Saddle Size?

[fam5mel]

Looking for a saddle/ cradle to put on bottle jack that will go between axle suspension U bolts to raise wheel off the ground. I know there’s a lot of discussion about this versus jacking up the frame. What size saddle do I need? Suggestions where to order one. Manufactures list different sizes and ones I’ve emailed won’t tell me what size I need. What do you guys use? I have a Solitude 2930.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Looking for a saddle/ cradle to put on bottle jack that will go between axle suspension U bolts to raise wheel off the ground. I know there’s a lot of discussion about this versus jacking up the frame. What size saddle do I need? Suggestions where to order one. Manufactures list different sizes and ones I’ve emailed won’t tell me what size I need. What do you guys use? I have a Solitude 2930.

The size will depend on the axle/U-bolt diameter, and the diameter of your jack shaft.

 

[classicrockguy]

Looking for a saddle/ cradle to put on bottle jack that will go between axle suspension U bolts to raise wheel off the ground. I know there’s a lot of discussion about this versus jacking up the frame. What size saddle do I need? Suggestions where to order one. Manufactures list different sizes and ones I’ve emailed won’t tell me what size I need. What do you guys use? I have a Solitude 2930.

This is the one I have been using for a few years now. Make sure you get the right size for your particular axle.

https://www.amazon.com/Made-Bottle-Jack-BuddyTM-Saddle/dp/B0CKTXB6JP/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=160259778952&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LVepcZUMoOjA4zqTOJuFDGRT0akY1oj6v36zqZEbF_U38gRjDSovcshT-SnOAqRxgUs7wSNQwBr2cMLDWght0ahcSPkg0_tgAD-iNbdK1CpcZ6jZh3pUI0SzopaqF3hbGCQ1cRrmc78_RpMr1bt3mscqgynIuLbj6b_HbUSpo8auH-0sH5fQdeF1FiqfNcvqTG3cfOyTTFoieK1Rq9AJzQ.ZXeSzJ2HUr3FroX5MJRKjTonlhqn6f9DZwxZ1OTq3ck&dib_tag=se&hvadid=693046181506&hvdev=m&hvexpln=68&hvlocphy=9029954&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=14923413065448007475--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=14923413065448007475&hvtargid=kwd-1432119930620&hydadcr=1312_13554317&keywords=bottle+jack+buddy&mcid=307cd8e6c0fd3f60878d418efa21f21d&qid=1746709771&sr=8-3

 

[Tony_in_AZ]

Our Solitude has 3 inch axles. I bought 3 inch saddle. I used a tape measure on the axle first for the size

 

[classicrockguy]

Looking for a saddle/ cradle to put on bottle jack that will go between axle suspension U bolts to raise wheel off the ground. I know there’s a lot of discussion about this versus jacking up the frame. What size saddle do I need? Suggestions where to order one. Manufactures list different sizes and ones I’ve emailed won’t tell me what size I need. What do you guys use? I have a Solitude 2930.

This is the bottle jack I use with the Bottle Jack Buddy. It’s big and heavy and expensive. No comparison to the China made bottle jacks with the “same” 8-ton rating. It’s a beast and made in the USA!

8-Ton Standard Hydraulic Bottle Jack-D-51124

usjack-com.3dcartstores.com

 

[Hoopy Frood]

This is the bottle jack I use with the Bottle Jack Buddy. It’s big and heavy and expensive. No comparison to the China made bottle jacks with the “same” 8-ton rating. It’s a beast and made in the USA!

8-Ton Standard Hydraulic Bottle Jack-D-51124

usjack-com.3dcartstores.com

Just a FWIW, check the height of that jack to make sure it will fit under the axle/U-bolts when the tire is flat. Now add in the height of the saddle. Better to be sure it will fit rather than find out it's a no go when you need it beside the road. I bought a two-stage jack after I found out the hard way my standard jack wouldn't fit when the tire was flat.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Our Solitude has 3 inch axles. I bought 3 inch saddle. I used a tape measure on the axle first for the size

Make sure the saddle will fit around the U-bolts, you don't want to put it directly on the axle unless you absolutely have to.

 

[classicrockguy]

Make sure the saddle will fit around the U-bolts, you don't want to put it directly on the axle unless you absolutely have to.

This saddle is designed to fit directly around the axle. It distributes the load over a curved area much larger and much more evenly than the flat top of a bottle jack. On my rig, it fits with one side of the saddle on the outside of the u-bolt, and the other side on the inside of the other u-bolt. This means it is straddled and almost centered under the leaf spring pack … just off to one side about 1/2”.

