Jacking a Keystone Trailer

[Gapopper]

Can a Springdale be jacked up from the axle or should it be jacked up by the frame. My trailer is high off the ground. I haven't tried my floor jack yet. I may have to use blocks. What type of jack to you take with you. A floor jack is very heavy and takes up a lot of space. Maybe I need to purchase a good bottle jack. What are your opinions and how do you do it.

[jsmith948]

I use a bottle jack placed under the axle at the u-bolts. Use a hardwood block under the u-bolts.
Dexter will tell you to jack only under the frame. I don't like having to jack the frame so high in order to get the tire off the ground. Opinions vary on this, of course. Been jacking trailers this way for years - including loaded refer vans - never had a problem.

[chuckster57]

On the road I use the truck jack. Bottle style and under the U bolts. At home/work I use a floor jack and again under the U bolts, I don't use a block.

[notanlines]

People who jack only on the frame are the same as those who don't like bacon: they're just wrong! Way too much space between the frame and the ground.

[bobbecky]

I don't use any jack when raising our rig, as it has the Levelup system, but I do have one of these kits, along with their 12 ton bottle jack adapter to use with my 12 ton bottle jack when working on other trailers. When using it, if the wheel doesn't come clear of the ground, and most of the weight is already off of the axle, I then use a small bottle jack to get the axle that last little bit higher. This kit is a much safer way to jack up anything than using a stack of blocks. https://safejacks.com/collections/bo...ut-bottle-jack

[madmaxmutt]

Hmmmmm. I always used this on my Surveyor when traveling and doing bearing maintenance.



Can I not use this on a Keystone?

[MarkS]

Yep, the Trailer Aid Plus works on my Cougar. I do have to put a 2x6 under it to get enough lift. You can also use the TA to do most of the work, then use a bottle jack for the last little bit.

Just bottle jack under the U Bolts works. Bottle jack on a pile of leveling blocks, under frame, also works. Best to have options.


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[xrated]

I use the Anderson Rapid Jack on my Impact 303. I tried it in the drive way and it gives me about an inch under the tire. Easy to use and it seems to be very sturdy.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by madmaxmutt

Hmmmmm. I always used this on my Surveyor when traveling and doing bearing maintenance.

Attachment 13828

Can I not use this on a Keystone?

I use a Trailer Aid Plus and if doing more than changing a tire support axle with bottle jack after wheel is removed. I purchased this years ago after having a curb jump out and bite the sidewall of a tire. The only available area to change the victimized tire was covered in oil, water, and other EPA offensive materials. After crawling in the industrial ooze to use a bottle jack (no I didn't have wood to drive up on) I bought the Travel Aid Plus. It's light, no fuss and the cradle makes it easy to use.

[Outback 325BH]

I've never heard about so many folks having a difficult time jacking their wheels until I came to this site. Is jacking under an axle a lost art or something?


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[bobbecky]

The axle tubes on these trailers are much too thin to concentrate all the weight onto a small spot on the tube, and doing this risks crushing or bending the tube. It's much safer to lift from a sturdier point that won't damage an axle.

[Outback 325BH]

Originally Posted by bobbecky

The axle tubes on these trailers are much too thin to concentrate all the weight onto a small spot on the tube, and doing this risks crushing or bending the tube. It's much safer to lift from a sturdier point that won't damage an axle.

Uhh... no.

As long as you jack relatively close to the spring u-bolts, you are fine. You can safely jack at least as much inboard from the springs as the wheel/hub is outboard of the springs.

The stress placed on the axle while towing the trailer is much more than jacking while stationary.

If jacking would crush or bend the tube, the tube would bend at the spring mount from the trailer's own weight while sitting on the tires.


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[jsmith948]

10-4!!! The prohibition by Dexter regarding jacking on the axle is lawyer speak.

[whitmw]

Originally Posted by madmaxmutt

Hmmmmm. I always used this on my Surveyor when traveling and doing bearing maintenance.

Attachment 13828

Can I not use this on a Keystone?

This is what I use, Works great.

[notanlines]

Cmon, where else can you go and have this much fun for free? Danny, Steve, xrated, where are you?

[ctbruce]

My Impact came with a guarantee that a Keystone Lawyer will come out and change the tires for me. You guys didn't get that deal?

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[JRTJH]

CHIP !!!!! SHHHHHHH

That "perk" is for moderators only (NOT the general membership) Now we're going to have so many applications to be mods that we'll never get caught up !!!!

[ctbruce]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

CHIP !!!!! SHHHHHHH

That "perk" is for moderators only (NOT the general membership) Now we're going to have so many applications to be mods that we'll never get caught up !!!!

Ha! Too late now. The secret is out of the barn....

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[MarkS]

Outback, the problem is the Keystone manuals say "don't jack under the axel". "Frame Jack". Which has led to an endless forum topic.


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[Outback 325BH]

Originally Posted by MarkS

Outback, the problem is the Keystone manuals say "don't jack under the axel". "Frame Jack". Which has led to an endless forum topic.


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Gotcha.


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