Jacking up 5th wheel

timelinex

Advanced Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2022
Messages
93
I've got a 381m that I'm replacing all the tires on. I'm taking them off and bring the tires to my shop (easier than driving it there and fitting).

I'm comfortable using the jack to put up one side on the side of the road (I know it's not recommended), but doing both sides and leaving it for a day....not so much.

I have a 12ton bottle jack and two 6 ton triangle stands. I've read that when taking both sides off there may be more things to consider than just jacking up by the frame (reversals of something?)

Where should I jack things up and where do I need to put the stands?
 
JMO, but if you have the hydraulic leveling legs, 6 of them, then why not use them instead of the bottle jack? That's what I did, like you I did one side at a time. I would put the jacks as close to the spring hangers, front and rear, as I could get them. The nice thing about using the hydraulic legs, you only need the jacks for a just-in-case. You wouldn't need them to actually support anything, unless something untoward happens.

The main thing to watch for if you lift with the legs is the chance that the spring hangers may reverse themselves. Didn't happen to me, but I have read of it happening, nothing first hand.
 
JMO, but if you have the hydraulic leveling legs, 6 of them, then why not use them instead of the bottle jack? That's what I did, like you I did one side at a time. I would put the jacks as close to the spring hangers, front and rear, as I could get them. The nice thing about using the hydraulic legs, you only need the jacks for a just-in-case. You wouldn't need them to actually support anything, unless something untoward happens.

The main thing to watch for if you lift with the legs is the chance that the spring hangers may reverse themselves. Didn't happen to me, but I have read of it happening, nothing first hand.

Should I leave it resting on the jacks for a few hours or lower it back onto the jack stands?

When you say put the jack stand close to the spring hander, are you saying on the frame itself?

Lastly, any more info on what to watch for the spring handers reversing, and how to get them back if they do.

I am mechanically inclined and have worked on a lot of cars...but not really familiar with RV/trailer workings. At 17,000 pounds, I don't want to make an expensive mistake!
 
JMO, but if you have the hydraulic leveling legs, 6 of them, then why not use them instead of the bottle jack? That's what I did, like you I did one side at a time. I would put the jacks as close to the spring hangers, front and rear, as I could get them. The nice thing about using the hydraulic legs, you only need the jacks for a just-in-case. You wouldn't need them to actually support anything, unless something untoward happens.

The main thing to watch for if you lift with the legs is the chance that the spring hangers may reverse themselves. Didn't happen to me, but I have read of it happening, nothing first hand.

It's not a big deal if they reverse. It's happened to me a number of times over 30+ years. It makes some noise, but doesn't hurt anything when they correct themselves.
 
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Personally I would leave it on the leveling legs until I was done. The jack stand should be in place under the frame near the spring hangers, just in case. Unlikely they'll be needed but ya never know.

This, of course, is posited on the fact you have 6 hydraulic leveling legs.
 
JMO, but if you have the hydraulic leveling legs, 6 of them, then why not use them instead of the bottle jack? That's what I did, like you I did one side at a time. I would put the jacks as close to the spring hangers, front and rear, as I could get them. The nice thing about using the hydraulic legs, you only need the jacks for a just-in-case. You wouldn't need them to actually support anything, unless something untoward happens.

The main thing to watch for if you lift with the legs is the chance that the spring hangers may reverse themselves. Didn't happen to me, but I have read of it happening, nothing first hand.

I changed my tires using the levelers (electric) one side at a time. The hangers did flip, but it's a simple process to flip them back if they don't correct themselves. And it is loud but does not hurt anything as [MENTION=12888]huntindog[/MENTION] said.
 
Like Hoopy Frood said, if you have the 6 hydraulic legs, then use them to lift the rig and use the jack stands for just-in-case. Each leg can handle 6,000 lbs. I've lifted my Solitude this way several times with all four tires off. I auto level, then toggle back and forth from side to side to lift the wheels off the ground. I keep the rig close to level all the way. I reverse the process on the way down.
 
Like Hoopy Frood said, if you have the 6 hydraulic legs, then use them to lift the rig and use the jack stands for just-in-case. Each leg can handle 6,000 lbs. I've lifted my Solitude this way several times with all four tires off. I auto level, then toggle back and forth from side to side to lift the wheels off the ground. I keep the rig close to level all the way. I reverse the process on the way down.
That's the way I do it too.
 
Thanks for the advice guys. I used the jacks and it all went perfect. I see the middle tires shackle may have reversed on both side. But I believe it will fix itself when I start driving, right? I kind of remember that happening before.
 
Frt LG are rated at 14K lbs each
Mid/Rear levelers rated at 8K each

the capacity is 3 times what your RV weighs... I have used my six point level up many times over the last 10 years to remove all four tires.

I a center link set of link bars swings downward when you install the tires and lower tires back to the ground they will usually flip back up to form the "W" shape... If one doesnt then when the RV is pulled forward a few feet it WILL flip
 
On the spring hangers flipping I have found that if I put about 3" of lumber under say the rear tires as they come down it seems to keep them from flipping. Also, if you drive to a speed bump somewhere it should correct itself just be careful of clearances because you may be a few inches higher than normal. Ditto on what has been said I use the levelers to lift and the jack stands under the frame as a safeguard.
 

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