jacking up '72 Overlander

[TimM]

Hi all, i need to peel back the belly skin to have a look. On a 72 Overlander, where is the best place to put jacks ro raise the trailer? Then should I let wieght down on the axles or block up under the tires? Thanks Tim

[tphan]

hi tim- I just used the tongue jack to tilt my coach one way or the other, to allow for a little easier crawling around under it. I think it would also be simple to hook up to your tow vehicle (I don't have one) and drive the coach up onto some planks, to gain some height. Be sure to block the tires securely. As far as the more involved jacking up goes, I did this to drop my axles and paint the frame in that area, and I put the jack under the big frame member right by the axle, then also adding more props after it was high enough. There are other threads on this subject, I am not an authority on it but it worked for me. I would suggest simplest, and safest, over all other ways. Good luck- tim

[Darol Ingalls]

Tim, There are jacking points located just behind the wheels in line with the frame. They were marked at the factory with aluminum squares about 4" square and sometimes were stenciled "Jack Here". They look like patches with a rivit in each corner. To lift the front, use the hitch jack with blocking under it to gain heighth. However, I prefer to back the trailer up ramps made of 4 X 10 or 4 X 12 timbers tapered on the front edges. In either case, set the trailer on the wheels. Not a good idea to support all the weight on the axels. Don't raise it too high unless you're confident in your support mechanism. Provide just enough room to work comfortably on a creeper and be able to operate you drill. Wear goggles and/or face mask. You'll be amazed at how much dirt and junk has collected on the belly pan! Darol

[87MH]

Originally Posted by TimM

Hi all, i need to peel back the belly skin to have a look. ....

As posted before - be prepared for all manner of unmentionable nastyness.

[atvmcg]

I just did mine. From what I could research prior to starting it seems the worst place to jack it up is on the areas marked for jacking...seems like those marks are for stabilizer jacks..NOT hydraulic lifting jacks.
I used a 4 ton floor jack on the rear of main frame to lift..then slide in 4 ton jack stands set at 15" right under the axel-plate mountings. (see photos on my photos) it gave a good solid lift and hold... those marked jack plate areas looked really scary to me...I had awful visions of the jack punching through the floor. My advice is to stay on the frame when lifting and on the axel-plate mountings for support.