Community Forums

starwarsfan · 05-15-2006, 05:07 AM

to remove the tire on our jayco 303 fifth-wheel to make a brake adjustment, the prodigy manual says to not lift or support trailer on any part of the axle or suspension system. our jayco manual doesn't give us any info on this. does anyone have any information on where we need to place the jacks to lift the fifth wheel? thanks, cheryl.

starwarsfan · 05-15-2006, 05:07 AM

to remove the tire on our jayco 303 fifth-wheel to make a brake adjustment, the prodigy manual says to not lift or support trailer on any part of the axle or suspension system. our jayco manual doesn't give us any info on this. does anyone have any information on where we need to place the jacks to lift the fifth wheel? thanks, cheryl.

charliez · 05-15-2006, 05:34 AM

I just changed tires on my 5'er and we lifted it at the frame, just behind the back wheel. I think the biggest issue with jacking it at the axle is it pushes the tire up into the fender wlll and it's hard to get out and put a new one in.

RustyJC · 05-15-2006, 05:41 AM

The concern is that jack placement under the axle itself can cause damage, and I agree - never jack directly on an axle. Personally, I use a hydraulic bottle jack under the spring plate (my 5th wheel's axles are above the springs) with a 2x4 block between the jack head and the spring plate to raise a tire off the ground. The spring plate carries load by design - it, with the U-bolts, transfer trailer weight from the spring to the axle. I prefer this to jacking on the frame since a lot of jack travel is required to first unload the suspension and finally raise the tire.

Others use a ramp under the other tire on a given side to raise the desired tire off the ground.

By the way, I just noticed that this is your first post - Welcome to iRV2.com! It's great to have you on board!

Rusty

starwarsfan · 05-15-2006, 09:47 AM

thanks to both of you for the super-fast and helpful replies. i have passed this information on to my husband and i know it will help him very much. and thanks also, rusty, for the welcome. what a friendly and helpful site! we haven't even had our "New" (used) fifth-wheel on the road yet and i already feel like part of the rv family! thanks again, cheryl

diandtom · 05-15-2006, 03:05 PM

I have had tire problems in the past and have used a bottle jack to raise the fiver but now I do it with a piece of 6X6 and a short piece of 2X8 to make a ramp it much easier for me.
Tom

starwarsfan · 05-15-2006, 05:09 PM

thanks diandtom. another great idea! we really appreciate all of the helpful suggestions! i only joined the site today and i am already so impressed with the friendly people! thanks again, cheryl.

Ray,IN · 05-19-2006, 05:56 PM

I also use a bottle jack under the spring plate. Don't place a jack anywhere else on the axle or you risk bending the axle. Trailer manufacturer's discourage using a ramp under one wheel to raise the other off the ground. This overloads that one axle, and again risks bending it. A jack under the spring of the flat tire is the safest way. Again, welcome to irv2.com!

starwarsfan · 05-19-2006, 06:20 PM

thanks ray. it would be nice if we got such great responses other places when we need information. so far we are very impressed with the people and the site. thanks for another helpful and nice reply. so far we have just worked on the fifth wheel. we haven't even tried towing it yet, but i'm sure we will love it once we finally get it on the road! thanks again and blessings, cheryl.

Rick007 · 09-07-2006, 07:25 AM

Hi
I have a Jayco 26.3 I use a 6 ton bottle jack under the frame rail. ( Be carefull ) As I was jacking for the first time I found the tubular frame is not strong enough for a the small footprint of the jack. I just happend to have a 3/8x2" flat bar. I cut a piece 8" long and place this against the frame. Works great.

Rick

starwarsfan · 09-07-2006, 01:01 PM

thanks rick for another great suggestion. i will pass the info on to my husband. boy, experience really is the best teacher! and i'm sure we have some flat stock around here as my husband is always welding something! blessings, cheryl.

Rick007 · 09-08-2006, 04:25 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Rick007:
Hi
I have a Jayco 26.3 I use a 6 ton bottle jack under the frame rail. ( Be carefull ) As I was jacking for the first time I found the tubular frame is not strong enough for a the small footprint of the jack. I just happend to have a 3/8x2" flat bar. I cut a piece 8" long and place this against the frame. Works great.

Rick </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
P.S thats is where Jayco recomended jacking it

starwarsfan · 09-09-2006, 04:48 AM

well, they ought to know! thanks again, cheryl.

Frank P. Martin · 09-09-2006, 06:12 AM

I posted this back in 2001. I was unable to find anything concerning where to place the jack under the trailer (in my case a travel trailer). so I emailed the question to Jayco. Here's the link to that posting and Jayco's response.

Jayco's response to jack placement