turbodaddy
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17' 1965 Fan "Sunseeker"
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Post by turbodaddy on Oct 23, 2014 17:35:56 GMT -8
I need to pull the wheels to have new tires put on rims. My trailer has 4 "leveling" jacks. (I used a hydraulic bottle jack to check bearings when I picked it up from seller and it was a challenge to remove the wheels. Very tight clearance in wheel wells). Is it safe to leave the trailer supported by only the leveling jacks while the wheels are off? If not, what is the best place to put jack stands?
As always, input is most appreciated!
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Post by bigbill on Oct 23, 2014 18:33:48 GMT -8
I personally use jack stands the same as I would use for my truck or car placed under the frame allowing the axle to hang down making it much easier to remove and replace the wheels. I do this because I have no desire to have it fall on me.  |
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John Palmer
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Post by John Palmer on Oct 23, 2014 21:35:44 GMT -8
IMO, the short answer is NO, don't do it, buy and carry some small jack stands.
I don't believe they were ever intended to be "jacks", as would be something to raise an object. I think they were sold, and advertised as "stabilizers", as something to keep the trailer stable, while your moving around inside, and don't want it bouncing on the springs, or doing a wheelie when you crawl into bed with the trailer disconnected from the tow vehicle.
In todays world, good high quality products get copied and imitations get widely sold. I have purchased, and used drop down stabilizers that vary in price from $18.00 to over $40.00 each. They look EXACTLY THE SAME, but they are vastly different in quality of construction, and materials. Since they are difficult to tell the quality products from the low price junk, I would never trust your life getting under a vehicle without actual jack stands.
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turbodaddy
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17' 1965 Fan "Sunseeker"
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Post by turbodaddy on Oct 24, 2014 3:17:54 GMT -8
Alright then, I'll take your advice! Most of the scissor type stabilizer / jacks are rated at 1 to 2 tons, so it seemed like it'd be OK since the trailer is about 2500#. The fact that I even asked the question shows that I had my doubts...thanks.
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Oct 24, 2014 8:33:55 GMT -8
The stabilizer jacks don't "have to collapse" to KILL YOU!
All that needs to happen is for the trailer to move just a little while your wigging the wheel out, and they will twist. They have very little strength from the side direction. That's why the jack stands are necessary.
My guess is the advertised weight ratings were based on the USA made original, NOT the offshore copies.
I'm a "big fan" of the drop down stabilizer's on the rear, just make sure you buy the expensive originals from Atwood (I think made them?).
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Post by Teachndad on Nov 1, 2014 20:44:37 GMT -8
Hi, Where under the frame do you place the jackstands? I assume you raise the trailer up so the wheels are off the ground. FYI, I do not have a tongue jack. it was frozen and I removed it to trailer Andy home. So, now, the tongue sits on a very LARGE wood block with a jack stand just behind it within 1/4" of the underside of the tongue. That jack stand is there as a back up. Both wheels are chalked front and rear. The driveway slopes only slightly downward. Using notched jackstands does not allow leveling the trailer because of the driveway slope. Any raising of the tongue has to be done with pieces of wood of various thicknesses as shims. I have 4 jack stands like these. Thanks Rod  |
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John Palmer
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Post by John Palmer on Nov 2, 2014 12:49:12 GMT -8
Rod, Sorry I do not understand your question.
If the ground/driveway is not 100% level (none are), you will need to shim the frame to the required height to make the trailer set level. I have some very old screw type trailer stands that work well for fine adjustments.
The reason it's important to have it level, is because as you remove the damaged skin/framing/and panels your taking away the structure integrity and the frame will sag. The steel frame without the body attached is very flexible. If you build the trailer walls back on the sagged frame, all of the window frames and door frames will not be square. It's much easier to square and level the frame, then everything is built at 90 degrees off the floor.
Also, Leveling Jacks, or (drop down) Stabilizers, are completely different than the automotive style Jack Stands you show in the photo. |
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Post by Teachndad on Nov 2, 2014 22:48:30 GMT -8
Hi John,
Yes, you are right, I wasn't very clear. My apologies.
I was under the impression that ya'all were using the car jackstands as I pictured. That's what got me all confused. Those can't be adjusted incrementally like a scissor jack. It sounds like everyone is using scissor jacks and calling them jack stands. That makes more sense now. Using scissor jacks would compensate for the slope of my driveway and make the trailer frame level.
Thanks for clarifying why the trailer needs to be level. I had read references to it, but not as clear as yours!
Where specifically do you place them underneath. I will guess, two under the tongue behind the jack, on under the frame to the front of the tire on both sides, and then two more on the rear corners? Are those guesses correct?
Thank you,
Rod
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John Palmer
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Post by John Palmer on Nov 3, 2014 10:09:50 GMT -8
Try four supports, one on each corner. I still leave the wheels on.
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Post by Teachndad on Nov 3, 2014 16:43:00 GMT -8
Try four supports, one on each corner. I still leave the wheels on. John, Thanks!
One final question. Are the wheels off the ground or still in contact with the ground?
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John Palmer
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Post by John Palmer on Nov 3, 2014 18:13:45 GMT -8
Still on the ground. So......counting the tongue jack, it's sitting on seven points.
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