Lets face it - dealing with lukewarm water on an icy cold day is not pleasant! Can't use the leveling boards or trailer aid system because our trailer has wide spacing between the wheels. Never had a blowout of even a flat on our TT but would more than likely use our leveling blocks should the instance occur. When I looked at the thickness of the axle tube when Lippert replaced the axle believe me you would definitely reconsider ever jacking on the axle tube with a bottle jack. Trailer Parts Superstore - Leaf Spring Tech Info Tighten the U-bolts so they are snug, you do not need to torque them to the correct poundage yet. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'camperfront_com-box-4','ezslot_5',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-camperfront_com-box-4-0');Step 2 Ensure your tow vehicle is attached, switched off, and the emergency brake is activated. They had the same number of leaves and everything fit perfectly. Many modern trailers come with a leaf spring suspension which is designed to absorb road shocks and vibrations. (, Jack Stands, especially if you are only using one jack (, Hammer, preferably rubber, we really wished we had one when we did our replacement. Next, after each lug nut is loosened, you will want to place your vehicle jack under the travel trailer frame. It will also help you center the leaf spring. Both of those options would also depend on how heavy your trailer was at the time. Floor Jacks: If you are repairing your vehicle at home, a floor jack is the best choice. I have read, several times, that you should not jack up an axle to replace a wheel on a dual axle trailer. Make sure those stands are strong enough to hold the gross trailer weight. Bottle jacks work great, using two is recommended. Contact a representative to learn more about measuring for and choosing the right spring for your vehicle, and shop truck and travel trailerleaf spring replacements today to take advantage of our one-year warranty program on all new leaf springs. So where is the best place to place the jacks in order to lift the trailer to remove a wheel or work on the bearings? The center bolt of your leaf spring is known as the center point. Once youve lined everything up you can insert the bolt. The leaf spring on our 32 foot travel trailer was 26 inches from eye to eye when on the trailer. It is necessary to lift up the trailer to replace tire or repair parts under the trailer. once every 12,000 miles or when you notice any sagging, corrosion, cracks or uneven riding. Place the jack on the jack stand, and adjust the height of the jack by plugging the extensions. How to jack up a travel trailer to change a tire? Therefore, if you are the owner of a travel trailer you should make sure you are familiar with the process necessary to change one of your vehicles tires. Insert Bolt On Other Eye Of Leaf Spring, 11. Joezeppy said: I would say jack one wheel at a time by using the axle just behind the wheel as the jack point. Replacing Trailer Leaf Springs (Plus! Simple Those underbelly materials are not designed to handle any real weight. This is not essential for single-axle trailers but still recommended. Use the universal round jack pad on top of the jack to hold the frame of the trailer. This site is owned and operated by www.TheSavvyCampers.com. If you dont feel comfortable working on your own trailer have a professional do it for you. Before jumping on learning how to put travel trailer on jack stands, let me introduce some commonly used Common types of trailer springs include: In some cases, you might only need to replace the bushings if your springs are still intact and aren't buckling, corroded or elongated. Its up to you. The trailer leaf spring cost around $20. If you get leaf springs that are too high poundage they wont move under the weight of your trailer. Thick gravel can cause a jack to slip, which There are a lot of good jacks you can use but you need to make sure they will fit in the right spot correctly and then give you a big enough lift. If you lift the axle with the jack a little bit this may make it easier for the bolt to come out. Your request appears similar to malicious requests sent by robots. The traditional hi-lift models can hold 70000 pounds approx and can give you up to 48 inches of clearance when you need it. AutoSolutionLab.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'camperfront_com-medrectangle-1','ezslot_11',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-camperfront_com-medrectangle-1-0');report this adCopyright 2023 Camper Front | All Rights Reserved! To jack up a travel trailer to change a tire, you will need a bottle jack, ramp if dual axle, or other automotive jack. See Also:Best Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) For RV. (. Once you remove the jack the axle will be held up by the leaf spring. RV.Net Replacing flat tires and general upkeep are some of the most routine maintenance activities youre likely to encounter. How to Inspect Travel Trailer Wheel Bearings: A Step-by-Step. How to Fix Lukewarm Water Issues in Your Camper. The main thing to remember is to always be safe and make sure you have your trailer jacked up safely and tighten all the nuts and bolts to the proper poundage. You need to make sure the equalizer matches the leaf springs or the axles weight rating. If its an L shape bottom and the top is an L shape in the opposing direction, a bottle jack is not the way to go. how many leaves are on it. Once the main bolts holding the leaf spring to the trailer are removed you will notice that the only thing holding up the axle is the jack. Having a vehicle up on jacks may make it more unstable in high winds. