Dummy me used the axle as a jack point. Should I worry.

[Newbie2018]

I just changed my 27fb International tires from 15 inch wheels to 16. I used a bottle jack with a nice cradle top and used the axle right behind the tire as a jack point for all four tires. It just looked like the best place but now I read that I could have damaged my axles. The jack top was shaped like a jack stand and there is no obvious external bends etc. to the axle.

Should I worry? I know better now but.........

[dbj216]

Hi from Colorado: Welcome to Air Forums. You may get several different answers to your question. Here is mine:

I don't believe you hurt your axles based on your description of where the jack was placed. Jacking on the swing arm where the spindle is welded is a stout piece of the axle. I think your bottle jack put the same load on the axle as if you were to pull one tire of the trailer onto a 4x4.

Where you don't want to jack up the trailer is on the axle "beam" between the frame rails. This section of axle has a "arc" to it and "bending" the arch is how the trailer wheels are aligned for tow in, caster and camber.

Some folks on dual axle trailers will pull one tire of the trailer onto a "ramp" high enough to suspend the other tire. Saves jacking up the trailer altogether.

David

[GMFL]

No worries. You are safe

[Isuzusweet]

+1, You're good to go; no worries.

Checking on Tube before doing anything for ho videos I find very helpfull at getting pointers and tips.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony

[Newbie2018]

Yep, I usually check here or youtube before hand. I was drawn to the axle mostly because of being afraid to use the "jack point" on the bottom.......that really looked sketchy........I'll use it next time......after seeing others post of using a block of wood to distribute the point of the jack.

[switz]

I lifted on the frame doubler between the wheels.

[azflycaster]

Between the tires on the axle mounting plate also.
Keep your eye on tire wear. If the alignment has been altered, that is how you will notice.

[NY24]

No, your rig is toast. You should ship it to me immediately for proper disposal....

[DBinSD]

You should be fine.

Open your windows and doors to check the frame was not twisted.

[Protagonist]

Placing the jack on the axle if you're unsure of the jacking points was actually a wise move. Missing the jacking points when trying to put the jack on the frame could mean a hole in the belly pan. As long as the load applied to the axle by the jack was where the suspension already applies a load and doesn't exceed the weight that would normally be held up by that axle on that side, you're unlikely to do much (if any) permanent damage.

A handy hint for the future, check the owner's manual and locate the correct jacking points. Then crawl underneath the trailer and apply DOT-rated reflective tape to the jacking points so that you can find them again anytime day or night in the event you need to jack the trailer again.

Marking the jacking points also helps when you replace tires, so that the service technician installing the new tires knows where to put the jacks— don't trust that THEY read the manual for your trailer! Saying, "Put the jacks on the reflective tape" can help you prevent problems when you're not the one doing the jacking.

[JCWDCW]

It is so much simpler to use a set of blocks to drive each wheel onto and lift each tire off the ground one at a time.
JCW

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by JCWDCW

It is so much simpler to use a set of blocks to drive each wheel onto and lift each tire off the ground one at a time.

Unless you have a flat on a parked trailer not connected to a tow vehicle (it DOES happen, and sometimes when the tow vehicle isn't even in the vicinity). Then jacking is easier and quicker than hitching up the tow vehicle to move the trailer onto blocks.

It's not wise to dismiss any method of tire changing out-of-hand unless it's inherently dangerous to life and limb. There may come a time when you need the method you dismissed. Keep your options open.

[AlinCal]

Originally Posted by JCWDCW

It is so much simpler to use a set of blocks to drive each wheel onto and lift each tire off the ground one at a time.
JCW

Not so much on a single axle trailer though.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by JCWDCW

It is so much simpler to use a set of blocks to drive each wheel onto and lift each tire off the ground one at a time.
JCW

It's also easier to overload a tire that way. The tires on an Airstream trailer are loaded pretty close to the maximum that the tire can carry when properly inflated. When you support the whole weight of one side of the trailer on one tire and no jack, the tire up on blocks is most definitely overloaded.

Using a jack ensures that the good tire isn't overloaded while the bad tire is being changed.

[featherbedder]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

It's also easier to overload a tire that way. The tires on an Airstream trailer are loaded pretty close to the maximum that the tire can carry when properly inflated. When you support the whole weight of one side of the trailer on one tire and no jack, the tire up on blocks is most definitely overloaded.

Using a jack ensures that the good tire isn't overloaded while the bad tire is being changed.

But manual for my AS says in case of flat okay to remove wheel drive slower speed until flat repaired. [this is not exact wording but still same meaning.]

[minddr]

Interesting point, I never thought of this.

[rmkrum]

The critical point is that you can do this, but MUST drive very slowly so as not to damage the remaining tire. Stress on a tire at high speed is much greater than at low speed. Heat buildup is the main killer of tires. Excess weight is a distant second, given a slow speed.

[guskmg]

If you need to change a wheel/tire on a triple-axle: use two wheel ramps spaced exactly the same distance apart as the axle spacing and drive up and over carefully. No need to use a jack.
guskmg