Tire change

[ACFD139]

I'm going to have one of my tires changed. Is it going to be OK to use my hydraulic stablizer on that side?

[gkonney]

When I had new G614's mounted I pulled into the Goodyear Retailer and they did not have a portable hydraulic jack that would lift our 3000RE. Do not lift on the Axles!
I simply blocked it up and used the hydraulics to lift the entire Rig off the ground for 20 minutes or so?
Was I wrong to do this? I see Buss's completely off the ground at campsites quite often...

[coachgrowl]

Why do you not want to lift on the axles?

[rohrmann]

The Dexter manual says don't lift on the axles, but suggest you lift on the frame so you don't damage the axle tubes. I use the hydraulic Level-up always to change tires and to service the bearings and brakes. I've had the rig fully supported for up to three days one time to do a brake replacement and have the drums turned. It's just wise to stay out from underneath the rig when it is off the ground, and if available, you may want to place jack stands under the frame just as additional safety. The hydraulic rams are rated way over the weight of these rigs, so I don't worry about using them to lift the rig. Others may have a different opinion, but this is what I do.

[topjustice]

Originally Posted by ACFD139

I'm going to have one of my tires changed. Is it going to be OK to use my hydraulic stablizer on that side?

I just used one of these to change a tire or adjust brakes.

https://www.amazon.com/Trailer-Aid-T.../dp/B000I4JPZE

[drjjj]

Keep in mind that if the ground under the rig is not perfectly level that the Level Up will not function. I had a slow leak in a tire due to an improperly installed metal valve stem. Limped in to Santa Fe, NM from Chama-two Discount Tire stores there-one told me there was no way they could accommodate our truck/trailer combo-the other one barely could, and the parking lot was sloped. They had to bring out three of their floor jacks to get the rig off the ground in order to remove the tire. Got it done, but will put my 20 ton bottle jack back in the rig with a couple of boards for the next trip "just in case".

[BB_TX]

Originally Posted by coachgrowl

Why do you not want to lift on the axles?

As noted, Dexter says not too. And I think that is a CYA. But it is a common practice among owners who don’t have Level Up to jack under the axles under the spring U bolts. Would not be a good idea to place the jack to either side of that as that could bend the axle tube.

[dieselguy]

Although not the answer to the OP's question, I side with Bill here ... the Dexter suggestion of jacking up the frame is just a CYA to protect them from some air head that wouldn't know any better than place a jack right in the middle of the axle tube and try to lift the entire RV. Scores of us have placed the jack under the axle tube in-between the U bolts to change tires. I've used a load cell on top of a jack under my axles years ago to without question show what was being lifted. Lifting a single wheel on my 3150RL about 1/2" off the ground shows @2650# on the load cell. Of course the higher you jack the fiver, the weight will increase a bit as you are taking on more weight from the suspension as you compress the leaf springs, but 1/2" is plenty to change a tire. Cribbing and jacks to lift the whole side up puts more stress on your unit ... she responds by popping, cracking, and groaning. You have to raise the unit higher this way to let your tires dangle on the springs plus you're picking up way more weight. Stepping away from the podium ... just couldn't keep it zipped.
PS ... I'd use the level up in a heartbeat ... it can lift the frame equally

[dieselguy]

I made these jack caps to use under the axles of my stuff. They fit in-between the U bolts and cradle the axle tube. I've got different ones to fit different jacks.

[Texan]

Originally Posted by topjustice

I just used one of these to change a tire or adjust brakes.

https://www.amazon.com/Trailer-Aid-T.../dp/B000I4JPZE

This does work great as long as you don't have I.S. I raise my whole unit up at one time when packing wheel bearings. If i trust a bottle jack then why not trust the leveling system.Just don't obligate your body . When doing wheel bearings i do one wheel at a time and keep my head out from under the rv. If i go under the rv to inspect the unit i use a creeper and never raise the rv. I do have an advantage of being on concrete compared to being on dirt or gravel but i keep a large piece of cardboard folded in my storage compartment in case i need it when traveling.

[bethandkevin]

The short answer to your question is yes. The hydraulic leveling jacks can be used to raise the entire trailer so that all wheels are off the ground! You will have to do this manually.

[Eagleback]

To lift off the frame with a single jack the unit must be hooked to the truck or you will torque the frame on the front landing gear and its possible to bend the frame. I have a lowboy bottle jack and lift off the axle under the leaf springs. been doing it for years on many many trailers, you only need an inch to get the tire off.

[cw3jason]

Yes, the level up is more than strong enough.

[CaptnJohn]

Twice I've seen the ELECTRIC 6 point be used. Connected to the truck and 2 side levelers bring up the wheels off the ground. Each leg is rated to 5000#.

[bigred715]

I also use a jack under the U-bolts and use a piece of 3/8 flat bar to span the u-bolts and jack from there. Have done this many times,

[phillyg]

I've used the level-up system to raise one side for a tire change; no problem. I've also used a bottle jack under a spring perch many times with no damage.