Bottle jacks - Montana Owners Club

sambam · 03-22-2014, 09:52 AM

I'm curious as to what everyone uses for bottle jacks that they keep in their rigs. I just realized that if I need to change a tire, my GM truck jack isn't going to get it done. The trailers GVW is about 15,500. Thanks.

tweber502 · 03-22-2014, 10:04 AM

You have to remember that you are not trying to lift the entire camper, you're only lifting one side of one axel. I carry a 4 ton bottle jack. I place it beneath the 'U' bolts just behind the wheel assembly. Tim

bncinwv · 03-22-2014, 10:07 AM

I carry a Harbor Freight 6 ton bottle jack that I got with a coupon years ago for $9.99. Have had to use it to change a flat on the 3400 once, and it did not have a problem lifting the rig on the side that I needed to change the flat. I used the jack to raise the rig by the frame, blocked the frame up, then used the jack to raise the axle beneath the ubolts. Worked fine.
Bingo

sambam · 03-22-2014, 10:46 AM

Good stuff, thanks. I have a defective Marathon and when I went to remove it a couple of weeks ago, my truck jack wouldn't work and neither would my 2.5 ton floor jack. I managed to get the tire off the ground using the two of them in tandem. But, it's not really the way I want to be changing tires.

H. John Kohl · 03-22-2014, 12:37 PM

I carry a 12 ton bottle. Much easier to raise the side of the trailer.

dieselguy · 03-22-2014, 01:04 PM

I carry a 6 ton because that is what I had. Like some above, I place it between the U bolts under the springs ... you'll only be lifting a bit over 3000# if you only raise one axle at a time. There's a big conundrum on this website dissecting the evils of lifting a single tire off the ground with the jack placed in between the U bolts, but several of us practice the feat with years of success behind us. I will point out that placing a jack under the middle of an axle on a trailer as heavy as ours to raise both sides at once is not an experiment you should ever try.

**DQDick** · 03-22-2014, 01:40 PM

Coach-net is what I use and don't carry a jack.

jackel1959 · 03-22-2014, 01:45 PM

I carry a 12 ton bottle jack. I only needed to use it one time and that was on our previous Mountaineer......works great if needed.

Jack

mhs4771 · 03-22-2014, 02:27 PM

OK, no one mentioned it, so I will: If you have the Level-Up System you have a built-in Hydraulic Jack system.
But I do have a 12 Ton Bottle Jack from Tractor Supply in the tool box in the TV.

**DQDick** · 03-22-2014, 02:29 PM

True, I would use that in a pinch.

Art-n-Marge · 03-22-2014, 06:29 PM

I started with a 6 ton, but added a 12 ton. Keep in mind when lifting around each tire/wheel you could be lifting what would amount to between 1/4 and 1/2 of the GVWR. It also depends if the TV is holding up the pin weight on the TV's hitch. I have used a bottle jack by itself many times, but if it's gonna be a long time the jack is in place, I also shore up the jacking point with stacked 4x4 blocks under a suitable jackstand (not stabilizing jack) at least 3 ton capable at the frame.

This is why many of us use such powerful jacks (4 to 12 tons). It's so much better to provide margin when lifting even just a part of the rig.

1retired06 · 03-23-2014, 03:47 AM

I carry two 20 ton jacks. Still short enough to get under everything.

JandC · 03-23-2014, 04:10 AM

I carry a 10 ounce cell phone and Roadside Service.

mlh · 03-23-2014, 04:14 AM

I carry a nice little light 4 ton jack. It's all I need to lift 1 wheel of my camper at a time.
Lynwood

Rainer · 03-23-2014, 04:21 AM

I purchased a 12-ton bottle jack from Harbor Freight last year shortly after we purchased our Monte. I have yet to use it, but I purchased it for peace of mind. I have that.

timandsusan · 03-23-2014, 05:24 AM

I carry a 12-ton bottle jack that has been used several times. I prefer to get the job done and get on the road. I still have roadside service but I also want to be prepared. In addition I carry a 4x6 floor mat to put down for me to lie on under the Monty--that has been used also. My Alaska trip convinced me that without cell service on the Alaska Highway--I need to be prepared!

richfaa · 03-23-2014, 05:29 AM

We do not carry them anymore. We have the 6 point level up on the Montana and road service for the truck. We are age challenged and do not do those things anymore.

randye · 03-23-2014, 05:50 AM

I found if you put block ramp and run the trailer up on the good tire, it relieves the pressure on the bad one axle that is. then you can use the 4ton or 6 and it lifts very easy.

TLightning · 03-23-2014, 07:14 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by bncinwv

...I carry a Harbor Freight 6 ton bottle jack that I got with a coupon ...

Same here.

scott-pati · 03-23-2014, 10:30 AM

I've played with the level up at home. I can raise either side up by adding some blocks to the side I need lifted up. If you prepare yourself correctly, by having the spare down and ready and the lug nuts loose it would only take 10-15 min to do.

When I tried it the side to side angle was only .4 if I remember, but it was not tilting very much to be a concern.

The system will lift all 4 wheels off the ground without any blocks to add. I found this out by accident when I was doing maintenance cleaning and spraying silicone on the legs. I wanted to get full extension for a good cleaning.

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