Jack Stand Size or......

[markcee]

I am considering purchasing a set of jack stands for my 9500 lb GVWR trailer. I am interested in jacking up the trailer with my bottle jacks and using the stands on one side at a time for brake and bearing maintenance. In researching, it seems that under modern (post 2015 standards) capacities are measured by the pair (6 ton stands would be rated at 3 T each).

So, some questions:

1. Not sure if using the jacks on one side at a time reduces the needed capacity, so what size stands would you recommend (rated as a pair)?

2. If I wanted to jack up the entire trailer (to access all 4 wheels at once) what size stands would fit the bill?

3. I know the manual does not recommend this, and based on other posts I've read, this seems due to liability, but what are your thoughts on utilizing the Ground Control TT system in lieu of stands for performing maintenance.

4. If using Ground Control TT, what would it be best to do one side at a time, or both?

[notanlines]

You will find a large difference in the quality of jack stands, i.e. Harbor Freight, Auto Zone, Walmart, Hein-Werner, Craftsman. If I said three sets (6 total) of the better grade 3 ton jacks, these will give you piece of mind to actually crawl around and be safe/comfortable. Without starting a brand war here, you generally get what you pay for.

[wiredgeorge]

I am a member of another forum; HF jackstands have been recalled in the past.

QUOTE: Harbor Freight Jack Stands recall
There has a been a recent recall on 2 types of jacks stands from Harbor Freight.
NHTSA 20E016 and NHTSA 20E027
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/202...0E016-6561.PDF
https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases...ht-jack-stands

Only affects 1 model of 3 ton and 2 models of 6 ton. UNQUOTE

I use ACDelco brand jackstands bought at an auto parts store. These are 2 ton jackstands and I have used them on a camper of similar weight and didn't die so I guess they are adequate. I am guessing one jackstand can support 2 tons if it says 2 tons.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

I am a member of another forum; HF jackstands have been recalled in the past.

QUOTE: Harbor Freight Jack Stands recall
There has a been a recent recall on 2 types of jacks stands from Harbor Freight.
NHTSA 20E016 and NHTSA 20E027
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/202...0E016-6561.PDF
https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases...ht-jack-stands

Only affects 1 model of 3 ton and 2 models of 6 ton. UNQUOTE

I use ACDelco brand jackstands bought at an auto parts store. These are 2 ton jackstands and I have used them on a camper of similar weight and didn't die so I guess they are adequate. I am guessing one jackstand can support 2 tons if it says 2 tons.

I'd suspect that some "high quality jack stands" are rated for the weight capacity of each jack stand.... Harbor Freight, however, rates the capacity for the pair with the weight "evenly distributied over both jack stands"..

So, at HF, if you buy a pair of 3 ton jack stands, each one can support "half that weight or 1.5 tons"...

If you loaded each one with 3 tons (6 tons total) you'd be "towing a Montana with a Ranger".... (Critically overloaded)....

[ChuckS]

Since your RV uses the Electric jacks instead of hydraulic leveling jacks I would not use them to perform maintenance unless you had no other way to do so... The hydraulic levelers are totally different ( load capacity )...

I use many tools and such from Harbor Freight for various maintenance tasks.. Their jack stands however are not what I use...and won't

[flybouy]

Personally I wouldn't use a HF jackstand to hold up my 4' x 8' utility trailer. There was a time where I wouldn't put a HF tool in a bycicle tool pouch. They have come a long way on SOME things but not with their jack stands in my opinion. If HF is close enouggh go in and take a look at them. Note the weight in your hands, the "feel", look at the welds, the "fit" of the saddle into the stand. Then go to an auto parts store like NAPA or a store that sells automotive tools and look at what they are selling.

[markcee]

Thanks for the info all. I think I will settle on a pair of 12-ton (non HF purchased) stands and work on one side at a time, deploying the levelers on that side as well, after the trailer is already jacked up. Figure they can act as an additional 'just in case' safety measure.

[Dkentaz65]

My axle ratings are 6Klbs each on a tandem 5th wheel; gross wgt = 13Klbs. However, you have 4 tires and 2 front jacks supporting all this weight. Which if you divide it evenly = 2.XKlbs. I got 3 ton jacks to support one side on the axles as I perform wheel bearing/brake service.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by Dkentaz65

My axle ratings are 6Klbs each on a tandem 5th wheel; gross wgt = 13Klbs. However, you have 4 tires and 2 front jacks supporting all this weight. Which if you divide it evenly = 2.XKlbs. I got 3 ton jacks to support one side on the axles as I perform wheel bearing/brake service.

The weight distribution on 5 th wheels isn't devided "equally. "Typical" hitch or pin weight is between 20-25% of gvw. That leaves ~ 75-80 % split between the 2 axles but rarely exactly equally. Supporting one end of a 6k axle with a 3 ton stand may be ok IF it's a true 3T stand and not a set of stands rated as 3T for the pair. Many inexpensive stands are rated as a pair and not individually.

[chuckster57]

We have used GC 3.0 to lift trailers for axle service. Haven’t had any issues yet.