Jacking up a fifth wheel

[Mikelff]

NEVER jack up your rv on the axles. You can bend them and throw them out of alignment. ALWAYS jack up your rv on the FRAME. If you go to a tire shop, make sure they do the same, because they are used to cars, not RV’s. Yes, have your wheels balanced before mounting them on the trailer. All kinds of bad things can happen otherwise.

[chuckster57]

I have used the axle where the springs mount for over 10 years and I have yet to bend an axle or get it out of alignment.

I agree that putting the floor jack on the axle tube INBOARD of the springs isn’t a good idea

[larryflew]

I typically buy my vehicle tires through tire rack for my vehicles so have used their finder section to see what close shops will do their tires. Call the shops recommended and I'm sure they will do yours also.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

I have used the axle where the springs mount for over 10 years and I have yet to bend an axle or get it out of alignment.

I agree that putting the floor jack on the axle tube INBOARD of the springs isn’t a good idea

Have been jacking up trailers of all shapes/sizes for well over 45 years by placing the jack under the spring mounts, have yet to bend or harm an axle.
In order to jack a trailer at the frame high enough to get the wheels off will require a very tall jack &/or lots of blocks, whereas under the spring mount about 4-5 jack strokes & viola! done.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

Have been jacking up trailers of all shapes/sizes for well over 45 years by placing the jack under the spring mounts, have yet to bend or harm an axle.
In order to jack a trailer at the frame high enough to get the wheels off will require a very tall jack &/or lots of blocks, whereas under the spring mount about 4-5 jack strokes & viola! done.

It’s been way over 10 years for me too, just “professionally” for the last 10+ yrs.

[notanlines]

Got a good laugh out of the “starter fluid method” comment. Youtube is full of great videos of fools using this method.
I might also add, jacking on the axle/spring mounts beats jacking on the frame any day. And safer. No grip on the frame.

[ChuckS]

On my Alpine with six point hyd leveling system I typically lift the fifth wheel up on one side till the tires just are off the ground for all of my annual brake/wheel bearing work and suspension Lube..

I have also used my floor Jack right under the spring bracket plate as well for other work

After 39K miles of towing the camber on the axles is still great (tires wear evenly) from side rib to side rib on the tire tread..

Prior to the Alpine for over 38 years I’ve always used a floor Jack under the spring plate..never have had a y tire wear issues due to camber being screwed up

[jasin1]

Thanks again for the responses…gonna shoot for Monday or Tuesday to get it done

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by jasin1

Thanks again for the responses…gonna shoot for Monday or Tuesday to get it done

Check your PM.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by Mikelff

NEVER jack up your rv on the axles. You can bend them and throw them out of alignment. ALWAYS jack up your rv on the FRAME. If you go to a tire shop, make sure they do the same, because they are used to cars, not RV’s. Yes, have your wheels balanced before mounting them on the trailer. All kinds of bad things can happen otherwise.

Placing the jack like the picture will NOT affect the axle alignment, if it does your axles are way too weak!