How to jack up a dual axle trailer, with no jack.

sceep · 08-10-2007, 08:48 AM

This past weekend, one of our local club members was knocked the F out by a highlift while trying to jack up his trailer to change a tire. This made me realize that not everyone knows that they don't need a jack to change a tire on a dual axle trailer.

I’m sure all of you who have spent any time with a trailer behind you have noticed now and then when pulling out of driveways, or going over ditches, that its very easy to lift one wheel off the ground. This happens because the teeter-totter/shackle in-between the two axles just doesn’t have enough travel.

In order to change a tire with no jack, you need to get the flat tire in the air. This is easy to do with no jack.

What you need:
4-6 2x4’s 10-15” in length.

Or:
A curb
A rock
A ditch
Etc.

Alternately, there are many gadgets on the market which make this a breeze, such as this slick little deal from Cabelas. For $70 you really cant go wrong. http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0001945013566a.shtml

How (2x4 version):

Stack 2x’s into a ramp like shape, so you can pull the tire that is still inflated up onto it. (usually only need 5-8” tall)
If you are having a hard time getting a stack stable or tall enough to lift the flat tire off the ground, shove something in the teeter totter to limit its travel. (a block of wood, rock, socket, etc.) You want to place the limiting device between the top of the teeter totter, and the bottom of the trailer frame.
SAFETY NOTE: rocks should only be used in an emergency situation. I'm 90% sure you can find something more adequate to shove in there. Rocks crack and crumble and are NOT the best thing to be using. if at all possible, find something else!!

Break your lug nuts free, then just simply pull your trailer forward or backward onto the 2x4 ramp. this will in turn, lift the flat tire off the ground enough to change it out.

Its that easy.

I suggest you try this out 1-2 times in your driveway just so you know What you are doing before you have to do it with 80k# semi's blasting past you at 90mph on the side of the road.

NOONE with a dual axle trailer should ever need a jack to change a tire.

Hopefully this’ll help someone, or at least save some teeth.

thump93yj · 08-10-2007, 09:17 AM

good advice sceep...

what about trip axle setups... I've never tried it with mine... I have a short fat bottle jack that does the trick. But, ramping it would be so much quicker.

sceep · 08-10-2007, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thump93yj

what about trip axle setups...

no clue man.. never owned a tri-axle.

MattS · 08-10-2007, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thump93yj

good advice sceep...

what about trip axle setups... I've never tried it with mine... I have a short fat bottle jack that does the trick. But, ramping it would be so much quicker.

My brother has one of these in his trailer:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TRAIL...QQcmdZViewItem

You might be able to get the first 2 tires on and change one on the end. But if the flat one is in the middle I got nothing.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TRITO...QQcmdZViewItem

traxman25 · 08-10-2007, 11:31 AM

This is one reason why I LOVE having a jack stand on each side of the rear of the trailer. Flip it down, crank it up and pick up the side, or do both and pick up the whole trailer. I have them to make loading and unloading easier, but they work great for picking up the trailer too...

Good advice Sceep, thanks!

Travis Waldher · 08-10-2007, 11:37 AM

I find using illegal mexican labor from the home depot parking lot to be easier than the 2x4 method.

Of course, this means you need to have the flat near a HD.

thump93yj · 08-10-2007, 12:34 PM

hmmm... now that I think about it... probably just need 2 of said ramps to accomplish this goal on a tripple... and know the distance center to center of your axles to lay them out right prior to driving up on 'em.

speedo · 08-10-2007, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Travis Waldher

I find using illegal mexican labor from the home depot parking lot to be easier than the 2x4 method.

Of course, this means you need to have the flat near a HD.

How much do you have to pay them to lay on the ground while you pull the trailer up on them?

Gus

Travis Waldher · 08-10-2007, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedo

How much do you have to pay them to lay on the ground while you pull the trailer up on them?

Gus

Nothing. I offer than $20 after the job is done.

dvsjeep · 08-10-2007, 01:20 PM

I have one of those removeable tongue jacks that attach with the 2" round pipe with the 4 holes in it with a pin. I just made up 2 more of these that I welded to the frame rail sides of the trailer just behind each fender. You can use your tongue jack to lift either side of your trailer safely, its great for general maintance to.

I can have either side of my trailer in the air in less than a minute. And you do not need to carry anything special.

wanabecruisen · 08-10-2007, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvsjeep

I have one of those removeable tongue jacks that attach with the 2" round pipe with the 4 holes in it with a pin. I just made up 2 more of these that I welded to the frame rail sides of the trailer just behind each fender. You can use your tongue jack to lift either side of your trailer safely, its great for general maintance to.

I can have either side of my trailer in the air in less than a minute. And you do not need to carry anything special.

Now that's the best idea I've heard all day - cheap, easy and effective - like my last girlfriend

DRM · 08-10-2007, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvsjeep

I have one of those removeable tongue jacks that attach with the 2" round pipe with the 4 holes in it with a pin. I just made up 2 more of these that I welded to the frame rail sides of the trailer just behind each fender. You can use your tongue jack to lift either side of your trailer safely, its great for general maintance to.

I can have either side of my trailer in the air in less than a minute. And you do not need to carry anything special.

I really like that idea! Did you think of it yourself, or see it somewhere else?

sceep · 08-10-2007, 02:09 PM

is a tongue jack rated for that much weight?

dvsjeep · 08-10-2007, 02:17 PM

My jack is rated for 4000 lbs, so lifting the side of a 1800 lbs trailer with a 4500 lbs truck on it, should be under the 4000 lbs, thinking leverage and all. Ya, I got tired of keeping my bottle jack in the trailer box, it was always falling over and leaking all over shit, so I thought about it, came up with this. I use it check the tires and wheel bearings before trips and have had to change one tire with it. Nice thing is the jack is attached to the trailer so there is no chance of anything slipping.

