RJ
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Post by RJ on Jan 14, 2015 13:38:07 GMT -8
If you have one of those ultra cool hydraulic car ramps that you use to work under your trailer, never mind If you don't, what do you use to create some work space/room under your trailers? I crawled around a bit under my Shasta but there's not much room, even for a broomstick like me. I'm thinking just a couple of car wheel ramps may be the ticket.. Pull the trailer up on them (or back the trailer on to them), jack stand the front/back for extra insurance/support, drop the tongue jack stand as far as it can go (probably need to place it on a block) and create some room.. Thoughts? Kind of curious if the ball will "pinch" as I create a pretty excessive angle between the tow vehicle and the trailer when moving the trailer onto the ramps..maybe not. As always, thanks for your insight VTT'ers.. RJ
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Post by bigbill on Jan 14, 2015 13:47:57 GMT -8
I use a jack and strong jack stands. I figure the life I save could be my own. I use a minimum of four stands rated at 6 ton that way they will stand up to any twisting motion such as caused by leaning a ladder against the trailer or pushing or pulling forces. I have no desire to be crushed.
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RJ
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Post by RJ on Jan 14, 2015 14:02:07 GMT -8
Crushed is no good. That would definitely ruin a day
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kirkadie
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Post by kirkadie on Jan 14, 2015 16:51:44 GMT -8
I got 4 hefty jack stands from HF. I lowered the tongue jack to it's lowest point, placed two stands under the rear main frame members, then raised the tongue jack up all the way and placed the other two under the A frame as close to the trailer as I could. I then crammed two tire blocks under each wheel. Still, as old as I am, with most of me under the trailer, I had trouble getting out until I heard Christine open a bottle of Guinness Stout and whistle. Never mind from me too.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jan 14, 2015 17:08:37 GMT -8
I got 4 hefty jack stands from HF. I lowered the tongue jack to it's lowest point, placed two stands under the rear main frame members, then raised the tongue jack up all the way and placed the other two under the A frame as close to the trailer as I could. I then crammed two tire blocks under each wheel. Still, as old as I am, with most of me under the trailer, I had trouble getting out until I heard Christine open a bottle of Guinness Stout and whistle. Never mind from me too. Kirkadie's way is the same as what I do. That get's it up pretty dang high and it's the easiest way. Trying to back your trailer over car ramps won't work very well. They will just slide and if you go to far and it drops off the other side you will damage the underside of the trailer. Besides you prolly can't get them under there anyhow.
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RJ
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Post by RJ on Jan 14, 2015 17:35:04 GMT -8
Good copy guys. Will head out in a bit and lower the the tongue jack, jack stand the rear frame corners, raise the front as high as needed, and jack stand the front corners. Makes sense. As always, thanks for your advice. Gotta get the underside spiffed up before I run the new tow wires. It's not too bad all things considered but will take a minute or two to work the surface rust off the metal frame/brake housings/etc. (electric drill stripper wheel, wire brush, perhaps emery cloth w/WD-40, dry, prep), spray frame with rust killer spray, paint, and also work the underside of the wood floor/frame so it's a bit more road worthy
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RJ
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Post by RJ on Jan 14, 2015 19:20:04 GMT -8
Worked fine guys. Ended up with a whopping 16 inches of clearance. On to the underside cleanup.
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kirkadie
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Post by kirkadie on Jan 15, 2015 13:59:21 GMT -8
RJ, a word of caution if I'm seeing the picture correctly. At least for all the frames I'm familiar with, it looks like the stands are under outriggers rather than the two parallel main frames. That can be dangerous as most outriggers are welded to the 2 mains, sometimes poorly welded, and will bend upward, causing floor distress. My suggestion would be to move those jacks to the 2 main frames in the back, and to the widest point of the 2 angled members that join the central hitch all the way forward. That's what I was told on the Scotty site, especially when raising the trailer to change a tire. If your trailer has a bumper put the stands under the frames the bumper is connected to. Anyone, feel to correct me...
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Ten
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Post by Ten on Jan 15, 2015 14:16:04 GMT -8
I'll second...good catch Kirkadie.
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RJ
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Post by RJ on Jan 15, 2015 14:18:57 GMT -8
RJ, a word of caution if I'm seeing the picture correctly. At least for all the frames I'm familiar with, it looks like the stands are under outriggers rather than the two parallel main frames. That can be dangerous as most outriggers are welded to the 2 mains, sometimes poorly welded, and will bend upward, causing floor distress. My suggestion would be to move those jacks to the 2 main frames in the back, and to the widest point of the 2 angled members that join the central hitch all the way forward. That's what I was told on the Scotty site, especially when raising the trailer to change a tire. If your trailer has a bumper put the stands under the frames the bumper is connected to. Anyone, feel to correct me... Yes, I placed them on the outriggers and gave the trailer the old "earthquake shake" test and it seemed very stable. Now, what you are saying makes pefect sense and I'll redo the jack stand locations tonight and move them under the actual main frame beams, fore and aft. Certainly don't want to cause any upward bending. Thanks for keeping me (and perhaps ultimately, my trailer) straight!
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Post by Teachndad on Jan 23, 2015 12:26:42 GMT -8
Hi,
As I understand it and correct me if I am wrong, but do we only jack up under the main frame when lifting the trailer high enough to work under it and when you level the trailer, you place the jack stands or leveling jacks under the ends of the outriggers/ four corners? Tires remain on the ground when leveling.
Thanks,
Rod
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jan 23, 2015 13:06:23 GMT -8
As far as I'm concerned I never use the out riggers for any type of jacking for any reason.
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kirkadie
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Post by kirkadie on Jan 24, 2015 14:55:33 GMT -8
I also always use the mains. Since the tires do stay on the ground there is usually no stability issue. If you have to park on a slanted campsite, you'll need to insure the trailer is level if you're running a refer, but after jacking it level, stuff levelers under the low side tire. I use stacked 2X6s nailed together, with the top 2X a few inches shorter than the next one down so the wheel rolls up easily and doesn't displace the 2Xs.
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Post by danrhodes on Feb 13, 2015 9:40:32 GMT -8
How would you folks support a trailer without a frame past the rear springs? Just jackstand directly to the plywood in the rear?
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elewayne
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Post by elewayne on Feb 13, 2015 13:13:48 GMT -8
I use jack stands. It's not a easy as one might think to back a trailer up those ramps with out scooting them. Wayne
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