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**Cate&Rob** · 10-12-2022, 05:58 AM

Lifting by the axle end means that a 2” lift will get the tire off the ground without tipping the trailer. Lifting by the trailer frame (as usually recommended by the axle manufacturers) means that you will need blocking under the jack to get it high enough, will have to lift 4” or more because of the suspension relaxing and will be significantly tipping the trailer towards the other side. With a 5th wheel trailer, lifting by the frame should be done with the trailer attached to the truck. If you do not do this, you risk overloading the front stabilizer leg as the entire trailer is tipped towards the side not being lifted . . . rather than just lifting the end of the axle without tipping the trailer.

Back to the OP question . . . rolling the other tire on that side up on to just a couple of inches of blocking has allowed me to get the bottle jack (with saddle) under the axle end of the flat tire with enough lift to install the spare.

Rob

**Jkwilson** · 10-12-2022, 07:26 AM

Originally posted by RGEarley View Post

To all the contributors, thanks for all the useful information. I thought this thread would address my question, but not sure it does. I had my first need to jack my Reflection 150 260RD last week when we had a blowout on the road. That's when I found out my 2 ton bottle jack did not have enough lift to raise the wheel from where it was with a completely flat tire to high enough to put a fully inflated spare on. It was certainly hopeless jacking up the frame due to spring extension; unfortunately I had not read the warnings about putting the bottle jack directly on the axel; although it wasn't there for long, I guess I need to inspect for visible damage. The tire shop seemed uncertain the best place to put their jack, but I'm sure it was large enough to span the U-bolts and distribute the weight through them.

Back to the crux of my question; my 2 ton bottle jack only has about 4" of lift, and it looks to me like I need at least 6" to get the inflated spare to clear. I picked up a 6 ton at HD, whose specs looked like it would have enough lift, but when I got it home and measured it's only about 5 1/2". (The specs implied more like 8" of lift based on minimum height and maximum height. I tried to see what the specs are indicating; the minimum height spec is easy enough, it seems right. But the maximum height in the spec is higher that when fully lifted and the screw extension down, but not as high as when the screw extension is fully extended.) Given that, I'm reluctant to order online when I can't match specs to reality.

So what's a recommendation for a jack that will fit under when tire is fully flat, and lift enough to get inflated spare on? Preferably compact enough to take along without too much space or weight.

The threaded portion alone should give you 4” of height increase on a 6 ton jack. I can’t imagine that little lift between the threads and the hydraulics.

**Jlawles2** · 10-12-2022, 08:28 PM

I don't remember without looking if I have a 2 ton or 6 ton from Tractor supply. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...ic-bottle-jack when you cannot get enough lift with the insert threaded out, throw a couple of leveling blocks under the flat when the jack is at max height, then retract the jack and add blocks under it. This will allow you to get the axle high enough to install the good spare. Most jacks list the range from collapsed to full height and some include the threaded insert.

**AlexPeterson** · 12-13-2022, 12:35 PM

I built this little tool for lifting an axle. The steel plate under the wood blocks is only 3/16" (what I had lying around) and does bow a little. Not a big deal, but 1/4" would be well over twice as stiff and would be better. I am planning to slightly shorten the vertical blocks until the u-bolts make contact and depress somewhat into the plywood base, sharing the load. I'll use this for routine maintenance. For flats, I'll need to also use a jack stand on the axle to get a few more inches of travel, as my stubby jack only has maybe 4" travel (as discussed in the previous post).

**Yoda** · 12-13-2022, 05:05 PM

Originally posted by John Brumbaugh View Post

We have a fairly new 2022 Imagine 2910BH, love it ! We plan on taking some pretty long trips this summer. We have trailer and car emergency roadside service but I was thinking I should also get an emergency jack just in case. I am wondering what kind of jack to get? scissor jack or hydraulic jack. What do people recommend? The gross weight is 8995 lbs. Also getting an emergency kit with flares, flags, etc. Hope to never use.
Thanks,
JohnB

I have this one and it works well - even in a gravel parking lot in the middle of no where on my Alaska trip. Gives plenty of lift. Just chalk the tires on both sides once you have driven up on it . Also have the truck parking brake set too so nothing can move. Do the same with a bottle jack too. I also carry a plywood sheet about 2x the size of the wedge for soft ground - comes in handy for other uses too.

https://www.amazon.com/Andersen-Manu...58835007&psc=1

As it is a static lift I am not concerned with overloading the other side tire or spring as the same force is applied using the bottle jack and if the bottle jack is not place properly withe proper blocking you can bend an axle tube.

Just my .02

Keith

**Guest** · 12-13-2022, 06:17 PM

Its best to not lift one side of the rig with a single tire as the supporting tire will be overloaded. Also wooden lifting devices to avoid the saddle while looking great could fail then the bottle jack could slide out from under the axle.

Two acceptable methods. One lifting by the frame or a bottle jack adapter to lift at the end of the axle. When Lippert instructs to not lift by the axle, they should be more clear that this means the center of the axle. The bottle jack adapter will have the same force on the axle as the spring perch does (minus some area for the welds). A wood insert could be placed in the bottle jack adapter to provide additional support of the axle. Lifting with a floor jack that may have raised sections on the pad can dimple an axle and should be properly blocked if used.

https://bottlejackbuddy.net/

Jim

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Emergency jack for tire change- Imagine 2022 2910BH

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