Jacking up a Cruiser

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   Three questions: 

(1)What size jack do you carry for your cruiser?

(2)I think they recommend jacking by the frame. What do you do?

(3)Since the Cruiser sets off the ground so high; if you jack by the frame, how do you get enough height to raise it off the ground?

I carriy a 2 1/2 ton small floor jack. Wondering now if it's enough?

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Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Jacking up a Cruiser Posted: 05 Apr 2012 at 1:28pm
	Three questions: (1)What size jack do you carry for your cruiser? (2)I think they recommend jacking by the frame. What do you do? (3)Since the Cruiser sets off the ground so high; if you jack by the frame, how do you get enough height to raise it off the ground? I carriy a 2 1/2 ton small floor jack. Wondering now if it's enough?

Old Farmer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Full Time Camper Joined: 26 Dec 2007 Location: WI. Status: Offline Points: 2298	Post Options Post Reply Quote Old Farmer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Apr 2012 at 1:48pm
	I carry one of these trailer aids. http://www.adventurerv.net/camco-trailer-aid-black-p-14265.html I also have a 20 ton bottle jack. You usually have blocking along (anyways I do) to place under the bottle jack to reach the frame, but you shouldn't need the jack on the road for changing a flat if you have the trailer aid.
	08 CF26RK 2013 Ford f150 Eco Boost Reese Select 16K

danskool Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Seasonal Camper Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Location: Buffalo NY Status: Offline Points: 328	Post Options Post Reply Quote danskool Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Apr 2012 at 9:18pm
	I have http://www.walmart.com/ip/Torin-Jacks-2-Ton-Bottle-Jack/14560038 I even keep it in the box it came in.. I use it every year or two for checking bearings and brakes. I even replace all 4 tires last summer with it. I just lift the axle between the ubolts on the axle. Few pumps and it is up. I have never lifted by the frame, Way to high and have to lift the, Way to high to get the tire off the ground. If i was you. Practice once and see what works for you hooked up to the tow vehicle or not hooked up.. The bottle jack or make a ramp similar to Farmer's. Or buy one, Cheap enough either way. The practice will pay off the first time you have a flat if you know what you are doing. I would bet, I could change my tire in about 12 minutes and be on my way. Especially with the 18volt impact from harbor freight. The scary part is having a flat on the thru-way and the flat being on the driverside.. EEEKK.. That is the night mare side.. You want to either make quick work of it, Flares, Make it to a u'turn Or play it safe and wait for road side. You have flares and such?
	Dan 2005 Cruiser 2001 F250 7.3

Captain Mike Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Family Vacation Camper Joined: 07 May 2010 Location: Tennessee Status: Offline Points: 136	Post Options Post Reply Quote Captain Mike Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Apr 2012 at 10:12pm
	I thought the axles will crush when lifted by a jack?
	-Michael-

Pull Dog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Family Vacation Camper Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Location: Huntington, WV Status: Offline Points: 102	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pull Dog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Apr 2012 at 10:29pm
	I can see nothing wrong in lifting the trailer with a jack under the axle if it is placed directly under or very close to the spring u-bolts. Actually lifting the trailer with the jack under the frame would require you to really lift it very high to overcome the verticle sag of the springs. I'm not sure frames could take the stress. Keep in mind you can read lots of posts on frame issues with today's 5th wheels and travel trailers. I have always lifted any trailer I've owned with the jack placed directly under the springs and never had one issue. Now obviously you could not place the jack several inches from the spring and not expect the axle not to bend. Edited by Pull Dog - 05 Apr 2012 at 10:31pm

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Apr 2012 at 10:42pm
	Well that was what I had heard also. But I can agree not to place directly under the axle. Maybe lifting under the U-bolts is safe. This is the 2 1/2 Ton jack I keep in the Cruiser. I haven't tried lifting under the U-bolts. After 20 years of owning Campers from Popups to Class C's to Fifth Wheels I've never had a flat yet. I hope I didn't just Jinx myself. So, I guess my 2 1/2 Ton is big enough? Edited by Deputydog - 05 Apr 2012 at 10:49pm

Sirsea Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Seasonal Camper Joined: 10 Feb 2011 Location: League City, TX Status: Offline Points: 266	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sirsea Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Apr 2012 at 11:45pm
	Floor jacks seem to work OK on concrete, but not so well on asphalt or gravel and you probably will have to put it under the axle u-bolts to get enough lift. In addition, I don't like crawling part way under the trailer while operating the jack. I use a 12 ton bottle jack and enough blocking (4x4x12", etc) to raise the jack to the frame. Also use a 3x3x1-1/2" piece of oak between the top of the jack and the frame to eliminate metal to metal slipping. Only used it once so far, but it works great and doesn't take up much room in the truck.
	M & M League City, TX 2011 Cruiser CF335SS Patriot 2008 Dodge Ram 2500HD 6.7 Cummins Turbo Diesel

Kamper Dave Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Family Vacation Camper Joined: 05 Apr 2009 Location: WI Status: Offline Points: 225	Post Options Post Reply Quote Kamper Dave Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Apr 2012 at 11:54pm
	You are supposed to jack up the RV by the frame while hitched to your tow vehicle and stabilizers raised. When traveling we drive up on blocks to float the other tire. Lippert Components, Inc. Informational Publication LIP Sheet - 0134 revB RECOMMENDATIONS FOR JACKING THE FRAME TO CHANGE A TIRE 1. Carrying a jack rated for the weight of the coach is essential. The jack must be rated between 8 and 12 tons. 2. To prevent damage to the coach, carry wood blocks to place between the jack and the main rail (I-beam) of the coach and to go under the jack. 3. DO NOT jack the coach on the axle tube or black pipe gas lines that can sometimes be mounted to the bottom of the I-beam. 4. Chock the wheels, both front and rear, on the opposite side of the coach. 5. If hitched to tow vehicle, stay hitched and set the parking brake. 6. DO NOT use the front landing gear or rear stabilizer jacks to pick the coach up to change a tire. This is dangerous and may result in serious bodily injury or death. The frame is about 24" off of the ground. The RV dry wgt is about 8,000 lbs. You may need a larger jack. I did manage to jack up our old RV under the u-bolts with a 2.5 ton floor jack but it would slowly descend. KD Edited by Kamper Dave - 06 Apr 2012 at 6:23pm
	Crossroads Cruiser CF31RE 2010 2004 Dodge RAM 2500 Diesel w/ Bully Dog & Pac Brake.

rcflyer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Seasonal Camper Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Location: Idaho Status: Offline Points: 273	Post Options Post Reply Quote rcflyer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 2012 at 2:08am
	Lippert tells you not to lift the trailer by the axle or any of the suspension. It is in your owners manual and if you damage the axle it will not be covered by the warranty. Axles are not very expensive but may take a couple weeks to get a replacement.

happycampers Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Seasonal Camper Joined: 17 Oct 2010 Location: Toronto,Ontario Status: Offline Points: 382	Post Options Post Reply Quote happycampers Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 2012 at 10:36am
	I also carry a 20ton bottle jack. I have lots of wood blocks on board as well. Knock on wood, I haven't needed to jack up my cruiser yet. But I do plan on regreasing my bearings before our first trip this year. The bottle jack was the first thing I put in the truck... after taking out the stupid scissor jack.
	Matt & Kathy Chance (Yellow lab) '10 Dodge Ram 3500 CC/LB '11 Crossroads Cruiser CF325CK 54 Nights camped in 2012.