Jack from Axle, or Frame?

NoodlesWIU · 02-13-2018, 08:46 AM

So I am looking for some guidance on where to place a bottle jack to be able to remove the tires/hubs to repack my bearings for the first time. I had a flat last year and AAA jacked next to the U-bolts on the Axle, as well as the Tire shop who replaced all four tires last spring after 2 failed.

However, the owners manual says jack from the frame. In my research, I have read concerns that this could actually damage the frame. The secondary reason I ask is, I can buy a simple bottle jack and a jack stand for safety if I lift from the axle. But if I need to lift from the frame, I'll have to pony the extra dough for a safe jack which has extensions to be able to lift from the frame. But that's like $260.

Anyone care to weigh in on what they have done, or if they have had any problems?

**Lloyd** · 02-13-2018, 09:24 AM

Tim, the instructions state to jack from the frame when raising the trailer. This is to prevent damaging the axle. Which is being made with a thinner wall all the time.
If you jack from the frame, it can be done with a bottle jack. You will just need a lot of blocking to set the trailer on when you get the axles off the ground.
Some pull the trailer up on a trailer aid and do one wheel at a time then have move the trailer aid to a different wheel.

I use a bottle jack to raise mine when I want to work on the bearings, brakes, etc.
I welded a piece of angle iron onto a pipe coupler that just fits over the jack head. This cradles the axle real nicely. I screw the center out on the stem of the jack so the it hits the bottom of the angle iron. That way it's not resting on the jack housing/body and the the stem bears all the weight.
I place that close to the spring hangers/u-bolts. Take the wheel off, brake drum off redo the bearings, replace drum and wheel, adjust the brakes and move on to the next wheel.
Just make sure you either have the trailer hooked to your tv, or secured in some method where it can't roll off the jack/blocks or what ever method you are using.

NoodlesWIU · 02-13-2018, 09:38 AM

Lloyd,

So I have to ask, for my application of a fully loaded trailer at 8K lbs., is a 6 ton bottle jack sufficient to lift one side, or does a 20 ton like yours add any real benefit. Obviously a 20 ton has more capacity, but that comes at a cost of being bigger, probably heavier, but will it really give me anything more that I wouldn't already have with a 6 ton?

IE will I be struggling with a 6 ton, and be effortless with a 20 ton? Of would a 20 ton be overkill, akin to renting an oversized U-haul to move a recliner, where the bed of my truck would have done just fine?

Thanks!

**Lloyd** · 02-13-2018, 09:51 AM

Are you talking about lifting one whole side, or, one side of an axle at a time?

NoodlesWIU · 02-13-2018, 09:58 AM

My goal is to lift just behind the hangers on the frame to give me access to lift a wheel off on that side of the trailer so I can remove one wheel at a time. But if I'm lifting from the frame, both tires on that side will probably be lifting off the ground equally, right?

I just need to lift enough to give me access to place a jack stand for security, and remove one wheel. Once I'm done repacking the bearings and put the tire back on, adjust the jacks as necessary to remove the other tire on that side.

**Lloyd** · 02-13-2018, 10:02 AM

I think you might be asking a lot from a 6 ton jack. If that is the way you think would work best for you, then by all means give it a try. Then you will know if you have enough jack for the job. Worst case scenario, you will have to pop for a bigger jack if the 6 can't do it.

Allen repinski · 02-13-2018, 10:03 AM

The U bolt attaches the axle to the
frame, I place my Jack on the U bolt.

harley · 02-13-2018, 10:59 AM

I put 6 ton bottle jack right behind the rear shackle and right in the middle of frame, works great . Put jack on some 2x6's to get jack high enough to start. When tires are off ground ,add safety stand in front of front shackle and another behind jack. simple. btw make sure you block the opposite side wheels good. or if you are leary ...hook up truck .

NoodlesWIU · 02-13-2018, 01:56 PM

What size jack stands do you use, seeing as we have similar units. 2 ton, or 3 ton jack stands?

travelin texans · 02-13-2018, 05:28 PM

As long as you place jack on or between the u bolts you shouldn't have any problems. Yes your manual & others here will say do not do so, but I've done it for the last 40 years on every trailer/rv I've owned without any issues. You'll have to have a tall bottle jack &/or lots of blocks to get a wheel off the ground jacking from frame. IMHO the more blocks the taller the distance the more dangerous it gets.
If by chance you have the auto hydraulic levelers you don't need the jack, just push the buttons. Yea the manual & others here will say don't do that either, but mine sat for 4 days on the levelers only while waiting on 4 new brake backing plates & we stayed in the 5er at the time.
The fact is you choose how/where/with what you get the wheel off the ground , but do it as safely as possible, regardless of what I or anyone else on here suggest . SAFETY is the main thing!!

