minimum. I'll just have to make two trips to the tire shop.

If I'm feeling ambitious, I'll take some photos when I do the work over the next week or so.

[ColoradoRick]

Thanks for this thread...I'll, also, be doing this in a few months when I will be replacing my tires with Maxxis. (I thought about towing it to the Discount Tire folks and let them jack it up but, to be honest, I'm not comfortable with that.)

I'll, also, just do one side at and time and, while it's up, go ahead and lube my axles.

[pdqparalegal1]

Originally Posted by jtstromsburg

Guess if it was me, I'd drop the front to get the rear end up a ways, block under the rear, and then raise the front till it's up where I wanted it. Seems to work in my head at least.

Works very well. I used truck jack stands, but 4x4 or 4x6 will work. Used the on board leveling jacks on a 36' motor home to get all 6 wheels up and blocke both axles with 4x6 stacks. Be safe
1

[moligney]

Just replaced my tires and brakes on my dual axle TT. Easiest way was to roll both front wheels up on 2" blocks which lifts both rear off the ground. (May have to lower tongue with jack) To do the front roll both rear wheels up on 2" blocks which lifts front off the ground. (May have to raise the tongue with jack). Also works great on the road for a flat. I used the Camco "leggos" for blocks as I was working on grass.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by ColoradoRick

Thanks for this thread...I'll, also, be doing this in a few months when I will be replacing my tires with Maxxis. (I thought about towing it to the Discount Tire folks and let them jack it up but, to be honest, I'm not comfortable with that.)

I'll, also, just do one side at and time and, while it's up, go ahead and lube my axles.

No need to (Jack & Support) if you do (1) Axel at a time! Do front axel=2 Wheels then do back axel=2Wheels! Pull up or Back up on Ramps leave TV Connected! Youroo!!