jacking up a 1967 24' tradewind

[morgancl68]

I have recently become the new owner of this beast. I have actually lived with it for a few years, but was not the primary caretaker. We replaced the axles about 2 years ago, and I understand that it should not rest on them for the winter. It will be outside on a gravel drive with a custom cloth cover.

I have read the various discussions regarding this, but I would like to clarify some points as I have no interest in puncturing the belly pan or torqueing the frame. I have a bottle jack and 2 2-ton ratchet stands. I understand the accepted place to jack up the trailer is the axle mounting plate, and from the images shown it looks like most people are placing the bottle jack under the vertical portion of the plate - is that right? Also, should I be placing it in front of the front axle of behind the rear? I have seen some descriptions of "jack points" that are labeled and have a piece of metal where the jack should go, but there is nothing like this under my trailer. I have attached a picture of the plate - if it isn't immediately obvious it is rotated 90 degrees.

I presume my goal is to just get the weight off the axles, I don't need to have the wheels completely off the ground. Once the trailer is lifted, what is the best place to put the stands? I am planning on using a 2x6 between the stand and the belly, and it looks as though I can line it up along the c-frame just behind the rear axle. Is there a better place?

Thanks,

Claire

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by morgancl68

We replaced the axles about 2 years ago, and I understand that it should not rest on them for the winter.

Claire

I don't know this is true. I doubt taking the weight off the axles for a couple of months makes a difference, but it couldn't hurt. Long term storage may be a different story. I have seen Airstreams stored for years with no apparent ill affects. I am looking forward to hearing something from someone who knows what they are talking about on this subject

[dbj216]

This is an old thread but may be of future interest to others. Many of us have wondered about good jack load support areas under our fragile Airstreams.

I have always used the axle mounting plates as the jack point, and the jack stand support point. I always jack and support behind the rear axle. This way I get more tongue weight and a bit more stability when I'm standing in the rear of the trailer.

And I position some "safety supports" at the rear, in front of the front axle, and at the front just in case a jack stand breaks, or something unbalances the trailer while I'm under it. There is little or no load on the "safety" jack stands.

Taking the stationary load off the rubber rods in the axle and the tires is a good thing to do, but maybe not as high on the winterizing list. I've never done it and to no ill effects in my experiences. I think axle rubber rods get hard with age no matter the torque on them.

Trying to be helpful to others jacking up their vintage Trade Winds.

David