How Do I Jack Up A 2013 19' Bambi?

[sandhill3000]

RE :2013 19 foot single axle Bambi

I bought a set of Centramatic's wheel balancers thinking this will be an easy install. NOT!

I cannot figure out how to jack up the trailer to remove each wheel. I am reluctant to use the often criticized Airstream tiny metal plates on the outside of the frame that are marked "JACK" because if the jack slips (and it started to) it could go through the floor.

It has been recommended on the forum that the axle mounting plates should be used as jack points. The problem with that is that on my single axle Airstream it appears that the axle plate are behind the side of the wheel and I can't use a floor jack under them. On double axle unit I suppose the axle mounting plate would be between the two wheels on each side of trailer and easy to get to.

Now I'm also wondering what I would do if I had a flat tire on the road.

Anybody have any ideas?

[Al - K4GLU]

When all else fails try the owners manual.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, bottle jack, not floor jack, on axle plates.

[TBRich]

You can use a floor jack on the single axle mounting plate if you angle the jack in from in front of the tire/wheel on the streetside (to avoid the dump valves behind the wheel) and from either direction on the curb side.

[robert claus]

As TBRich said, you can angle a floor jack in and pick up at the axle plates. You just have to avoid the dump valves and the shock mounts. Going in from the front works best, streetside, as he said. I've done that a number of times. The real struggle is muscling the wheel and tire out of the wheel well - tight fit.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Just get the angle of the dangle right....as mentioned, going in from the front is always easier.

Bob

[switz]

I suggest carrying and using this model jack when dealing with tire issues. While it is a bottle jack, it also functions as a jack stand locking the support so it will not go down until raised slightly and the latch released. It also has a large flat plate to keep it from sinking into the ground. However, a piece of 2 x12 maybe 16" long helps in that regard as well.

http://www.toolsmithonline.com/produ...ack-Stand.html

I decided to have two so I can take some weight off the tires when storing the trailer.

The second unit was $34.99 with about $15 in freight.

[Markj55]

Hey guys, I recently took my rig to discount tire to have the wheels balanced and I noticed they were using 2 floor jacks on the axle. I assumed they knew what they were doing. But, is that how it should be done?
Just curious,
Mark

[Aage]

That is a big no-no. You may have allowed them to damage your axle.

IMHO you should get it looked at by an Airstream dealer before further use.

I have the Owner's Manual for a 1974 model, and it goes into great detail about this. What does your 2008 manual say..?

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by Markj55

Hey guys, I recently took my rig to discount tire to have the wheels balanced and I noticed they were using 2 floor jacks on the axle. I assumed they knew what they were doing. But, is that how it should be done?
Just curious,
Mark

I told them to look for the marks underneath. After the first one, we just used ramps - much better....you should get your axle checked. They apparently bend them a specific way at the factory - jacking the axle is not recommended. Sorry!

[Markj55]

Thanks for your response. I guess it was stupid to assume that people that do this for a living would know what they are doing. Of course I'm out of town now with my job and won't be home until the 16th. So I guess I'll have plenty to worry about in the mean time. My wife and I were going to take our first major trip to Yellowstone on the 22nd...............? Has anyone out there had a similar experience? This "is" troubling! I'm not sure if I should contact Discount Tire now or wait to have it checked out first?Thanks, Mark

[SteveSueMac]

I don't think it could hurt to call them and let them know what you've heard here (and presumably seen in your owners manual) and let them know you're concerned they may have inadvertently damaged the axle. Tell them your plan is to have it checked as soon as you're back in town and see if they'd be willing to go with you to hear directly. They may not do it, they may offer to chip in on any repairs that might be required - either way, calling them can't hurt...

There may not even be any damage but you should have it checked just in case.

[Aage]

Suggest before you call, you have a good look in your Owner's manual.

You really want to know where you stand, don't you? After all, I could be wrong.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by SteveSueMac

I told them to look for the marks underneath. After the first one, we just used ramps - much better....you should get your axle checked. They apparently bend them a specific way at the factory - jacking the axle is not recommended. Sorry!

I've recommended this a time or two already on other threads, and it seems applicable here, too.

Locate the correct jacking points, and then put some reflective tape on each one. Then you can tell whoever to just put the jacks on the tape. Using reflective tape also makes it easier to find the jacking points in poor light if you have to do a roadside repair.

[sandhill3000]

Thanks to everybody for your input! I really appreciate it. One more question - is it better to leave the Airstream hitched to the tow vehicle or not when I jack it up?

We are leaving today on a 4 day trip to Ft. Desoto Park and when we return I'll get started on this little project.

Again - THANKS!

[LFC]

If you are on level ground with the other wheel chocked it really doesn't make a difference.

[sandhill3000]

What I finally used was the bottle jack that came with my Toyota Tundra truck.

Because I have a single axle trailer the use of of a floor jack or a regular bottle jack required a very sharp placement angle to lift at the axle mounting plate where it is bolted to the frame and is actually behind the tire.

The Tundra bottle jack handle cranks in a circle rather than being pumped up and down under the belly of the trailer. The Tundra jack handle will swivel at an angle and come out from under the trailer. The handle is very long too.

I used this on a concrete driveway that was level and for safety I used a 3 ton jack stand that I placed under the axle plate as I lifted the trailer.

It worked great and the installation of the Centramatic wheel balancers was easy.

Thanks for all your help!