Rapid Jack vs. bottle jack

Irishman2014 · 05-02-2019, 06:49 PM

Hello all. We're still in the process of equipping our TT with some basic necessities and trying to determine how best to jack the trailer up in the event that we need to change a flat tire. We have road hazard protection, but I'm certain that there will come a time when we'll need or want to do it ourselves. Our trailer weighs about 6500 Lbs (or more depending on all the crap we have in it) and would like to know based upon your experience if a bottle jack (maybe a 4 ton) is the best option? In my experience I'll also need a jack stand to work in conjunction with the bottle jack if the trailer is going to be elevated for any length of time. I believe this is simply because as the bottle jack ages the oil tends to shift from one reservoir to the other causing the jack to lose its holding power. The Rapid Jack eliminates this problem and it looks fairly easy to use. Thoughts?

**chuckster57** · 05-02-2019, 07:00 PM

Bottle jacks are powerful yet compact. I carry a 4 ton. Stored in an upright position mine hasn’t had any issues in over 10 years...and yes it’s from Harbor Freight.

**sourdough** · 05-02-2019, 07:40 PM

The Andersen Rapid Jack is really nice if it will pick your tire up far enough for removal. I had another brand that was a total fail. The Rapid jack does work for us. But, in some situations it may or may not pick the tire up far enough. I carry 2 8 ton bottle jacks as well along with boards, blocks etc. You encounter lots of situations when trying to replace a tire/wheel. IMO the more "stuff" the better.

busterbrown · 05-02-2019, 07:48 PM

An 8 ton bottle jack has a little more base and height than the 4 ton. IMO, it'll be a little safer under the axle.

As Danny stated, if the Rapid Jack works for your axle setup, it's also a good option. For wide spaced axles on my Bullet, it's a "no go".

Irishman2014 · 05-02-2019, 09:29 PM

I believe I have wide space axles as well, so I guess I better go with the bottle jack. Thanks all.

ahegewald · 05-02-2019, 09:51 PM

If you use a bottle jack, then use other stabilizing jacks are your trailer to keep it from moving and the bottle jack from popping out...crushing you.

hornet28 · 05-03-2019, 07:39 PM

These work great https://www.homedepot.com/p/Camco-Tr...w-21/206813627

notanlines · 05-04-2019, 01:27 AM

I'm going to vote AGAINST the use of Trailer Aid, although you may find a use for it if you happen to have a flat in the perfect location, say a Wally World parking lot. A bottle jack (4-8 ton) with a little blocking is our preferred way to travel. We happen to have two, one that came standard on the new truck, and the 10-ton that came a few years ago from the Snap-on Tool Company....that's my first lie of the day.

It was bought on sale at Tractor Supply.
But hedgewald makes a good point: Be sure to put safety first. Jack stands are a good idea if you are in the neighborhood of home.

hornet28 · 05-04-2019, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notanlines

I'm going to vote AGAINST the use of Trailer Aid, although you may find a use for it if you happen to have a flat in the perfect location, say a Wally World parking lot. A bottle jack (4-8 ton) with a little blocking is our preferred way to travel. We happen to have two, one that came standard on the new truck, and the 10-ton that came a few years ago from the Snap-on Tool Company....that's my first lie of the day.

It was bought on sale at Tractor Supply.
But hedgewald makes a good point: Be sure to put safety first. Jack stands are a good idea if you are in the neighborhood of home.

The same can be said for jack stands. Also we're talking about changing a flat not working underneath the trailer. The tire on the other axle will prevent it from dropping to the ground

KeithBook · 05-10-2019, 07:29 AM

Camco's "The Camper Aid" works well, but you may need to raise it 3" to 5" bring boards or similar to put under it.

I found that on my travel trailer, which I think has the More-Ride Suspension, allowed the other wheel to drop down quite a way so I could not get it off.

ahegewald · 05-02-2019, 09:49 PM

I've repaired bottle jacks....unless your using jack stands... prepare to have an accident. My business no longer repairs bottle jacks. They are cheap, they fail and they are not worth fixing...why put your life at risk?

Use tire ramps. Hydraulic Bottle jacks are unreliable and leak if tipped on their side.

the406life · 05-05-2019, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahegewald

I've repaired bottle jacks....unless your using jack stands... prepare to have an accident. My business no longer repairs bottle jacks. They are cheap, they fail and they are not worth fixing...why put your life at risk?

Use tire ramps. Hydraulic Bottle jacks are unreliable and leak if tipped on their side.

Tire ramps don’t always get the job done. We’re talking using a bottle jack to change a tire, not replace an axle assembly. The trailer isn’t going to fall on you if the jack fails on a tandem axle trailer. The other axle will catch it.
Used correctly bottle jacks are safe.

66joej · 05-04-2019, 09:00 AM

I carry an 8 ton bottle jack, 2x10x12 blocks and a folding camp shovel. Shovel to help level uneven ground for jacking if by the side of the road.

rjrelander · 05-04-2019, 12:22 PM

Anybody still use farm jacks? Looks like you can still buy them. We used to use them all the time growing up. Not sure how well they work for trailers though.

busterbrown · 05-04-2019, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjrelander

Anybody still use farm jacks? Looks like you can still buy them. We used to use them all the time growing up. Not sure how well they work for trailers though.

Big, bulky, and not practical for RVs. Lifting points on the frame would not be accessible on the RV. Hi Lift jacks are better suited for lifted, tactical, and farm vehicles.

GMcKenzie · 05-05-2019, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by busterbrown

Big, bulky, and not practical for RVs. Lifting points on the frame would not be accessible on the RV. Hi Lift jacks are better suited for lifted, tactical, and farm vehicles.

Agreed. They have their uses but I think the only place you could use one on a trailer would be the tongue/a-frame.

Picked up a new bottle jack (mine was pretty small) and a couple more jack stands (I now have 6) so I could do my spring bushings. Not one place I could use my jack-all (which is what a hi-lift has always been called in my life).

LHaven · 05-04-2019, 02:15 PM

Curse you all. This posting made me curious about the prices of bottle jacks at Tractor Supply. Now all my pages on Keystone Forums are festooned with dancing red bottle jack ads from TS.

busterbrown · 05-04-2019, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lhaven

Curse you all. This posting made me curious about the prices of bottle jacks at Tractor Supply. Now all my pages on Keystone Forums are festooned with dancing red bottle jack ads from TS.

Oh, the power of the "cookie".

tommy_z · 05-05-2019, 04:30 PM

Bottle jack owners: Do you place the jack on the axle to change a tire? Do you use anything to increase the contact area between jack and axle?

**chuckster57** · 05-05-2019, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommy_z

Bottle jack owners: Do you place the jack on the axle to change a tire? Do you use anything to increase the contact area between jack and axle?

Your going to use the spot where the Ubolts hold the springs onto the axle. Depending on which “tool” is available at the time, I have used both a floor jack and my personal 4 ton bottle jack.

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