What kind of jack do you carry for your TT?

[Qwkynuf]

Working on outfitting my new Micro Lite 21DS, after having been without a trailer for several years.

I'm thinking that I would like to pick up a bottle jack to carry around, since it uses less space than a floor jack, But it also doesn't look like the trailer has a bunch of good contact points - and the bottle jacks don't have a ton of surface area.

I'm towing with an open bed pickup, so lots of space, but not lots of lockable space.

What do most people do for these kinds of rigs?

Thanks!

Qwkynuf

[EdJunior]

I use an Allstate jack. Well, if Jack is his name...don't really know. But yeah, they come out and change my tires. I only had to use 'em once. Well, one trip. Three different times on three different tires. What a nightmare trip home that was.

[007matman]

The bottle jack that came with my 1-ton Powerstroke! Lifts it right up..

[babock]

I carry a 2 ton aluminum Harbor Freight floor jack in the back of my truck. Have used it once and that was changing the back tire of my truck rather than using its jack.

[MR.M]

2 12 ton bottle jacks and glad i had them both when i had two broken leaf springs last month . one short and one long and just added a 20 ton to the collection all 3 don't take up anymore space then a floor jack . The short 12 fits under the spring mount that's where i lift for tires .

[Qwkynuf]

Originally Posted by EdJunior

I use an Allstate jack. Well, if Jack is his name...don't really know. But yeah, they come out and change my tires. I only had to use 'em once. Well, one trip. Three different times on three different tires. What a nightmare trip home that was.

I have AAA RV Plus, but in the past my experience hasn't been great (at least on the car side). Waited 3 hours once for gas on I-40 a couple of miles outside of Flagstaff. I probably could have walked it faster. Last year, my son needed his Honda Civic towed on I-90 about 20 miles west of Spokane, WA & it was a 2 hour wait.

I can change a tire in 15 or 20 minutes, so I would need to be in a pretty exceptional situation before I wanted to get them involved.

[Mrprovy]

I keep a Hi-Lift farm jack on the back off my TV along with a wheel lift and Jack stand for off-roading; it'll work for my TT if every needed.

[ependydad]

Started with my truck's jack:


Later bought a Harbor Freight bottle jack:


Yes, I know it's controversial to jack on the axle tube and that I'm risking life and limb putting it onto LynxLeveler blocks like I did.

I do plan on figuring out how to use the leveling system to lift one whole side.

[debit]

I have several bottle jacks and one floor jack. But don't forget the blocks of wood!
...............
Ram 2500 / Surveyor 251rks

[Qwkynuf]

Originally Posted by ependydad

Started with my truck's jack:

Yes, I know it's controversial to jack on the axle tube and that I'm risking life and limb putting it onto LynxLeveler blocks like I did.

I do plan on figuring out how to use the leveling system to lift one whole side.

I seem to have torsion axles, so it's really looking like a challenge to even find a place to jack on them if needed.

Appreciate the input though!

[007matman]

Originally Posted by Qwkynuf

I seem to have torsion axles, so it's really looking like a challenge to even find a place to jack on them if needed.



Appreciate the input though!

I have torsion axles too.

I always use the metal bracket on the end. It's a small surface but pretty stout. Never had an issue.

[mwdilday]

I have an 8 ton jack that came with my Ford F-350 that is what I use.

[SailorSam20500]

Originally Posted by Qwkynuf

I seem to have torsion axles, so it's really looking like a challenge to even find a place to jack on them if needed.

Appreciate the input though!

Originally Posted by 007matman

I have torsion axles too.

I always use the metal bracket on the end. It's a small surface but pretty stout. Never had an issue.

I have torsion axles and a 6 ton bottle jack. I've changed tires by jacking up using the trailer frame near the tire.


If I got the right link, this post has a pic of my trailer up on the jack.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post1872787

[NJKris]

I kept the bottle jack from my old Dodge Ram when I junked it. I always have blocks of wood for stabilizer jack pads as well.

[dward51]

Bottle jack on top of stacked wood (I used 8"x8" sections of 2x8"). Put the bottle jack on the frame between the tires or near the tires.

Get a jack that is rated to at least the weight of your trailer. I have an 8 ton jack I bought at K-Mart some 20 years ago that I still use. Just make sure you have sufficient wood blocking to get the trailer up high enough to change a tire. May need extra blocking if the ground dips or slants on the side you are working on. You can also use that same blocking as pads for your stabilizer jacks and the tongue jack when camping so they do double duty. And it can also be used on your tow vehicle if you have a flat there. I think the bottle jack is easier to use than my truck jack.

Note: I would not recommend using just a bottle jack to hold one side of the trailer up to work on something where I needed to crawl underneath the trailer. You will need jack stands for safety when doing that. That being said I don't carry jack stands with me. If I have that sort of issue and was away from home, I would just buy an inexpensive set the next day from Harbor Freight or an auto parts store (or Walmart). Easier to do that level of work in daylight anyway.

[FordHauler]

I carry a Trailer Aid Plus with the extra height. Good tire goes on the trailer aid, then almost any jack will pick up the axle with the flat tire. Mine was a 2 ton floor jack I kept behind the seat in my old dually.
The one time I had to use it I was back on the road in less than 30 minutes.
Travel safe

[david_reaves]

I use a "portable" 2-ton floor jack. The broader base is much more stable than most bottle jacks. It also has a removable "spacer/extension" for the lift point that give it a higher lift.

[itat]

I have a 12 ton (I think) bottle jack that I got for a birthday present. This is how to jack your Mini Lite with Dexter Torflex axles:

[jd50i]

I use the one in my TV, no reason to get another one. I did need to get another lug wrench since the TT and TV lugs are different sizes.

[The Evil Twin]

Originally Posted by itat

I have a 12 ton (I think) bottle jack that I got for a birthday present. This is how to jack your Mini Lite with Dexter Torflex axles:

^^This right here.