Springdale 266RL: how to properly jack up for tire/hub maint??

[DennisT]

I seem to have a lot of questions lately; thanks for bearing with me.

I'm going through axle/bearing/tire/brake maintenance, in conjunction with local shop. I'm thinking now that my brakes are not adjusted properly as I have weak brakes even with Hayes controller full on.

My Al-Ko axle booklet that came with TT describes brake adjustment. First they say NOT to jack under axle or suspension or damage will result. Well, this morning our Les Schwab Tire store, (who I have come to trust), immediately placed a floor jack under each axle just behind the wheel, and jacked it up from there. Al-Ko manual says, "see trailer mfg. for jacking instructions." Ha. I finally found in my Keystone general manual that the TT should be jacked up by placing a jack under the frame near the suspension.

Is that what you all do?

Oh, sounds as if all one needs to have for brake adjusting is an old-fashioned brake spoon. I'm guessing up with the spoon end will tighten just like old Chevs?

Dennis

[poncho62]

On one of my travel trailers, I jacked on the axle about a foot inside the spring, bent the axle........I guess thats why they say not to do it.

I would think if you jacked directly under the spring/axle (where the "U" bolt is), you would be fine

[DennisT]

Poncho:
Ouch. That's good to know. So when that happened, how did you realize your axle was bent? (Visual, didn't pull right, etc.)
Dennis

[Shelbs]

I was taught that best case, slide the jack between the tires and jack on the shackle. If you can't get the jack between the tires(some jacks will fit on some trailers... some won't), you can jack on the axle, BUT no more than a foot from the shackle. It can be tricky to get the jack lined up correctly but it's really a good idea to get as close to the shackle as possible.

As a mobile tech, I don't run into jacking anything very often. But when I worked for dealerships, they were very careful about training their techs how to do it properly because paying for a bent axle will increase insurance rates pretty quickly.

[LittleJoe]

If you jack one at a time at approx same point as where spring sits you will not have any issue. Adjust shoes out while spinning wheel to point where it is difficult to turn wheel, then back off adjustment until a very slight drag. If all 4 are adjusted the same and all magnets and drums/shoes are in good condition you should easily be able to lock up the trailer wheels on gravel.

[ctpd814]

All you need is the brake spoon. I don't recall which direction to tighten though.

[DennisT]

Good tips; thank you.

I guess it had not occurred to me that my TT's brakes were just like old-time stuff, just electrically operated. Now that I realize it has the old star wheel adjuster, I'll do it same as I did years ago on old Chevys. Oh, and it always used to be, "up to tighten," on the handle end of the spoon.

LittleJoe, thanks. It helps to know they should lock up the brakes on gravel. Gives me a benchmark to work from.

And I'm a bit more relieved about the bending-axle issue now too.

Dennis