Jacking up trailer, changing tires

[Montana_2957]

We are getting ready to leave May 1 on 1000+mile trip to spend 3 weeks enjoying spring arrive on lake property in Northern Minnesota. I just realized there is nothing in the information I received with my TT that explains the proper way to raise the trailer if one needs to change a tire. I carry travel insurance through Good Sams, but would do a simple tire change myself. My plan would be to use a hydraulic jack to raise the axle, but I believe I recall someone commenting on the need to raise from the frame to avoid damaging the axle. That would require carrying some major blocks because of the height from the ground. Would appreciate any comments, recommendations as to what is appropriate. Thanks.

[Glenn and Lorraine]

Jack it directly below the axle where the spring connects. This is the axles strongest point and the springs would spread the load more evenly on the frame.

Jacking against the frame could cause twisting of the frame and would be the last place I would jack from.

[Countryfolks]

I have pulled the 5er onto a large block w/ramp under the good tire until the flat clears. The block must be about 7" to 8" high. Leveling blocks could be used.

Skip

[palebluedot]

I'm with Glenn on this one. From the frame, you would have to jack about twice as far to get the tire clear of the ground due to the sag of the spring. Just be careful to center the jack on the round axle to avoid it slipping off the side as you are jacking. I carry a block of hardwood for that purpose.

[tbhd]

Had a lot of experience jacking the trailer from our previous 5er with 15 inch tires. We carry a compact 3 ton floor jack and it lifts one wheel but will not lift the entire side of the trailer. It's best to just lift one wheel by the axle.

[kdeiss]

With a bottle jack under the axle all you need is a few pumps and tire is off the ground,Just changed all 4 tires one at a time with no problem

[sreigle]

We also use a bottle jack and have used it more than once. Same method Glenn mentioned. We used to carry a floor jack like tbhd and that also worked well. When the truck's toolbox got full and I needed to put more in there the floorjack went to one of our kids and we got a bottlejack. Skips' method of pulling one wheel up on a block would work also. One thing I like about that method is it shifts some of the weight of the Montana onto the side with two wheels on the ground, lessening the load on the one wheel on the ground on the side with the flat.

[Countryfolks]

Don't have to crawl under the rig to place the jack either, or worry about the jack slipping or damaging something.

Skip

[Thunderman]

I think I agree with Skip on this one. It makes sense to put the jack under the center of axle where the springs are as Glenn mentioned. The last time I had to change one was on the side of IH-10 just West of Houston with very heavy traffic. Using the blocks enabled me to do the job much faster and move on. No obvious problem at this time.

[Montana_3696]

we've followed Skip's method for several years and found it to be both easy and effective ... not only use it to change tires, but to adjust brakes as well

Jim