Jack "mod"

[dcg9381]

I'm a bit paranoid about getting under these heavy trailers as they've usually got round axles and bottle jacks really don't have a lot of surface area.... So I think I resolved that problem with a little scrap from the shop, a welder, and a bottle jack.... This works much better in terms of making sure your bottle jack isn't going to slip:

[bsmith0404]

Nice mod, but be very careful jacking on the axles. The manufacturer recommends jacking on the frame. I know this has been debated many times on this forum. Personally, I don't see how jacking on the axle as close to the spring/tire as possible can damage the axle, but I'm also not the manufacturer. I just jack mine on the frame (large flat surface area) as close to the spring shackle as possible, but that requires blocks for the additional height required.

[dcg9381]

That's a good point, but it's not always practical, especially in situations where you've blown a tire and aren't on even ground. I simply don't want to put a bottle jack on an elevated platform, on uneven ground, then try to lift it.

The axle tube probably isn't the best place to lift it, but it does bear weight (spring perch). Much easier to get a single tire up, suspension is still taking weight, and I'm more comfortable doing it in the event of a jack failure.

[bsmith0404]

I think I may use your basic idea and make a plate for the frame on my camper. I'm thinking a flat plate with end plates that will go on the sides of the frame to lock it in place. Then a short piece of pipe on the bottom that the bottle jack head will go into. That will lock it all together and keep the jack from sliding off of the frame. Nice little safety feature that is small, light weight, easy to carry, and easy to make.

[TomHaycraft]

Originally Posted by dcg9381

I'm a bit paranoid about getting under these heavy trailers as they've usually got round axles and bottle jacks really don't have a lot of surface area.... So I think I resolved that problem with a little scrap from the shop, a welder, and a bottle jack.... This works much better in terms of making sure your bottle jack isn't going to slip:

Great concept, if to be used to change a flat, make sure you have the vertical height when tire is flat. I was closer than anticipated with my bottle jack after tire blew in November.

[old timer]

This spring I am going to see if my Anderson levelers will work to lift the trailer enough to change a tire. I know it wont work if I get 2 flat tires. Wonder what the chances of that happening are? I was going to get a piece of channel that would fit the axle and weld a piece of pipe on the back that just fits over the head of the jack. That way the jack will store better.

[Desert185]

Originally Posted by dcg9381

I'm a bit paranoid about getting under these heavy trailers as they've usually got round axles and bottle jacks really don't have a lot of surface area.... So I think I resolved that problem with a little scrap from the shop, a welder, and a bottle jack.... This works much better in terms of making sure your bottle jack isn't going to slip:

If I were going to jack on the axle, I would make a jack adapter like you did, but I would use a gusseted, 6" or 10" piece of angle iron to spread the load along the axle.

I jack the axle, but I jack it on the spring perch just enough to compress the spring to clear the tire without actually lifting the trailer (like when doing wet bolts).

[Pull Toy]

I'm just sayin'

No way am I going under the trailer trusting just a hydraulic jack! Regardless of how you raise it..... JACK STANDS all around the work area!!! I wouldn't even trust my six point Lippert to work underneath.

[Yak]

Originally Posted by Pull Toy

I'm just sayin'

No way am I going under the trailer trusting just a hydraulic jack! Regardless of how you raise it..... JACK STANDS all around the work area!!! I wouldn't even trust my six point Lippert to work underneath.

Do you carry jack stands when you travel??

[hankaye]

Howdy All;

Like the concept, just that I'd have left the tubing straight and cut the top
2/3's off to make a "U" shaped cradle about 4" to 6" long to support the
axle beam.
The tangent to tangent surface area of contact in the OP's example would
(IMO), concentrate the weight onto to small of a surface area and possibly
bend the axle shaft. I'd also use a disc or other shape of base perhaps 10"
square to create a larger "foot print" for the jack to sit upon. On the jacks
we used for aircraft there were 3 feet and each had an 8" dia. foot made of
1/4" steel.

hankaye

[Alpine]

You have done some fine work there Desert185! I always enjoy looking and learning from others "modifications"!

[Desert185]

Originally Posted by Alpine

You have done some fine work there Desert185! I always enjoy looking and learning from others "modifications"!

Not sure what I did that you like, but thank you, anyway.

[roadglide]

With the saddle around the axle its less likely to move or bend the axle because of the weigh distribution spread out around the axle.