Jack it up!

[DCP]

When working on tires/wheels/brakes, should you put the jack under the axle or the frame??

[H. John Kohl]

you are going to get two answer. At first I used the axle between the U bolts. Now I use the frame. If you use the frame make sure you center the jack on the I beam so it supports the weight evenly.
Good luck and safe towing.
Cheers,

[LonnieB]

I use John's first answer, bottle jack between the u bolts, or on one u bolt. I have always used this method on every trailer of every kind I have ever had, and I have never had a problem. IMHO jacking on the frame puts un-necessary stress on the entire trailer.

[bsmeaton]

I lift mine using the eyebolts in the roof attached to my overhead bridge crane in the garage.

NOT - just thought I would give John a third answer

I've always lifted on the axle. However, when at the Dealer during our PDI, the Service Manager chewed the technician out when he started to lift by the axle on ours to remove a wheel. I asked why, and he said the Mor-Ryde system reacts different and he has dropped a few when the spring pivot shifted. Any truth to that? I don't know.

[nailbender]

There is a way to raise a trailer if you don't have a jack, but I must admit that I have not tried it yet. Place a wood ramp by one tire, drive foreword ( or backward ) onto the ramp and the trailer will be high enough to remove one tire. Obviously you can't remove both tires at the same time, but would work to changing a flat tire if you don't have a jack.

[kmh3212]

Nailbender Don't try that. If you lift the entire right side of your camper by one wheel you would be putting the entire weight of one side of the camper on one axle. as much as 5000+ lbs. on an axle that is rated for 6000 lbs total 3000 lbs each wheel!
The owners manual says jack up by the frame. You will need some substantial blocks to do this.

[exav8tr]

SO, How big a bottle jack do we need?????

[virgil47]

On jack size----Doesn't look like anyone is going to answer your question. Logically, if you have 6000 lbs axles then one tire is holding up 3000 so a 3000 lb bottle jack would suffice. I almost always over engineer everything so I bought a 6000 lbs jack just so I would feel better about it being enough. Now since I got a different TV, I wish I had gotten an 8000. The difference in price was minor

[H. John Kohl]

If you jack on the frame you need to lift the whole side so a minimum of a 6000 lb bottle jack. That is what I have. Now I wish I had over engineered and gotten 8k or better yet 12K. The down side to that is the jack starts to get too heavy and awkward to move around. The good side to a 12K jack is it is a lot easier to pump up.
Yes I use three 6x6x12" timbers when jacking a side of the trailer.
Sorry I forgot about the sky crain some members use to lift their trailer. (LOL)

[trukdoc]

I am going to back up Lonnie. I am a professional mechanic as well. The best place to jack up a tire high enough to be changed is directly under the spring pad on the axle. Lifting it there will continue to distribute weight as the springs and axles are designed to do. This way there is no undue stress on the frame and no need for a stack of blocks. Never and I mean never jack from the middle of the axle to pick up whole axle. As for jack, a 8 to 12 ton short jack, my preferrence is the 12. This gives me a safety margin. One more BIG item. I stress BIG, BIG,BIG!!! So many people get hurt or killed by not potecting vehicle or trailer from ROLLING. They get under vehicle, and vehicle rolls and slipps off jack. Always set parking brake unless replaceing brakes then block wheels not being worked on. Trailers are easy, put down front jacks and stabilizers "after" wheel is jacked up. And do not forget the torque wrench, I believe more tires come off from being over tightened than under tightened. Over tightening stretches studs and weakens them allowing them to break.

[exav8tr]

Thanks guys for the jack advice. I tend to over do things anyway so looks like a 12 ton for me. I really like the safety margin.....

[ashlandcpa]

Where is the best place to buy a jack for the Monty?

[lightningjack11]

You can get them most anywhere that sells tools or auto supplies. I bought my 12T from the local flea market and stationary jacks from Sears.

Right now all four wheels are on stationary jacks under the U-bolts. Never had a problem. I don't like supporting the weight on the thinwall frame. One slip and it is cracked. Older models like mine had a frame cracking problem.

[Craig A]

I have a 12 ton bottle jack that I got at wally world for about $20. I also bought a trailer aid (http://www.campingworld.com/browse/s...=10867:src=TSC) and predrilled a piece of 2X8 to go under it so it would lift the adjacent tire properly. What's your opinion on these? Anyone ever used one?

[trukdoc]

Northern Tool is a true mans store. Jacks and everything. Just like Las Vegas only take money you are willing to spend.

[exav8tr]

OK, I looked up the bottle jacks, OY what variety at Northern tool Rick. As I do not have my 3400 at home, can someone tell me the distance from ground to jacking point and how high should my jack extend? So many varieties and each one has different dimensions.....Obviously, I don't want to get one that would not fit under the jack point to begin with and yet must extend high enough to remove the wheel. Thanks for all the help with this one....

[LonnieB]

Phil,

The distance from the ground to the bottom of your axle shaft should be 13.9 inches, if you have 235/80R16 tires as I have.

Brad,

I can't seem to locate those eye bolts on my trailer, it must be something new for 2007, lol.

[exav8tr]

Thanks Lonnie