Is it safe to lift drive axle tire (one side) off the ground with the Hyd Leveler

[CountryB]

I got a flat tire on Sunday (leaving campground in NC). I carry a spare, so I was able to change it.
But it was hard to get my bottle jack under the axle. I had to slide under the coach on my back to get the jack in position.

Is it safe/acceptable to lift a single drive-axle tire pair off the ground using just one "rear hydraulic leveling jack"?

I'm worried that doing so would twist the frame and crack my windshield. I had a cracked windshield when my air bags on one side didn't inflate and the other side inflating, causing the coach to lean heavily (frame twist). Then the windshield cracked. Is that a concern if I tried to lift one side drive tires off the ground?

[hypoxia]

Originally Posted by CountryB

I got a flat tire on Sunday (leaving campground in NC). I carry a spare, so I was able to change it.
But it was hard to get my bottle jack under the axle. I had to slide under the coach on my back to get the jack in position.

Is it safe/acceptable to lift a single drive-axle tire pair off the ground using just one "rear hydraulic leveling jack"?

I'm worried that doing so would twist the frame and crack my windshield. I had a cracked windshield when my air bags on one side didn't inflate and the other side inflating, causing the coach to lean heavily (frame twist). Then the windshield cracked. Is that a concern if I tried to lift one side drive tires off the ground?

I did that a lot when I had jacks. I think as long as you used the front jack in conjunction with it you wouldn't get that twisting. You could lift both rear wheels on level ground. That said I haven't broken a windshield either......

[oldguy70]

I use my jacks to change my rear tires twice a year, to put on snow tires in late fall and
summer tires in the spring.

[CountryB]

My coach hyd leveling setup uses three jacks (one in the center front, and the other two in the rear). I think it would be more stable to not use the front jack (let the front tires stay on the ground).

But if I lift both drive tires, then I have no parking brakes and would need to really chock the front wheels good to prevent coach rolling downhill (maybe bending the rear jacks). My coach weighs 43,000 lbs. I was not on level ground when I changed the tire, but it was not severely sloped either.

But if lifting both rear tires off the ground is the only safe way to do it, then that's the way I'll do it. I just need to buy some good wheel chocks.

Has anyone had there tires replaced at a shop where the tire guy lifted the rear of coach with the levelers? Did they lift both sides at the same time?

Although I don't know/trust that a tire guy knows about the cracking windshield problem with these coaches. I think these guys are more familiar with changing tires on semi-trucks.

[96 Wideglide]

I don't have hyd levelers, but if I recall, when Shwabb in Junction City did my duallies, they used two jacks, raising one side but leaving the tires on the ground, while changing the other side.

[twinboat]

Lift one side or one end, not on a steep hill, using the levelers.

Parking brake is useless if your changing a rear tire. All weight is on the jacks, bearing straight down on to the ground. The feet aren't going to slide.

[CountryB]

Thanks.

[RustyTools]

I had a class c with 4-corner hydraulic levelers. Often found it'd pull to one side one day and the other side the next - which I attributed to wind or road crowning. Until I realized I was twisting the frame each time I'd level with just a one-corner jack instead of the entire side.
I agree with the other.. lift a side or front or rear together, rather than one corner.

[oldguy70]

I have 3 jacks and I always put the front jack down first and I do one rear wheel at a time. I also block the wheels so it won't roll

[CountryB]

Thanks all,

I'm going to a truck tire shop tomorrow to get my outer dually tire replaced. I will use the hyd levelers to raise both drive tires. That should keep the frame straight.

I will put down the front (center) jack until it makes contact with ground, then use both rear hyd jacks to lift the drive axle evenly off the ground.

[DiplomatDon]

43 years driving truck and had my share of tires changed. Never drove a truck with jacks. When I had my tires replaced 6 years ago the tire man asked me to use the jacks. I told him to jack it up with their jacks. They have long handled air operated jacks and not a big deal. Also never let them jack under the center of an axle either front or rear. Jacking up the vehicle is part of their job, anything happens because of using your jacks whose liable? Just my opinion, Good luck Don

[CountryB]

I know what you mean Don.
But there’s a lot of places a tire guy might want to place his jack that look strong but will mess up my coach - like under one of the vertical support beams the axle radius arms bolt to. You have get under a ways to get to the axle housing. Can’t reach it from back with tag axle in the way, etc.
so if I can get up - I may prevent damage

[twinboat]

If you insist on them using their jacks, at least set your levelers to take the chassis weight off the axles.

Then they can jack the axles without bending things.

[96 Wideglide]

Originally Posted by CountryB

I know what you mean Don.
But there’s a lot of places a tire guy might want to place his jack that look strong but will mess up my coach - like under one of the vertical support beams the axle radius arms bolt to. You have get under a ways to get to the axle housing. Can’t reach it from back with tag axle in the way, etc.
so if I can get up - I may prevent damage

They should be getting their jacks under the axle itself!
I have a tag axle as well, but they had no problem getting jacks under the ends of the drive axle.
I asked whether they would like me to raise the body up with the air bags, to give him more room, and he said he didn't need it.
Skinny guy!