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. WebI would then lower that side onto appropriate, (read: weight capable), safety jack stands. You can also shop our selection of U-bolts and fasteners to help you secure your new spring and enjoy long-lasting support. Home How To Replace The Leaf Springs On A Dual Axle Trailer. Leaf springs are typically mono-leaf, meaning they have only one leaf, or multi-leaf with clips between each layer. Follow these steps to calculate the right size spring for your replacement: Always replace your trailer springs in pairs for a balanced load. What Size Generator for Travel Trailer Is the Best? Here are a few inspection tips for the leaf springs: Look to see if the trailer is leaning to one side or the other. Then I place 2 jack stands. That's the way I service my bearings and brakes. They are only designed to stabilize the trailer and are not meant for lifting. Not on or under the axle. JavaScript is disabled. If the bolts are rusty and just wont come off you may need to cut them off later. When all is ready, place the jack so that it hits the frame just behind the axle and start pumping. COPYRIGHT 2023. Never jack up your trailer with your trailer jacks or leveling jack. The reason I used a floor jack for the axle is to make it easier to line up the trailer leaf spring with the mounting hole. If you have difficulty registering an account, logging in or need other account-related assistance, send us a message and well get back to you shortly. Each style also uses the same kind of leaf spring, there is no differentiation between under mounted or overmounted ones. You can jack up your boat trailer following the above guidelines. Do not use this link to ask for help with RV-related issues; Ask those questions in one of our forums. I had a tire fail on my enclosed car hauler. John contributed as a technical head at an automobile company just 2 years after his post-graduation in Automobile Engineering. Music You are using an out of date browser. To learn about other location options for jacking up your travel trailer, just continue to read our article. Put the lug nuts on the tire and tighten with your lug nut wrench. Get MORE out of The Savvy Campers Directly to your Inbox! The One And Only Guide To RV Leveling Blocks In 2023. A travel trailer that has been in use for 14 years may very well require new leaf springs. Once the tires are on the ground and the jacks are removed you can torque your trailers tire to the proper ft-lbs. These jacks are capable of handling up to 6000 pounds. Since the casting of round jack pads is fixed, you should choose the size according to your trailer frame. So without further ado, lets take a look at how to jack up an RV trailer safely and efficiently. Remember to tighten the lug nuts in a cross pattern. Posts. Total:1,107 (members:39, guests:1,068). Combine this with our lust for hiking and you have a great outdoor family! If you add a spare tire, you should not tighten the nuts fully just yet. Learn how to disassemble and reassemble your u-brackets, axle spring seat, bushings, shackles and attach leaf springs to trailer correctly. Bad Alternator Diode Draining Battery [Explained], Can A Bad Alternator Cause Loss Of Power [Explained], Can A Bad Alternator Cause AC Problems [Explained], Oil Leak On Alternator [Why + How To Fix], Alternator Smoking When I Hook Up Battery [5 Easy Fixes]. Once youve replaced everything you need to you should do a regular check of all the nuts and bolts. Proper way to jack up trailer to service wheel bearings - Forest River Next, make sure you have at least 2 jack stands to hold the trailer in place while you work. Each leaf is made of steel springs that are stacked on top of each other and attach to the axle with U-bolts. Keep in mind we are not professionals and any work you do on your RV or trailer is at your own risk. They are similar to a bottleneck jack but with a square design. The cost of a 2 ton starts at around $6, while the price of a 20-ton bottle jacks starts from $64. TT newbie here. Its average height is 1 foot and weighs around 18 lbs with 40,000 lbs weight lifting capacity. You can now finish removing the nuts holding the U-bolts. Sometimes you may not have any options and must use your axle but if you can avoid using that part the better for you. If you need to make any other repairs, place the jack near where you need to work, using the frame or the axles (they are the strongest points underneath the trailer). When we pulled into our campsite we saw that one of the tires had been worn down a lot by the top of the trailers wheel well. It is better to use an extension. Check for corrosion and rust on all sides of the spring. Thank you for stopping by. Once you get the proper size of leaf springs you will also need a few more parts to do a proper replacement. I have been camping most of my adult life and am passionate about having the best camping equipment as well as writing. You need to jack it up under the plate under the end of the axle that clamps the leaves. If you choose to go with a higher rated option, this is fine just know the ride may be a little more stiff. Step 7 Work in reverse order to complete setting the trailer back on the ground. Just jack it high enough to get the wheel off. On average, these jacks weigh around 6 pounds with a lifting capacity of around 3,300 pounds. For my trailers U-bolts the recommended torque was 70 ft-lbs. You may not have a choice either but if you can, it may be best to look for a better location that still gets you the right clearance. Mine is a 12 ton air/hydraulic jack jack. Best 2 Stage Dual Tank RV Propane Regulators Reviews 2023. A floor jack can move around and its easy to jack up or down. How To Jack Up A Travel Trailer [Step By Step Guide] Since travel trailers are normally larger than a standard car or truck, safely changing a flat tire on one often requires more space. WebTrailer leaf springs come in many different lengths and some may have the same capacity but different measurements and/or number of