Community Forums

frankdamp · 12-01-2011, 08:02 PM

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum for this post, but it looks the most reasonable.

As some of you may know, I'm thinking of putting my Gerogetown 325 up on axle stands for the winter because of the potential for rusting of the piston rods on the levelling jacks. The leveller manufacturer thinks 60 miles from saltwater is "close" and I'm only about 60 yards away!

Last winter, I left the levellers down and did get some rust patches, but was able to buff them out. As a former airplane hydraulics engineer, I'm very sensitive to the possible relaibility effects of corrosion.

A couple of days ago, I started researching jack stands. Our nearest Harbor Freight store is about 50 miles away, so I first went to NAPA's web-site. Found some really good-looking ratchet-style stands that are rated at 7 tons. Unfortunately, NAPA doesn't post prices. I'll have to call the store.

On Harbor freight's site they have a "6-ton jack stand set" for less than $50. Nowhere do I see a definition of what the capacity number means. I initially assumed 6 tons per stand, but I'm a bit concerned that my rear axle weight might be higher. I haven't weighed the rig in its "ready for winter" configuration, but I figured a pair of stands with a 6 ton per jack rating would be fine.

I decided to check, and sent an e-mail to HF's customer support. Surpise - the 6-ton rating is for the pair! It does say "6-ton jack stand set", but I wonder how many people would assume it meant 6 tons per jack? Sure glad I checked!

Now the choice comes down to HF's "12 ton jack stand set" (and driving a 100-mile round trip to get them or buying on line and paying for shipping) or going local with NAPA.

Mr_D · 12-01-2011, 08:07 PM

Yep, I noticed that while in the store. I always thought it was each when they showed a rating.

sc3283 · 12-01-2011, 09:35 PM

Why not grease the shafts of your jacks? In spring when ready to move the RV...clean the grease off of each shaft. You know the jacks will hold the RV, unlike some 3rd world country jackstands that you have already found to have been advertised decpetively

Finhawk · 12-01-2011, 11:04 PM

NAPA has good stuff,not like the junk Harbor Freight sells

Yellowreef · 12-01-2011, 11:07 PM

I knew that the hard way. Bought the 3 ton stands on sale and when I read the manual it said you need to use both to achieve the 3 ton rating. Fortunately it was a really good sale and I was planning on using both anyways.

Yellowreef · 12-01-2011, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finhawk

NAPA has good stuff,not like the junk Harbor Freight sells

Sorry, but certain things like jacks and jackstands are made in the exact same country. As a matter of fact, side by side some jack stands are exactly the same except painted a different color. It's sad but true.

bldrbob · 12-02-2011, 05:53 AM

4x4 fence posts cut to a reasonable length and stacked in an interlocking pattern would probably hold the load and be safer than an uderrated jackstand.Do not use concrete blocks.They can crack under load.

Elf111 · 12-02-2011, 06:20 AM

Are you sure you want to leave your mh on stands for that long. It seems like a lot of weight concentrated on a small area. The jacks have been engineered to support the weight without causing damage to axel or frame. IMO it would be safer to take steps to protect exposed jack cylinders.

IC2 · 12-02-2011, 06:21 AM

I have the 6T HF stands, and while they are well built, the IB does say that the 6T is for the two combined - which I knew. These are heavy enough for my purposes of holding one end of my F350 or my 34' heavy Titanium 5er. HF do have some 12T on sale for ~$90 now and 4 will probably be more then enough to hold up your MH. As much as I like NAPA (spent ~$50 there yesterday

), many of their items like jack stands are built in the same factory/country as HF, just painted and rated differently.