where to place jack?

[p young]

I am going to beat a horse to death about this but I see all these TT being jacked up by tire dealers with the jack being placed on the axle. I would like to know where do you place the jack? I read somewhere that it should be on the spring shackle?

[TitanMike]

If you have leaf springs the usual, and best place to jack, is directly under the point the spring is attached to the axle.

A minimal amount of jacking required to get tire off the ground and bending axle is a non issue.

If torsion axle, jack up be frame only.

[nayther]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

If you have leaf springs the usual, and best place to jack, is directly under the point the spring is attached to the axle.

A minimal amount of jacking required to get tire off the ground and bending axle is a non issue.

If torsion axle, jack up be frame only.

agree

[Boondock Saint]

agree

[Freedom2016]

We have a Wildcat 5th wheel and I have always understood that you should only jack on the frame to lift the weight off the axles since the axles are not rated to bear the total weight of the trailer. Once the weight is taken up by the jack on the frame, a second jack can be used on the axle to raise the tire to clear for removal.
Please clarify. I recently had new tires installed by Discount Tire. That is the process that they used.

[Iwannacamp]

You need a giant floor jack to get the frame up high enough on mine.

I am of the opinion(and will be scorned) that jacking at the axle end(as close to the spindle as possible) with a soft or curved/cradle type jack head will not hurt anything.

Let it fly I guess...

[Tundra 2014]

On the torsion axel tandem , use a drive-on jack. Then carry it in your trailer. On the Ultra lights, the frame is very light, put on the cross supports or on the wrong spot and you will bend something. NEVER put a floor jack on a torsion axel.

[Hatchdog]

Tandem torsion axle method.

[Joe V]

I park my camper at my home. I have had a 27 foot TT and currently have a 23 Foot Heritage Glen hyper-lite. In order to level my camper I have to raise the one side 4 inches and place blocks under the wheels. I use a floor jack and place it on the axle mount. I have done this more time than I care to remember but have never had a problem. In the past I also used a bottle jack under the axle but the floor jack is much better. One more thing; when raising a camper that high while it is setting on a grade you need to keep your stabilizing jacks down as well as you front main jack.

[Tundra 2014]

I have a 27.5' Flagstaff V-Lite, about 7,800 lb. loaded. Given mine is heavier than most light weight trailers. Also,My wheels are only 3"s apart. I had new GY tires put on it at tire dealer w/ my drive on ramp w/ me driving it on. I told them Do Not use a floor jack on the axe or frame. It was about a hundred degrees. I felt sorry for the installer as he was doing it on the parking lot. I went to get him a Coke. He put a floor jack on the frame support behind the axel, bent it like a wet noodle. This pulled the rear frame together causing a weakness which allowed the frame to flex, moving the wheels together. After $400 worth of replacing support and realigning the frame, fixed. I had thicker metal square tubing installed. Frame repair shop showed me original support bar, 3/32" thick. He said the same thing-Use drive on ramp. He had several other trailers on the lot to be repaired, similar issues.
It makes it much easier and quicker to lube bearings a home or change a flat on the road. Eliminates carrying as much stuff.
Not saying it can not be done w/ bottle jack and jack stands carefully.

[Trawlerphil]

I use the Camco Trailer Aid $40 because Dexter says don't jack it up by the axles and Forest River says don't jack it up by the frame (which almost everyone does).

[Tundra 2014]

I use Anderson drive on. Doubles as front lift stand. I also use the Anderson drive on levelers, pricey but work well.

[HONDAMAN174]

Originally Posted by Trawlerphil

I use the Camco Trailer Aid $40 because Dexter says don't jack it up by the axles and Forest River says don't jack it up by the frame (which almost everyone does).

I still need at least 1 layer of LEGO blocks underneath to get tire off the ground.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Iwannacamp

You need a giant floor jack to get the frame up high enough on mine.

I am of the opinion(and will be scorned) that jacking at the axle end(as close to the spindle as possible) with a soft or curved/cradle type jack head will not hurt anything.

Let it fly I guess...

If you jack under the spring mount essentially nothing changes in how the axle is loaded. Any extra weight carried by that point due to jacking it up is no different than how extra weight is transferred as driving over uneven surfaces or hitting the usual bumps on the highway.

This is actually one of the safest ways to lift a tire off the ground other than driving one tire onto a ramp if a tandem axle.

If using a piece of wood between jack head and axle be careful that the wood doesn't split easily and allow the jack to slip off the axle. Also, make sure it's perfectly centered. Best is jack head to axle with no spacer.'

I'm sure everyone has heard the warning "don't work under a vehicle supported on a hydraulic jack without having jack stands in place" but it's worth repeating.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Trawlerphil

I use the Camco Trailer Aid $40 because Dexter says don't jack it up by the axles and Forest River says don't jack it up by the frame (which almost everyone does).

It's where you jack it up by the frame that matters. Jacking up by the frame away from the axle(s) can stress the frame severely. The frame between tandem torsion axles is a reinforced area.