Jacking Up Trailer with Harbor Freight Bandlands Off Road Jack - is it possible?

**trailrydr** · 03-01-2024, 05:33 AM

Originally Posted by huntindog

How exactly do you use the center shackle as a jacking point?
That is where the equalizer is. IOW, there is not a solid place to lift there.

Thats where I do it, under the equilizer which is BTW connected to the center suspension bracket attached to the frame.

**huntindog** · 03-01-2024, 05:54 AM

Originally Posted by trailrydr

Thats where I do it, under the equilizer which is BTW connected to the center suspension bracket attached to the frame.

I would never use that as a jacking point.
The equalizer can move while one is working on the trailer. It can be very dangerous.

**huntindog** · 03-01-2024, 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by Scott'n'Wendy

I'm not sure how you would use any floor jack and have room to pump the handle up and down. If you have the jack in the right position under the u-bolt plate, isn't the jack completely under the trailer compromising handle space?

You are correct. That is why the Discount tire guys always want to do it wrong. I bet this accounts for a lot of the bent axles we read about.
Some floor jacks (mine) have a two piece handle that can be taken apart by pushing a button...But even then it is hard to get it under the ubolt area. Much easier to use a bottle jack.

**trailrydr** · 03-01-2024, 06:08 AM

Originally Posted by huntindog

I would never use that as a jacking point.
The equalizer can move while one is working on the trailer. It can be very dangerous.

I guess we will have to agree to disagree

. It isnt going anywhere with the front jacks down or hooked to my truck with the other side tires blocked. I also use a 6" jack cradle puck in my floor jack to spread the weight - but even without it, it still wont go any where with how I do it.

**llr2800** · 03-01-2024, 07:06 AM

Since this seems to be more for maintenance you could use one of the air operated bottle jacks. Still need to get under to position it but then a very easy lift

**Hoopy Frood** · 03-01-2024, 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by llr2800

Since this seems to be more for maintenance you could use one of the air operated bottle jacks. Still need to get under to position it but then a very easy lift

Those air operated bottle jacks tend to be pretty tall. Make sure it will fit under the jacking point when the tire is flat. That is a poor time to find out it's too tall.

**huntindog** · 03-01-2024, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by trailrydr

I guess we will have to agree to disagree

. It isnt going anywhere with the front jacks down or hooked to my truck with the other side tires blocked. I also use a 6" jack cradle puck in my floor jack to spread the weight - but even without it, it still wont go any where with how I do it.

I spent many years as a Safety Coordinator for my former employer of 41 years. I was responsible for all things related to Safety. One of the things that was the hardest was trying to get a long term employee that was in the habit of doing something in an unsafe manner to change his/her ways. Just because they haven't been hurt doing it yet, does not mean they never will. Indeed , our statistics proved that the more it is done wrong successfully the more complacent they get, and eventually it bites them.

I would advise against the procedure you are doing. IMO it is sketchy at best.
Accidents can change lives. Yours and those around you. Don't be another statistic.

**Scott'n'Wendy** · 03-01-2024, 11:21 AM

I would be a bit leery of jacking it up on the equalizer. Maybe not so much if the front and rear jacks are down but I think I'd rather get down and place a bottle jack under the axle plate.

**trailrydr** · 03-01-2024, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by huntindog

I spent many years as a Safety Coordinator for my former employer of 41 years. I was responsible for all things related to Safety. One of the things that was the hardest was trying to get a long term employee that was in the habit of doing something in an unsafe manner to change his/her ways. Just because they haven't been hurt doing it yet, does not mean they never will. Indeed , our statistics proved that the more it is done wrong successfully the more complacent they get, and eventually it bites them.

I would advise against the procedure you are doing. IMO it is sketchy at best.
Accidents can change lives. Yours and those around you. Don't be another statistic.

If thats case, maybe no jacking should ever be done. Anytime a heavy vehicle is lifted off the ground its a safety hazard no matter who is doing it or how. No need to cover them all...but, lots failure points all around IMO.

Just doing anything on the side of a busy road ought to scare any safety inspector....

**Hoopy Frood** · 03-01-2024, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by trailrydr

Thats where I do it, under the equilizer which is BTW connected to the center suspension bracket attached to the frame.

I can't imagine jacking under one of the equalizers, but I have the EZ-Flex, and it would be pretty foolish to do so. Especially when there are much more suitable places to use.