Jack Stands

[majorairhead]

I've seen reference over the years regarding the use of jack stands for various purposes. I've looked around the site for specifics on type/size etc. but haven't found anything specific.

What weight rating would you recommend for a 30 foot Airstream?

Links to your favorite style, size, weight rating jack stand greatly appreciated

[richard5933]

I've had great success with a pair of these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Great thing about these is that they combine the jack and the jack stand, meaning that you can use them in the lift point behind the rear axle and not have to find another place to put the jack stands.

Since the tops of these are not flat, I use a small block of hardwood between the top and the jack point to protect the trailer.

[Hermes]

Originally Posted by majorairhead

I've seen reference over the years regarding the use of jack stands for various purposes. I've looked around the site for specifics on type/size etc. but haven't found anything specific.

What weight rating would you recommend for a 30 foot Airstream?

Links to your favorite style, size, weight rating jack stand greatly appreciated

I use 2 ton stands. If you were to support the trailer with 4 of them (wheels off the ground) that would give you 8 tons of capacity, which is way above the trailer's weight. Anything bigger will be heavier. You can find them on Amazon. But you have to be careful where you place them, same caution as for jacking the trailer.

[majorairhead]

Say a guy wanted to lift the rear axles and remove all 4 wheels, putting the entire airstream weight on two jack stands. Will two 2 ton stands suffice?

I've seen pictures on this site of this being done, but no reference to the size/weight rating of the stands.

Thanks for your replies thus far, I appreciate it.

[wimpy]

Originally Posted by majorairhead

Say a guy wanted to lift the rear axles and remove all 4 wheels, putting the entire airstream weight on two jack stands. Will two 2 ton stands suffice?

8K pounds should take care of any Airstream, including the motorhomes as maximum Workhouse RV chassis was 16.5K 3#s.

I would have a 3/4" piece of plywood or a 2x10 (assuming it covered the jack footprint) cut for each jack to ensure the jack doesn't sink into the surface.

[Action]

Some points on heavier metal areas (not marked for support) of the trailer will not handle high loads. This is because the trailer design is NOT a body on frame design. It is a monocoque ior semi-monocoque design. The exterior sheet aluminum takes some of the load of the trailer.

Place a jack stand in an area not marked for lifting or support and the "frame" can bend. Non-marked areas are not designed to take loads like a full framed automotive vehicle.

Action

[John Ware]

Originally Posted by majorairhead

Say a guy wanted to lift the rear axles and remove all 4 wheels, putting the entire airstream weight on two jack stands. Will two 2 ton stands suffice?

I've seen pictures on this site of this being done, but no reference to the size/weight rating of the stands.

Thanks for your replies thus far, I appreciate it.

How much does your trailer weigh? Subtract your tongue weight from that and divide by two and that would be the weight that each jack stand would be supporting at the axle support which is where I put my jack stands.

[Action]

Originally Posted by John Ware

How much does your trailer weigh? Subtract your tongue weight from that and divide by two and that would be the weight that each jack stand would be supporting at the axle support which is where I put my jack stands.

Why would you subtract tongue weight on a static trailer?
Would the tongue still be attached to the TV?

Plus I would want static support to be far in excess of actual load.
At least 150% of actual or max load.

Action

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by Action

Why would you subtract tongue weight on a static trailer?
Would the tongue still be attached to the TV?

Plus I would want static support to be far in excess of actual load.
At least 150% of actual or max load.

Action

Whether the trailer is hitched to the tow vehicle or supported by the tongue jack, the tongue weight is being supported by something other than the axles.

That said, I agree that you want to have a buffer in the capacity of the jacks/stands, in excess of the actual weight on the axles.

[John Ware]

I only stated how much weight each jack stand would be supporting. I didn't include the capacity of the jack stands needed because I'm not sure what the industry recommends which is probably 2X the supported weight.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by John Ware

I only stated how much weight each jack stand would be supporting. I didn't include the capacity of the jack stands needed because I'm not sure what the industry recommends which is probably 2X the supported weight.

I personally use 6 ton stands. When I was working and the AS was stored all winter, I used 4. Now it never sits very long and I use 2 for servicing purposes.

I don't mess with marginal capacities when I have my pieces and parts under heavy objects. The cost differences are negligible. My AS has about 8500# on the axles.

[John Ware]

Rich, mine are 6 tons also for a 3 ton trailer.

[Mollysdad]

Be sure to know what you're buying.
I'm very happy with the Harbor Freight jack stands, they seem overbuilt, but the weight rating is for the PAIR, not individually. So if you buy 6 ton jack stands, each supports 3 tons.
I used them as a backup to my floor jack, and so I placed them at the rear of the axle support rail.

[majorairhead]

I appreciate all the responses. Thanks!

[majorairhead]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Be sure to know what you're buying.
I'm very happy with the Harbor Freight jack stands, they seem overbuilt, but the weight rating is for the PAIR, not individually. So if you buy 6 ton jack stands, each supports 3 tons.
I used them as a backup to my floor jack, and so I placed them at the rear of the axle support rail.

This is the kind of information that's important.

https://agradetools.com/jack-stands-rating/

[majorairhead]

One more thing.

What do y'all prefer in terms of ratchet paw vs. pin style for locking them in place? Are the ratchet styles reliable?

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by majorairhead

One more thing.

What do y'all prefer in terms of ratchet paw vs. pin style for locking them in place? Are the ratchet styles reliable?

Yes, if they are a robust casting and latch.

I have pins. Less convenient, but a sure thing as far as robust design.

[Action]

I have both as well.
My pin type is made of thick sheet metal and the stand has got wear not in the pin lock area. In the foot of the stand. I had a vehicle shift a couple of times so now I always use left over plywood under those stands. The stand bottom bites into the wood.

Ratchet type is newer technology. Both have been very secure as far as the pin or ratchet.

Action

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by majorairhead

This is the kind of information that's important.

https://agradetools.com/jack-stands-rating/

Indeed. It was a good read.
By the way, people think of Harbor Freight as selling "China junk" and maybe that's true in some items, but the things I've bought that were welded steel (The hydraulic lift table, jack stands) seem overbuilt, if any complaint, it's they're too HEAVY!
I have a couple of their breaker bars and I stood on one with a 3' section of pipe added to break a bolt loose, and the 1/2" breaker bar flexed about 10 degrees but didn't snap. I was surprised.

[LNBright]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Indeed. It was a good read.
By the way, people think of Harbor Freight as selling "China junk" and maybe that's true in some items, but the things I've bought that were welded steel (The hydraulic lift table, jack stands) seem overbuilt, if any complaint, it's they're too HEAVY!

I've gotten a good bit of things from HF. Jack stands might be the one things I'd avoid from there, maybe... Awhile back, there was a recall on their stands, they had replacements you were to swap them out for, then they had to recall the replacement jack stands.... FWIW....


(My Craftsman stands are ancient, but, still at work... )