Hydraulic Jack for Imagine XLS 22MLE

[garyparkey]

We are taking delivery of our 22MLE next week and wondering what size hydraulic jack we should get? Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

[howson]

We are taking delivery of our 22MLE next week and wondering what size hydraulic jack we should get? Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

Sorry...hydraulic jack for what purpose? Changing a tire?

BTW--welcome to GD Tech Forum!

[garyparkey]

Yes, changing a tire. Thanks.

[howson]

Yes, changing a tire. Thanks.

What I take with me is an accessory called a "Trailer Aid" (google will show you multiple outlets that sell the item). Your 22MLE has dual axles like my 315RLTS, so you can drive up on the Trailer Aid (on the good tire) and the bad one is elevated in the air allowing for an easy replacement.

Unfortunately in actual practice the Trailer Aid doesn't get my wheel off the ground--I have to put a piece of plywood underneath to get enough height. This is a common and known issue with the Trailer Aid.

Not a direct answer to your question...but a much lighter and easier-to-take-with-you option versus a heavy jack.

[Country Campers]

Yes, changing a tire. Thanks.

A small 2 ton bottle jack would work fine. There is a saddle available on line to fit the curvature of the axel tube. Make sure to only jack between the u-bolts as this is the strongest part of the axel.

Brian

[Cate&Rob]

garyparkey

A small 2 ton bottle jack would work fine. There is a saddle available on line to fit the curvature of the axel tube. Make sure to only jack between the u-bolts as this is the strongest part of the axel.

Brian

Brian's note about a "saddle" to fit the axle tube is important. Make sure that the saddle is a semi-circle and does not have a flat center section. The axle tube is relatively thin walled and can be permanently damaged by a flat topped bottle jack or flat center of a saddle. Note that the Lippert/Dexter service information that will come with your Imagine will likely say never to jack under the axle and to jack by the frame only. This can be a complicated process because lifting by the frame needs a much taller jack and/or blocking and more lift range. Many of us use the jack and saddle as Brian describes or the trailer aid described by Howardhowson for roadside emergency work.

Rob

[SBARLAG]

The ANDERSON HITCH RAPID JACK is another good option

[garyparkey]

Thanks for all the input. My Trailer Aid is on the way.

Gary

[mpking]

Anyone have a link on the Axle Saddles? I'm having issues finding them.

[Cate&Rob]

Anyone have a link on the Axle Saddles? I'm having issues finding them.

See this thread for ideas on axle saddles. https://gdrvowners.com/forum/operati...e-ground/page2 The best ones seem to be fabricated from a piece of pipe that nests uniformly to the axle tube and fits between the U bolts. This is welded to the top of a jack or another piece of pipe that nests tightly to the top of the jack. A local fabrication or weld shop could probably put one of these together fairly inexpensively.

Rob

[TucsonJim]

mpking

I knew sooner or later, somebody would start marketing the bottle jack adapter. A company called Bottle Jack Buddy is selling them for $38.99.

https://bottlejackbuddy.net/



Jim

[StephenO]

Would it be possible to just use a leaf spring adapter between a bottle jack and the axle tube, something like the in the following URL? Or would that be too small of a surface area for the bottle jack to contact safely?

[TucsonJim]

Would it be possible to just use a leaf spring adapter between a bottle jack and the axle tube, something like the in the following URL? Or would that be too small of a surface area for the bottle jack to contact safely?

That "may" work. I'd be concerned about it slipping. If you could weld a piece of pipe with the proper diameter to it, it might work just fine.

Edit. I thought "why not buy one of these, weld on a section of pipe to fit the bottle jack and try it out. The part is $4.99, but they want $21.00 to ship it! LOL. There are quite a few axle spring perch seats on Amazon with a lower overall cost.

Here's an example - $18.99 with free Prime shipping.

https://smile.amazon.com/Elitewill-2...8236420&sr=8-5



Jim

[Guest]

That "may" work. I'd be concerned about it slipping. If you could weld a piece of pipe with the proper diameter to it, it might work just fine.

Edit. I thought "why not buy one of these, weld on a section of pipe to fit the bottle jack and try it out. The part is $4.99, but they want $21.00 to ship it! LOL. There are quite a few axle spring perch seats on Amazon with a lower overall cost.

Here's an example - $18.99 with free Prime shipping.

https://smile.amazon.com/Elitewill-2...8236420&sr=8-5



Jim

Jim,

I found these at Tractor Supply also. Welded on a threaded pipe coupler which worked great. I did find that the saddle would not fit between the U bolts as they must vary in width between manufacturers. I inserted a piece of oak in the saddle that is the shape of the axle and placed it just inside the U bolts and it works perfectly without damage to the axle. Every trailer should come with one of these for changing tires of for general maintenance.

Jim

[Schiefswret]

A small 2 ton bottle jack would work fine. There is a saddle available on line to fit the curvature of the axel tube. Make sure to only jack between the u-bolts as this is the strongest part of the axel.

Brian

CC: do you recommend using the axle (between the u-bolts) as the best jacking point? Is there a risk to using the frame rail? pls advise, much thanks.