jacking up Columbus 320

[dkwin1]

We are seasonals at a resort and set-up this weekend. The unit is a little off side to side. I thought I was going to be able to live with it but I cannot. I am fully hooked up and do not want to move the unit. I have a 3 ton jack that I want to use to jack up one side of the unit to slide a 1x10 board under 1 side of the tires. I think this will put me level. My question in where do I jack the unit up at?? Under the axels? Should I jack to the frame. I do not need to get unit that far up in order to slide this board under the tires. I appreciate any feedback given.

[iceblaze580]

With the axles on the columbus being the moride ones jack on the frame I use a 24 ton bottle jack if you jack up the rig with those axles you can really mess them up

[dkwin1]

Thanks. Do you think I will be OK with my 3 ton floor jack in getting this one side up to get that 1X10 under the tires?

[iceblaze580]

In my opinion I would get a jack with more capacity that rig weighs at least 12k

[iceblaze580]

I would just buy a 12 ton bottle jack and keep it in the rig if you ever travel and get a flat you will be glad you have it

[donanddona]

3 ton puts you at 6k lbs. Not sure what rig your in or what the weight is. Keep in mind the distance the jack has to travel up to lift those tires off the ground. Smaller jacks don't lift high. I carry a 24 ton for my 5r that weighs about 4 tons. Always lift on the flat side of the frame next to the wheel. And, I generally need to put short 2X6's under the jack for that snug fit.

[SammySabre]

You won't break anything on the RV using to wimpy of a jack. However, a wimpy jack may not lift it and/or won't have a long enough cylinder to go high enough to get tires off the ground.

Get the bigger jack and lift it by the frame not the axle. Put big piece of wood or something under the jack so it does not sink into the ground. A 12 ton jack would do the job. They are not that much money either - 40 bucks or so.
Torin Hydraulic Bottle Jack — 12 Ton, Model# T91203 | Bottle Jacks| Northern Tool + Equipment

[dkwin1]

Thanks for all of the replies. I greatly appreciate it. I bought a 12 ton bottle jack. One other question. As I mentioned I am completely set-up. Since I am not jacking the unit up very far (just to get a 1X10 under the tires) should I bring the slides in before jacking up or can I leave them out.

[iceblaze580]

I would bring them in you don't want it twisting anything

[dkwin1]

One more question. I am going to unit this weekend to do this. Now I know that i will put in the slides and jack on the frame with a bottle jack. Should I hook the unit up to my truck or will I be ok with jacking with the front landing gear down on the ground?? Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated. Just want to make sure I do not look like the campground idiot and do something stupid. Thanks again

[iceblaze580]

Originally Posted by dkwin1

One more question. I am going to unit this weekend to do this. Now I know that i will put in the slides and jack on the frame with a bottle jack. Should I hook the unit up to my truck or will I be ok with jacking with the front landing gear down on the ground?? Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated. Just want to make sure I do not look like the campground idiot and do something stupid. Thanks again

You don't have to hook it to the truck to jack it up but if you hook it to the truck you may as well use the truck to pull it on the piece of wood

[dkwin1]

I hear ya but that would mean I have to disconnect everything (water, sewer, satellite, power,... I just want to make sure that I am OK jacking the unit up with the front landing gear down supporting the unit. Wasn't sure if that is a no-no.

[iceblaze580]

It's fine to jack it up like that dealers do it all the time

[dkwin1]

Thanks

[ependydad]

I think I'd hook it up to my truck to help with making sure it doesn't move. We read lots of stories here where people had campers roll on them.

[dkwin1]

I think I will do that just to make absolute sure nothing happens. No big deal to back in and hook up. Thanks.

[Goukcats]

My dealer places the jack under the U-bolts on the axle. I did this yesterday on my 320 to put in metal valve stems & to get the tires balanced. I put all slides in & it was not hooked to TV. I did have tire chocks in place. I jacked one side & left that side sitting on jack stands very close to the U-bolts, while I took the tires to my auto shop. I returned & did the other side. Everything worked great but my small 6 ton floor jack had all it wanted on each tire. That surprised me. I guess I need to take my unused 6 ton bottle jack back & get a larger one. It seemed the flex in the springs was no more than going through a large chug hole in a campground or the roads.

[dkwin1]

Goukats. Thanks. I thought I read somewhere to not jack on the axle. I only need to jack up to get a 1X8 under the tires. Thanks again for your feedback.

[avolnek]

I would personally just hook up to the camper, roll it the 4' forward to get your board underneath and roll it back onto the boards...

A heck of a lot safer and really wont take any more time than trying to mess around with a jack to lift the camper...