Lifting the trailer

[sande005]

The manual with my Imagine 2670MK seems rather vague about it, and I've seen the range of opinions expressed elsewhere..so it would be good to get an "official" statement:

For tire changes, bearing repacking, etc. where is the best place to put the jack and jack stands to raise the trailer to be able to remove a tire?

From users - what jack and stand would you recommend?

[Cate&Rob]

Hi sande005,

For the type of service you ask about, I lift just the axle end until the tire is off the ground. I do this with a "saddle" on the top of the jack that fits to the OD of the axle tube between the U bolts. I know that the axle manufacturers say to "lift only by the frame" but, I have seen their own technicians lift by the axle ends. Usually with a block of wood under the U bolts. You should never lift by the centre of the axle tube because it does not have the strength for this.

Lifting by the frame means that you have to lift the frame several inches, either twisting or tilting the entire trailer before you get the tire off the ground. Lifting less than 2" at the axle end gets the tire off the ground and puts none of these twisting/tilting loads into the trailer body.

I actually store our Reflection with the four tires just off the ground using four of the (relatively inexpensive) jack & axle stand combination units described in the attached.

Rob

[Superduty]

Update:

to lift a tire, I purchased the adapter pictured here from Bottlejackbuddy.net,
3” axle adapter..

Found this on a while ago. I typed in, 3” axle bottle jack adapter” in my browser. (I do not have the link). ( not from Amazon).
Sorry for the wrong information.

steve

[Mark & Andrea]

Great idea. Did not know these existed. Ordering one now.

[Canyonlight]

Steve - thanks, for posting the name where this can be purchased.

Dan

[Yoda]

You can also find the bottle jack here https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...k?cm_vc=-10005

Superduty - do you happen to have a link for the 3" axle adapter?

[Beachcamper]

I need to get one of those axle adapters as well. Looks safer than my method or wood block. Please post link when you get a chance. Thanks!

[ncitro]

You can also find the bottle jack here https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...k?cm_vc=-10005

Suoerduty - do you happen to have a link for the 3" axle adapter?

I have not bought one yet, but this is the one I have seen:

https://safejacks.com/collections/bo...or-bottle-jack

[Superduty]

Okay, update. Bottlejackbuddy.net is where I purchased this from, not Amazon. My bad. Sorry for the miss information. $39.00

Sorry for late reply, just got home from a 4 day camping weekend.

eBay has these also. Type in, Bottle Jack Axle Adapter Lifting Saddle. About $37-39.00.

[Cate&Rob]

Beachcamper & ncitro
Hi Guys,

Be really careful lifting directly on the axle tube or with a "universal" saddle that has a flat lift area. The axle tube wall is very thin and it is important that the saddle be a 3" ID smooth half circle as shown in the picture by Superduty that nests uniformly to the axle tube with no flat pressure points. The next best idea is a block of hardwood under the U bolts where the U bolt contour provides the smooth nesting to the axle tube. No flat lifting surface should be placed against the axle tube, even between the U bolts. An indentation will seriously compromise the strength of the axle tube.

Rob

[ncitro]

Beachcamper & ncitro
Hi Guys,

Be really careful lifting directly on the axle tube or with a "universal" saddle that has a flat lift area. The axle tube wall is very thing and it is important that the saddle be a 3" ID smooth half circle as shown in the picture by Superduty that nests uniformly to the axle tube with no flat pressure points. The next best idea is a block of hardwood under the U bolts where the U bolt contour provides the smooth nesting to the axle tube. No flat lifting surface should be placed against the axle tube, even between the U bolts. An indentation will seriously compromise the strength of the axle tube.

Rob

That's a good point, I didn't realize how flat that was compared to the one Superduty posted. Might do better to make one out of pipe as discussed before. Kind of why I've held off so far. Anyone find a source to buy the rounded ones?

[Country Campers]

I searched all over Amazon and could not find the one pictured above. I have fabricated my own , which I know not everybody can do. If he does provide a link that would be great.

Brian

[Beachcamper]

I think I found the adapter Superduty mentioned. Will add this to my kit.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bottle-Jack...-/264297229034

[Superduty]

Steve - thanks, for posting the name where this can be purchased.

Dan

You are welcome Dan, and all. Glad to help out.

[Cate&Rob]

The best place to locate the saddle is between the U bolts. This prevents the adapter/jack from sliding in any direction. But . . . first check the fit of the saddle adapter to this space. When I made my first one (on the left in the picture) I discovered that it was contacting the U bolts before it nested to the axle tube. See the witness mark at the arrow. Version 2 (on the right) has an extension to reach the axle tube without contacting the U bolts.

Rob

[Big Red]

I lifted my old one 3” so that I could put a larger wheel and tire on it due to load issues. Worked out perfectly, purchased the lift blocks from a Canadian Company. Unbolted, lowered the axle, inserted block, raise axle and rebolted, one wheel at a time. No issues at all. Towed very nice.

[Bigharje]

I’ve measured the distance from ground to bottom of the axle (u-bolt) and I cannot find a jack short enough to fit. Especially if I add the saddle discussed here. What jack do you use? I have a 367BHS.

[Wapati Wind]

Hi All. I just purchased one from Safe Jacks.
When looking to order a hydraulic bottle jack axle adapter, be sure to check the adapter specifications. Specifically the adapter collar size. The business end of the jack ram arm diameter is different between a 6 ton & 12 ton capacity jack. The adapter collar needs to fit over the end of the ram.