leaves. Personally I just keep a bottle jack handy and a few of my leveling boards and jack the axle up and do the service that is required (like change a flat tire). $46.96 - $99.73. After safely securing your vehicle with wheel chocks, you will want to use your lug wrench to loosen but not remove the lug nuts on the wheel of the flat tire. When it comes to safety, the stack of woods might not be stable enough. Springtime Maintenance for Your RV Trailer Ours broke completely in two. Per my attached picture our trailer has springs on top of the axles. Finally, the hydraulic bottleneck jack is a good option as well. Check the springs length while it is not loaded (jack up the vehicle by the frame); this is the How to Jack Up a Travel Trailer: Can You Jack Up By the Axle? As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Oceanside RV Resort: Enjoy A Relaxing Stay On The Legionella Bacteria In RV Water Tanks: What You Ne Running Gear, Axles, Brakes, Tires & Frames, https://www.forestriverforums.com/foad-184896.html, Axle replacement around northern virginia. If you have no clue what the backing plate is, here is an image: One reason you are supposed to avoid using the axle tube is that most travel trailers come with a torsion design and the weight on the axle could damage it. The vast majority of travel trailers and 5 th wheels use a leaf spring suspension to absorb road shock. When someone else is going to do repair work on your trailer, you can show them where to jack up the trailer and avoid having them damage your axles. How To Replace The Leaf Springs On A Dual Axle Trailer According to Forest River, their trailers should be jacked up at the backing plate. Look at each eye of the spring and note any cracks here and near the mounting plates. Always remember that there are multiple solutions for every problem. Be the first to be notified about FREE tips, hints, coupon codes, and email-exclusive information. When you go to change a flat tire on your travel trailer you will need the following items: The latter two pieces of equipment are interchangeable depending upon which type of travel trailer you are attempting to change a flat tire on. www.TheSavvyCampers.com is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.. I use wood pieces to drive on to get the tire of one side of one axle off the ground. Weather, aging and weight overload can deteriorate your springs over time. My 15-inch rims on my travel trailer required 90-110 ft-lbs of torque. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'autosolutionlab_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_12',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-autosolutionlab_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');Universal Round Jack Pad: Universal round jack pad is for gripping the frame or axle underneath the trailer. Why? Our rig is too heavy to crank jack under frame, I jack under leaf spring near end of axle when checking brakes and greasing bearings. Cover tires and have never noticed any bad effect on tires doing any of this. To unhitch a travel trailer from the tow vehicle, lower down the built-in jack from the tip of the hitch. Your access to this page has been blocked. It could happen years down the road as the axle gets worn and older. 2) I put my bottle jack under the trailer frame that the suspension is welded to. This is an independent, unofficial site. Large shoulders on the side of the road or empty parking lots typically work great. Having the tools and know-how to change a tire yourself is fine, but there may be many on-the-road blowout situations (too hot, too cold, too rainy, traffic whizzing by at 80mph) where it's more prudent and safer to make a call and have someone else come swap the tire for you. Next, you will want to pull out your vehicle jack, jack stand, wheel blocks, tire iron, and spare tire and wheel assembly. Scissor Jacks: Average weight of a scissor jack is 6.3 lbs which is around 3 kg with 3,300 lbs weight lifting capacity. According to some dealers, that warning was placed there to keep novice repairmen from jacking the travel trailer up at the center of the axle. Just follow the above steps to jack it up.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'autosolutionlab_com-leader-3','ezslot_15',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-autosolutionlab_com-leader-3-0'); Yes. These are much more conducive to lighter motor vehicles and smaller trailers. Once youve got the trailer where you want it you can lower the weight of the trailer onto jack stands or set them up for safety. Once youve removed the U-bolts and U-bolt plate you can take the leaf spring off. After you have these materials laid out in front of you, you will want to take your wheel blocks and place them behind every wheel on your towing vehicle and travel trailer (except for the flat tire). Hello, Any advice on the proper way to jack up a two axle travel trailer to service wheel bearings? Some dealers place the trailers on jack stands and others have suggested driving the trailer up a ramp and placing the axles on wood blocks. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. The manual says to lift on the frame. Hercules H901 Complaints and Review, Toyo Tire Date Code Guide: Where To Find and How To Read. The most important factors to consider when selecting replacement leaf springs are the axle capacity, the number of leaves, and the spring size. Use thread locker adhesive to help keep new bolts in place. You can now insert the bolt through the eye of the leaf spring on the equalizer side (inside). Some leaf springs have hooks or flat ends. http://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f88/how-to-jack-up-trailer-17027-4.html. Our travel trailer weighs 9,000 lbs so it took 2 large jacks to get one side off the ground. Jack up
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