If this damages the axle tube, then no way is that tube strong enough to handle the stresses from the tire/wheel bouncing down the highway. The centerline of the tire/wheel is cantilevered out at least 8” from the center of the spring pack, which creates a lot of dynamic bending stresses in that axle tube.

The main risk of jacking this way is crushing the thin walled axle tube with the small flat top of the bottle jack. This saddle eliminates that risk.

I jack this way all the time for maintenance (eg bearing inspection/repack) with zero issues. I also place a jack stand with its own curved “saddle” as close to the spring pack as possible for added safety. I don’t put any load on the jack stand.

 

[classicrockguy]

Just a FWIW, check the height of that jack to make sure it will fit under the axle/U-bolts when the tire is flat. Now add in the height of the saddle. Better to be sure it will fit rather than find out it's a no go when you need it beside the road. I bought a two-stage jack after I found out the hard way my standard jack wouldn't fit when the tire was flat.

On my rig it is very close. On flat pavement with a flat tire, it will fit. Off to the side or any with a soft or uneven surface, it might not.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

On my rig it is very close. On flat pavement with a flat tire, it will fit. Off to the side or any with a soft or uneven surface, it might not.

Check into the double piston jacks, then there won't be an issue. If there's a chance it won't fit in the worst case scenario, that is the one that will happen.

 

[classicrockguy]

Check into the double piston jacks, then there won't be an issue. If there's a chance it won't fit in the worst case scenario, that is the one that will happen.

So true. My backup is my F250 scissor jack. It collapses much shorter than the bottle jack. I have experimented with this, and am convinced I can use it in a situation where I can’t get the bottle jack in place.

 

[classicrockguy]

Check into the double piston jacks, then there won't be an issue. If there's a chance it won't fit in the worst case scenario, that is the one that will happen.

BTW. Are you the same guy who was participating in the “epic” thread on the F150 Ecoboost forum a few years ago? The “overheating while towing” thread.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

BTW. Are you the same guy who was participating in the “epic” thread on the F150 Ecoboost forum a few years ago? The “overheating while towing” thread.

I don't think so, I don't know anything about them. Not that it would stop me from posting a comment. But I certainly don't think so.

 

[classicrockguy]

Coincidence. Same “name”. I see now the connection to “HGTTG”. Great movie.

 

[James C]

I have a question. I haven't had any issues yet so I'd like to be prepared somewhat. With your bottle jack and saddle are you able to pick up both axels? Or do you need to do one at a time? On a different note,same subject, do you use jack stands to do your tire rotation and bearing inspection? Sorry the post got my gears grinding.

 

[classicrockguy]

I have a question. I haven't had any issues yet so I'd like to be prepared somewhat. With your bottle jack and saddle are you able to pick up both axels? Or do you need to do one at a time? On a different note,same subject, do you use jack stands to do your tire rotation and bearing inspection? Sorry the post got my gears grinding.

I do one wheel at a time. I do not support anything with a jack stand. It is simply an extra backup in case the jack fails. I have never rotated tires on a trailer, but if I did it would be more involved getting multiple wheels off the ground at the same time.

The challenge is you can only place the bottle jack and saddle OR a jack stand directly under the leaf spring area at a time, not both. Raising or supporting the axle at any other point further inboard would be risky IMHO.

I use my floor jack to simultaneously raise a second tire if that becomes necessary. I have a JEG’s aluminum 3-ton floor jack that works well as it can easily “cradle” both u-bolts from under the spring pack for a safe lift. I still place a jack stand slightly inboard just in case the floor jack fails.

I don’t know how to safely get a jack stand directly under the spring pack unless you somehow jack from the frame rail. This has its own challenges.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Coincidence. Same “name”. I see now the connection to “HGTTG”. Great movie.

I just noticed it says I'm a member since 2012, but I've only been on this forum for maybe three years.

 

[James C]

I do one wheel at a time. I do not support anything with a jack stand. It is simply an extra backup in case the jack fails. I have never rotated tires on a trailer, but if I did it would be more involved getting multiple wheels off the ground at the same time.

The challenge is you can only place the bottle jack and saddle OR a jack stand directly under the leaf spring area at a time, not both. Raising or supporting the axle at any other point further inboard would be risky IMHO.

I use my floor jack to simultaneously raise a second tire if that becomes necessary. I have a JEG’s aluminum 3-ton floor jack that works well as it can easily “cradle” both u-bolts from under the spring pack for a safe lift. I still place a jack stand slightly inboard just in case the floor jack fails.

I don’t know how to safely get a jack stand directly under the spring pack unless you somehow jack from the frame rail. This has its own challenges.

Thank you for responding. This is my 2nd year in a tt . I have a lot to learn about tt maintainance . It's a ton different than tent camping for 30 years.