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10-27-2020, 12:15 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 20
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Proper way to jack up trailer to service wheel bearings
Hello, Any advice on the proper way to jack up a two axle travel trailer to service wheel bearings? Is it ok to lift one wheel at a time? Don't see any info in my manuals and some people do it under the frame or under the axle in videos. Thanks for any advice.
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10-27-2020, 12:23 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southwest Alabama
Posts: 9,850
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It depends on whether you have spring hung axles or torsion axles.
For spring hung, most people place the jack either under the frame or under the spring perch on each axle.
For torsion axles you don't jack under the axle so under the frame is your option.
Having said that, if you have tandem axles some people use leveler ramps to lift one wheel at a time by running one wheel up on the ramp.
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Salem 29RKSS Pushing a GMC Sierra 2500HD!
Gotta go campin!
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10-28-2020, 06:29 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Albany, GA.
Posts: 1,359
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my TT and cargo trailer have double axles. I use wood pieces to drive on to get the tire of one side of one axle off the ground. Chock the remaing wheels !! That's the way I service my bearings and brakes. Repeat this process for all wheels, , ,
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10-28-2020, 06:57 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 1,140
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I don't mean to sound disrespectful. Some folks that aren't mechanically inclined (not saying you are or not) can mess more up by disassembling their spindle bearings than helping. And I don't mean to imply that.
Maybe some that have experience can offer advice to help. Are you going to remove your bearings and flush/clean out all the old bearing grease and hand pack with new wheel bearing specific grease?
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2016 F350 CC Dually Powerstroke 4x4
2014 Cedar Creek 34RLSA w/Level Up
2007 HD Ultra Classic 103
USS Pyro AE-24 WestPac MM2 '71-'75
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10-29-2020, 02:02 PM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 20
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Yes , I plan on repacking them myself, my concern is when jacking up on the frame behind the rear axles. I don't want to cause any unnecessary stress on the trailer. I've done bearing service on other trailers, never on a longer travel trailer.
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10-29-2020, 02:22 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 473
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I chock the wheels and jack up the frame in two spots on one side of the trailer. Then I place 2 jack stands. This is the safest way and less stress on the trailer frame.
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2019 Forester 2861DS
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10-29-2020, 02:43 PM
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#7
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,074
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As mentioned, on spring axles, pretty much everyone puts the jack under the bottom U-Bolt plate if the axles attach on top the springs. (underslung springs)
It's a little more tricky if the axle is under the springs (overslung springs) as there isn't much to jack against except a round axle tube or rounded U-Bolts. Depending on the head of your jack, it may be better then to jack on the frame.
I have torsion axles and since the axle attachment bracket is welded to the axle tube and bolted to the frame, (and holds the weight of the R/V) I jack against the bracket.
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2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=86
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10-29-2020, 09:19 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,371
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Axle
On torsion axles, the safest way is a drive on ramp. I use the AndersenDrive on for lube and flat changes. Especially on the Ultra Lights, there just is not a lot of metal in the frame.
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10-29-2020, 10:18 PM
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#9
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Brake is on left
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: USA
Posts: 1,095
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Bottle jack. Faster and easier than ramps. I do one at a time and put a jack stand under. Just in case.
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10-30-2020, 03:37 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Maurice, LA
Posts: 4,095
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SlowrideHD
I don't mean to sound disrespectful. Some folks that aren't mechanically inclined (not saying you are or not) can mess more up by disassembling their spindle bearings than helping. And I don't mean to imply that.
Maybe some that have experience can offer advice to help. Are you going to remove your bearings and flush/clean out all the old bearing grease and hand pack with new wheel bearing specific grease?
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That is the way it is done, boyo!
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2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL, Gladiator Qr35 ST235/85R16 Load rating G, TST 507 TPMS w/ Flow-thru Sensors & Repeater, Reese Sidewinder 16K Pin Box, PI EMS HW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 2500HD CCSB LTZ Diesel, Fumoto Oil Drain Valve, Turbo Brake activated, 39 gal Aux Tank W/ Fuel Pump transfer, Air Lift Loadlifter 5000 air bags.
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10-30-2020, 09:52 AM
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#11
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ARLO
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: N Chili, NY
Posts: 908
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Camco sells something called a Trailer Aid regular and plus version. It takes 30 seconds to lift a wheel off the ground without jacks, jack stands, no laying on the ground. I got one and it is well worth the money. You drive one axle onto it and it raises the other wheel off the ground. Very convenient and secure.
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11-03-2020, 09:24 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 1,014
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Here's how I raise ours with torsion axles.
I use a bottle jack on the frame where the axle mount is. Once I'm finished with the front wheel, I move the jack to the same spot on the rear axle mount.
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11-14-2020, 06:02 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 151
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 5picker
As mentioned, on spring axles, pretty much everyone puts the jack under the bottom U-Bolt plate if the axles attach on top the springs. (underslung springs)
It's a little more tricky if the axle is under the springs (overslung springs) as there isn't much to jack against except a round axle tube or rounded U-Bolts. Depending on the head of your jack, it may be better then to jack on the frame.
I have torsion axles and since the axle attachment bracket is welded to the axle tube and bolted to the frame, (and holds the weight of the R/V) I jack against the bracket.
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For the underslung type, is it okay to jack on the smallest leaf spring, right next to the axle? I didn't want to put the jack on the U bolt but the leaf spring seemed roughly equivalent and nice and flat.
[Edit] Never mind. I just found another post where this was asked and answered.
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2015 268RKS Vibe Xtreme Lite
2012 F-150 EcoSCREW Max Tow
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11-23-2020, 12:13 PM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 1
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Winterizing/storing
Is it a good idea to store your trailer with the tires off the ground. Mine is a 30' Wolf-pack two axle toy hauler.
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11-23-2020, 06:36 PM
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#15
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,074
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Quote:
Originally Posted by idaho43
Is it a good idea to store your trailer with the tires off the ground. Mine is a 30' Wolf-pack two axle toy hauler.
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Many tire manufacturers recommend taking the weight off a tire for storage.
The question is... how long is considered "storage."
I've successfully parked my utility and boat trailers, R/Vs (travel trailers 5th wheels and motorhomes) as well as other equipment and autos for many months WITHOUT lifting the tires off the ground, with no ill effects.
I think this is one of those "do what you are comfortable with" subjects.
Certainly if the tire is partially submerged in water or knee deep in mud may play a role in your decision making.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=86
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11-23-2020, 07:55 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 473
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I park the Forester on drive on rubber patio mats I believe are 2 x 2. Works for me. Previously parked TT on lawn along side of house or gravel at a storage place. Cover tires and have never noticed any bad effect on tires doing any of this. Having a vehicle up on jacks may make it more unstable in high winds. I would not want to consider the damage if it comes off the jacks.
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2019 Forester 2861DS
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