SJSS Slingshot · 02-13-2018, 06:46 PM

I agree , that being safe is number one . But also I want to share, even though my manual also reads to jack it from the frame, I place my heavy duty floor jack under the u bolts, and raise it up. Never had any problems at all with the axles. I mean think about what Texas said, about having to use all the blocks just to get a bottle jack under the frame, that seems dangerous to me. I place my floor jack under the u bolts close as possible to the inside of the wheel, and up it goes. Hope that helps.

Papa-T · 02-13-2018, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelin texans

As long as you place jack on or between the u bolts you shouldn't have any problems. Yes your manual & others here will say do not do so, but I've done it for the last 40 years on every trailer/rv I've owned without any issues. You'll have to have a tall bottle jack &/or lots of blocks to get a wheel off the ground jacking from frame. IMHO the more blocks the taller the distance the more dangerous it gets.
If by chance you have the auto hydraulic levelers you don't need the jack, just push the buttons. Yea the manual & others here will say don't do that either, but mine sat for 4 days on the levelers only while waiting on 4 new brake backing plates & we stayed in the 5er at the time.
The fact is you choose how/where/with what you get the wheel off the ground , but do it as safely as possible, regardless of what I or anyone else on here suggest . SAFETY is the main thing!!

I agree. I’ve jacked my trailers this way for 20 years.

Steve7 · 02-13-2018, 07:11 PM

I’ve done both the frame and under the U Bolts. I use a 6 ton bottle jack (on wood 2x6 when necessary) and jack stands. I use 5 o 6 ton jack stands. I’ve read LCI techs at Rallies jack up under the U Bolts even though the manually says to use the frame.

Labbie · 02-13-2018, 08:21 PM

I usually bring my 8 ton and 12 ton bottle jacks when I travel amd used them both when I got a flat. Last year I also cut a 4x6" to 18" sections to raise said jacks. And I jack from the frame.

**Lloyd** · 02-14-2018, 06:42 AM

Tim, everybody has their own method and opinion on what is the best way to raise their trailer. Just remember, what is best for one person might not be the best for you.
Also remember, Lippert isn't going to issue any warranty reimbursement checks to you or anyone else for a caved in axle where the jack was placed.
So, it all boils down to who's advise or method you decide to follow.
You will just have to sort the chaff from the oats.

The main reasons I have the angle iron on my jack, is to cradle the axle and distribute the weight out, jack isn't quite as likely to be able to slip out, and it's out far enough from the back of the brake drum so I can get in there to adjust the brakes. Which is pretty hard to do if you place the jack under the U-bolts.
Stay safe, and good luck.

Papa-T · 02-14-2018, 07:40 AM

First of all, it’s Ted not Tim. Exactly that’s my opinion and how I’ve always done it. I use wood between the Ubolts and the jack. Would I try to jack it on out on the axel? No. Go to a RV repair shop and see how they jack up a unit. My opinion yes. He ask our opinion and that’s what he got.

**Lloyd** · 02-14-2018, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa-T

First of all, it’s Ted not Tim. Exactly that’s my opinion and how I’ve always done it. I use wood between the Ubolts and the jack. Would I try to jack it on out on the axel? No. Go to a RV repair shop and see how they jack up a unit. My opinion yes. He ask our opinion and that’s what he got.

Whoa whoa whoa there my good friend. Don't get excited. I was talking to the op, whose name is Tim. Not you.

Papa-T · 02-14-2018, 10:14 AM

My apologies. I had just woke up and had an email that said you had responded to my reply. Evidently I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Lol

**Lloyd** · 02-14-2018, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa-T

My apologies. I had just woke up and had an email that said you had responded to my reply. Evidently I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Lol

I understand Papa-T. We all misunderstand a post at times.
I Thank You for the apology.

It takes a good man to admit a mistake, and a bigger one yet to apologize.

r2millers · 02-20-2018, 05:57 PM

With my triples, I always carry 5-6 2x6's for leveling, jacking, etc. I use my alum 1 1/2 ton floor jack that I keep in my truck bed for easy access. I run the trailer up on 2x6's enough to lighten the load on that axle (usually at least 2-2x6's high), and then easily lift the floating axle up, under the u bolts.

Never a problem and I feel safer then lifting the frame with bottle jacks. No way, especially a flat tire on the side of a sloping road.

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