How high a lift when jacking from the frame to remove a wheel?

[EncoreJoe]

Hello all.

I've got an Imagine 2150RB trailer. It has 2 - 3500# Dexter axles.

I just removed one wheel to check the wheel bearing grease condition.

The trailer is hitched to my truck without load distribution bars installed on the hitch.

I found when using a bottle jack on the frame point just outside the spring hanger near the wheel that after 10 inches of jack extension the wheel is still not lifted from from the ground! At that point the extension of the jack seems too high for my comfort.

I then released and removed the jack from the frame point and placed the jack cradle between the u-bolts under the end of the axle and within a couple of inches the wheel is off the ground.

I know they recommend using the frame but how high is too high?

What am I missing or doing wrong here? How do you all lift the wheel for changes and service?

Thanks.

Joe

 

[FT4NOW]

Lifting between the u-bolts is fine. They make bottle jack extensions (Safe Jacks is the company) that slip on the jack ram and will close the gap between frame and jack.

 

[EncoreJoe]

Lifting between the u-bolts is fine. They make bottle jack extensions (Safe Jacks is the company) that slip on the jack ram and will close the gap between frame and jack.

I do have the safe jack and was using a 7" platform under the jack. The jack was extended 10" from that and I didn't like the look of that.

I guess another option would be to lift the frame several inches and then use another jack under the axle to compress the springs and lift the wheel with less overall load on the axle.

Thanks!

 

[Hoopy Frood]

The manufacturers only say not to jack under the axle as a CYA. If they said it was okay, someone would put the jack under the axle toward the middle, bend the axle, and then blame the builder because they said it was okay to jack under the axle. I've done it quite a few times and never an issue, as long as you jack under the spring perches.

 

[Tom Traveler]

The manufacturers only say not to jack under the axle as a CYA. If they said it was okay, someone would put the jack under the axle toward the middle, bend the axle, and then blame the builder because they said it was okay to jack under the axle. I've done it quite a few times and never an issue, as long as you jack under the spring perches.

I always put the jack under the outermost u-bolt. I figure the U-bolt adequately spreads the force around the axle circumference. Any counter-point thoughts on this?

 

[Hoopy Frood]

^^^^^^^^^Not a one, that's how I do it.

 

[kb0zke]

In 2011 we owned a Heartland mpg travel trailer and were able to go to the national rally. Both Lippert and Dexter were there at a Q&A session. They were asked where to jack a trailer. The Lippert guy said to jack on the axle. The Dexter guy said to jack on the frame. Talk about a room full of unhappy campers...

 

[Riverbug]

I would guess if you surveyed 100 people that maintain their own wheel bearings, brakes, etc., 95 of them lift from the axle directly under the area of the u-bolts.

 

[alias100]

I have used a wheel ramp under one wheel to get the other off the ground. It does require that the tow vehicle be hooked up and there be space to pull forward/back a few feet.
This is the one that I have:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PXFGT31/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[marine6805]

I have used a wheel ramp under one wheel to get the other off the ground. It does require that the tow vehicle be hooked up and there be space to pull forward/back a few feet.
This is the one that I have:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PXFGT31/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That is similar to the one I use, but I also use 2X material for little more rise.
Works great.