Honkylips · 08-10-2007, 03:31 PM

I too welded some trailer jacks to each rear corner. I use them when loading/unloading to keep the truck from getting jerked around, but it also works great for maintenance/tire changes on the trailer.

COXIE · 08-11-2007, 08:22 PM

I expected a famous seep drawing on this one...kind of a let down...

andyr354 · 08-13-2007, 04:03 PM

This has been common practice on our farm for years.

Most stock trailers have the tortional axles now instead of springs, makes it even easier to pick a tire up with a block.

Andy

08-10-2007, 09:17 AM	#2
thump93yj Rock God Join Date: Nov 2002 Member # 14874 Location: FW/d Texas Posts: 1,023	good advice sceep... what about trip axle setups... I've never tried it with mine... I have a short fat bottle jack that does the trick. But, ramping it would be so much quicker. __________________ -clint Secret black text says... Buy my Stuff! For Sale: Wheels (beadlocks) Tires Gears Yokes Driveshafts

08-10-2007, 11:31 AM	#5
traxman25 4xInnovations.com Join Date: Sep 2004 Member # 35227 Location: Platteville, WI Posts: 1,771	This is one reason why I LOVE having a jack stand on each side of the rear of the trailer. Flip it down, crank it up and pick up the side, or do both and pick up the whole trailer. I have them to make loading and unloading easier, but they work great for picking up the trailer too... Good advice Sceep, thanks! __________________ 4x Innovations - Quality Custom Toyota based tube products at a fair price Check out the 87 Runner trail rig. -Adam- 1-608-348-4880

08-10-2007, 12:34 PM	#7
thump93yj Rock God Join Date: Nov 2002 Member # 14874 Location: FW/d Texas Posts: 1,023	hmmm... now that I think about it... probably just need 2 of said ramps to accomplish this goal on a tripple... and know the distance center to center of your axles to lay them out right prior to driving up on 'em. Attached Images __________________ -clint Secret black text says... Buy my Stuff! For Sale: Wheels (beadlocks) Tires Gears Yokes Driveshafts

08-10-2007, 01:20 PM	#10
dvsjeep Wheeler Join Date: Nov 2005 Member # 56725 Location: Burlington, ON Canada Posts: 123	I have one of those removeable tongue jacks that attach with the 2" round pipe with the 4 holes in it with a pin. I just made up 2 more of these that I welded to the frame rail sides of the trailer just behind each fender. You can use your tongue jack to lift either side of your trailer safely, its great for general maintance to. I can have either side of my trailer in the air in less than a minute. And you do not need to carry anything special. __________________ 88 Jeep YJ, 5.7 Vortec, TH350, Air-shift 4:1 Dana 300, Dana 60, 5:38, ARB, 35 Spline Mosers, Full Hydraulic Reverse High Arm Steering, HP Dana 60, 5:38, Detroit, 42" Iroks c/w Staun Beadlock bags, Full Cage, Corbeau's, 5 Points, On-Board Air, Blender

08-10-2007, 02:17 PM	#14
dvsjeep Wheeler Join Date: Nov 2005 Member # 56725 Location: Burlington, ON Canada Posts: 123	My jack is rated for 4000 lbs, so lifting the side of a 1800 lbs trailer with a 4500 lbs truck on it, should be under the 4000 lbs, thinking leverage and all. Ya, I got tired of keeping my bottle jack in the trailer box, it was always falling over and leaking all over shit, so I thought about it, came up with this. I use it check the tires and wheel bearings before trips and have had to change one tire with it. Nice thing is the jack is attached to the trailer so there is no chance of anything slipping. __________________ 88 Jeep YJ, 5.7 Vortec, TH350, Air-shift 4:1 Dana 300, Dana 60, 5:38, ARB, 35 Spline Mosers, Full Hydraulic Reverse High Arm Steering, HP Dana 60, 5:38, Detroit, 42" Iroks c/w Staun Beadlock bags, Full Cage, Corbeau's, 5 Points, On-Board Air, Blender Last edited by dvsjeep; 08-10-2007 at 02:19 PM.

08-10-2007, 11:37 AM	#6
Travis Waldher Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4878 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 6,358	I find using illegal mexican labor from the home depot parking lot to be easier than the 2x4 method. Of course, this means you need to have the flat near a HD.

08-10-2007, 03:31 PM	#15
Honkylips Granite Guru Join Date: Jul 2001 Member # 6136 Location: Yo' mama's house Posts: 998	I too welded some trailer jacks to each rear corner. I use them when loading/unloading to keep the truck from getting jerked around, but it also works great for maintenance/tire changes on the trailer. __________________ I like potatos

08-11-2007, 08:22 PM	#16
COXIE Wheeler Join Date: Aug 2004 Member # 34774 Location: Clinton IN Posts: 422	I expected a famous seep drawing on this one...kind of a let down... __________________ Trail Rig YJ Wrangler, 350 Chev on 'pane, SM465, twin stick 205, welded 60 front hung on Waggys, welded 14-bolt rear linked and coilovers, 38" beadlocked TSL's Tow Rig 1999 Dodge 1500 4x4

08-13-2007, 04:03 PM	#17
andyr354 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Member # 28130 Location: KS Posts: 1,168	This has been common practice on our farm for years. Most stock trailers have the tortional axles now instead of springs, makes it even easier to pick a tire up with a block. Andy __________________ 89XJ, 4.0L, AW4, D30, D44, 33s, homefab dakota and RE lift. 93 Dodge W250 Clubcab LE, Cummins, getrag 5spd, 3.54s, straightpipe. [URL="http://trailkrawlers4x4.org/"]Trailkrawlers 4x4[/URL]

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