Community Forums

JaycoEagle10 · 09-05-2014, 07:45 PM

What, and how do you raise a 2500# trailer with tandem axles that work against you, when changing a tire or greasing the bearings?

I wore myself out using a cheap 3000# scissor jack to get off a flat tire, then I placed a jack stand under the frame to help stabilize, then did the wheel bearings, fixed the brake magnet wires, readjust brakes and paint wheel drum and spray undercoat in the wheel well.

There's got to be an easier way before I do the 3 other axle wheel bearings and just overall checking/repairing/painting.

GlennLever · 09-05-2014, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaycoEagle10

What, and how do you raise a 2500# trailer with tandem axles that work against you, when changing a tire or greasing the bearings?

I wore myself out using a cheap 3000# scissor jack to get off a flat tire, then I placed a jack stand under the frame to help stabilize, then did the wheel bearings, fixed the brake magnet wires, readjust brakes and paint wheel drum and spray undercoat in the wheel well.

There's got to be an easier way before I do the 3 other axle wheel bearings and just overall checking/repairing/painting.

A 20 ton Hydraulic Heavy Duty Bottle Jack is the only way to go, it is compact and will lift the whole side of the trailer with little effort.

Bug Juice · 09-05-2014, 11:31 PM

I realize you asked about a jack and Glen Lever answered your question, but just as an option, have you considered this product?
There is a product out there for under $50. called Trailer-Aid that I've heard works well on trailers. Google it to get more info. Also there are U tubes of it too. It's a small ramp the you drive onto with the good tire and it lifts the flat tire off the ground. I think they come in a couple of different heights, so you just need to get the one that's right for your trailer. I have an older product that looks like a cresent moon and made out of aluminum that I use but at the moment I can't remember the brand name of it. I have 2 and use them under both front tires of my truck when I do oil changes and of course use only one when changing a flat on the trailer.

P.S. I carry a jack like the one in the picture in the previous post in addition to the ramp. Sort of like suspenders and a belt.

JaycoEagle10 · 09-06-2014, 06:18 AM

Thanks guys, I thought of a bottle jack, but haven't picked up any yet, which I know I need around on the farm anyway.

Bug Juice, I've see the ramp you've spoken of, and don't think it'll work for my needs. What if you have a blowout with both tires on same side? Doing the wheel bearings on 2-wheels(same side)? That trailer NEEDS to go up for both wheels.
Yeah, I see right now, I think a couple higher capacity bottle jacks will be much better--along with a couple more jack stands.

muskamoot · 09-06-2014, 08:26 AM

12 Ton Air Hydraulic Bottle Jack

Best tool ever for working on trailers and the motorhome.Effortless when using air,plus it can be used with a standard jack handle.A small pancake compressor will work for the air supply.

wa8yxm · 09-06-2014, 08:35 AM

I do not do that very often and when I did (Helped replace a broken spring) I simply brought over my air compressor and my jack-jack, this is a 12 ton air/hydraulic bottle jack from harbor Freight.

picked it up right smartly it did.

09 harley · 09-07-2014, 06:24 PM

Just my opinion. If you jack up under the frame you need to lift the side a long way to take up all the suspension travel and then finally get the wheel off the road. I do it the simple way.
I have an F150 and my trailer has 2 axles. The screw jack from my truck fits perfectly between the 4 bolts on the shackle that holds the axle. If your jack doesn't fit this well it is a simple matter to make an adapter to keep the jack from slipping off the shackle. That's the last thing you want.
Since I'm only lifting the tire off the ground I only need to lift the axle 1 or 2 inches. Very simple, safe and easy to do.
If you or anyone else wants to lift their trailer with a more difficult process that's fine but this has worked well for me for years and most tire shops lift TT axles this exact way. There is less stress on the trailer with this method.
The Trailer Aid maybe a fine idea but it overloads the axle still left on the ground when you use it. Probably not a big deal long term but I don't like the concept.
I like to keep it simple especially when changing tires or maintenance on brakes or bearings.
Give it a try and you will never look back!

GlennLever · 09-07-2014, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 09 harley

Just my opinion. If you jack up under the frame you need to lift the side a long way to take up all the suspension travel and then finally get the wheel off the road. I do it the simple way.
I have an F150 and my trailer has 2 axles. The screw jack from my truck fits perfectly between the 4 bolts on the shackle that holds the axle. If your jack doesn't fit this well it is a simple matter to make an adapter to keep the jack from slipping off the shackle. That's the last thing you want.
Since I'm only lifting the tire off the ground I only need to lift the axle 1 or 2 inches. Very simple, safe and easy to do.
If you or anyone else wants to lift their trailer with a more difficult process that's fine but this has worked well for me for years and most tire shops lift TT axles this exact way. There is less stress on the trailer with this method.
The Trailer Aid maybe a fine idea but it overloads the axle still left on the ground when you use it. Probably not a big deal long term but I don't like the concept.
I like to keep it simple especially when changing tires or maintenance on brakes or bearings.
Give it a try and you will never look back!

This will work with a trailer with springs,

but not so well with a trailer that has torsion axle. You do NOT want to lift the trailer by putting a jack under the torsion tube!

TQ60 · 09-07-2014, 07:58 PM

Floor jack is by far bast option.

Low profile gets under it.

Wide footing is more stable and long handle means you are not close to action.

Takes more room and heavier but smaller aluminum ones are available.

Just need to be sure right size...large enough.

GlennLever · 09-07-2014, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TQ60

Floor jack is by far bast option.

Low profile gets under it.

Wide footing is more stable and long handle means you are not close to action.

Takes more room and heavier but smaller aluminum ones are available.

Just need to be sure right size...large enough.

Most floor jacks you come across are only 2 ton, you need a 5 ton to actually lift the trailer

This is my 2 ton which is not enough to lift the trailer, I have to help it with the 20 ton bottle jack.

If you have a 5 ton it fits nicely between the two tires and will pick up the whole side of the trailer. Note the blocks of wood to spread the stress.

JaycoEagle10 · 09-07-2014, 11:05 PM

Went to local Farm Supply Store and found/bought a 12T bottle jack for my 19' Fleetwood. 24,000lb jack rating compared to 1/2 of 2500lb trailer. It had no problem lifting both(same side) wheels off ground when jack was placed under framework just behind rear tire. Now if you had a much larger and heavier trailer, then a 20T jack would be called for since more mass is involved and wanting the extra margin of safety that the 20T would provide.