Removing both wheels from one side of 27 ft International

[KettleKayaker]

Hi All,

In the next few days I am planning on removing both wheels from one side of my 2019 27 ft International. I will replace both both shocks and inspect the brakes and possibly replace the brake backing plates. After the first side is done I would move on to the other side of the trailer. Looking for some suggestions as to the "best practice".

It seems to me that having the trailer hitch attached to tow vehicle as an additional point to provide some stability would not be a bad idea. I would use the floor jack under the "diamond" of the jacking point and a bottle jack for safety.

Has anyone used a similar process to remove both wheels from one side of the trailer at time? Suggestions?

Thanks

[Ginophiles]

Just a thought. Instead of doing 2 wheels on each side at once, do 2 wheels on each axle. When we installed the Dexter lift kit on our 30' International, we got 2 heavy duty plastic car ramps from Harbor Freight. About $60 for a pair.

Then put one in front of the front tires on either side and pulled the trailer forward up onto the ramps leaving the back 2 wheels in the air. Installed the lift brackets on each side of the rear axle. Backed down and moved the ramps behind the rear wheels and repeated for the front axle.

Very easy. We liked it so much we keep one of the ramps in our rear storage area should we need it, and we did. Rolled into an RV park last fall and found a separated tread on the trailer tire. Deployed the ramp to the good tire and lifted the bad one up. Left it like that while we took the wheel for a new tire.

[jeffmc306]

I’ve done it twice, both times at Discount Tire. I had them install Dill metal stems and later replace the tires.

Use the tow vehicle connected to the trailer and the rear jack point. It will do the job. In your case I’d put a jack stand between the wheels on the frame in case the jack fails.

[Wayne&Sam]

I do exactly what the OP planned to do and jeffmc306 pictured.

[Mollysdad]

I put a bottle jack between the tires using the axle support beam. (where the shocks attach) If it's going to be up for a while, then I put a jack stand at one end of the axle support beam.
I disconnect the truck so I can use it for tools, etc.

[Andy543]

Originally Posted by jeffmc306

I’ve done it twice, both times at Discount Tire. I had them install Dill metal stems and later replace the tires.

Use the tow vehicle connected to the trailer and the rear jack point. It will do the job. In your case I’d put a jack stand between the wheels on the frame in case the jack fails.

Were you able to use the floor jack on the sewer side of the trailer? I don't know what the FC 27 looks like, but on the FC 28 the sewer pipes seem too close to the designated jacking point to use a floor jack, so we used a bottle jack instead.

[KettleKayaker]

Thanks for your ideas and photos! I'll start this project in a few days. (I have clear access to the jack points on my 27 ft international. One reason why I wanted both wheels off on one side at the same time, is so that I can rotate the tires while the other work is being done).

[Keys Dave]

I actually changed out the axles on my trailer using jack stands at the rear lifting points and 4x4 cribbing at the front jack points as well as the factory jack at the front. Worked out fine. But it's a pain. You can place the tires under the trailer at the frame corners as an extra safety margin.

[gamakai]

I did this same procedure minus the shocks just a few weeks ago. After looking at various ways to lift the trailer--I took Ginophiles' route. I decided that doing each axle instead each side at a time was faster and MUCH safer for the safety of me and the Airstream. Instead of buying the ramps I made them out of 2x8s I had laying around.

[Merlintiaga]

Another option is to lift off ALL the wheels use jack stands.
1) Lower the jack all the way.
2) place jack stands under the jacking points on each side of the trailer.
3) raise the jack until the wheels come off the ground.
Magic! Because the jack points are behind the axle and the suspension has very little travel, the axles don't drop much as the jack is raised. I saw this done at Colonial Airstream and I had my brakes done this was at my house. The jack has the same load on it that it normally has (about 940 pounds in my case) and each jack stand has half of the remaining weight (about 3200 pounds each). Easy peasy.
This guys shows a similar method on a horse trailer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6amyXNXBoo

[dmartinez]

Always leave one tire on each side, safety first!

[JCWDCW]

I prefer to use the Axle Frame for jacking point, but if you use the AS point then put some blocks under the axle frame if you intend to be under the wheels or trailer.
Agee that hooked up to the vehicle is a more stable set up. No chance of the trailer twisting off the jack

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by Andy543

Were you able to use the floor jack on the sewer side of the trailer? I don't know what the FC 27 looks like, but on the FC 28 the sewer pipes seem too close to the designated jacking point to use a floor jack, so we used a bottle jack instead.

Andy, no issues on the street side of the 27’ but if you hade a clearance issue, a bottle jack would work.

[JohnTF]

I would suggest to any preferring to their own work / repairs - build a ramp for both side [ that you tow the trailer onto ] , might do a double - in separate , one lower to be just high enough to take off wheels [ both sides at the same time ] .
The 2nd to put in front of the 1st - a 2 step , the 2nd for additional hight to give more room for other repairs that require more room .
ONE big suggestion ---- always use jackstands to hold trailer at working hight .
NEVER --- rely on any type of jack to hold trailer up while working under !!!

I use to be in the repair bis ---- and have seen many failures [ not using jackstands ] .

Leaving trailer attached to tow vehicle is good also .

[Jimmyg561]

I do the same as Molly's Dad, however I put a jack stand at each end of that shock support rail, then remove the bottel jack to do the other side, scine I am in the garage on a level concert surface, I do not hook up the truck. I just recently did this to replace the hubs and install new brake magnets.

[Mike0392]

Yep i used my ramps too.

[OneToFixIt]

Easy way to lift 2 wheels

[mythbuster88]

Put the entire trailer on axle stands.

Service the brakes.

i'll bet a beer/Costco hot dog that the shocks are fine.

Note that whatever method used, the trailer will flex and the door will open/close differently.

[TrvlngTinTin]

Purchased a couple 8 ton black jacks Walmart.
The bottle jacks hold, though I did add more fluid and I crank it a little bit tight on the valve, but then they hold for the day
Made blocks
3 cranks a piece back and forth up. Goes up smooth.
Chocking other side.
I’ve needed to replace one axle.
Mine are 4500 the piece and I’m avoiding putting all the trailer weight on one. Axle.
Tipping it at the centerpoint where the axles are seemed the best place to avoid frame flex.

[OneToFixIt]

Responding to the concern that lifting a whole trailer on 1 axle will exceed the weight limit of a single axle.

I’m not concerned at all by this. The shock and vibration load on an axle, frame and trailer spike up and down as it goes down the road. Sitting static in a single place while servicing the axle brakes is not a concern.

Also as a trailer naturally goes over terrain, such as a speed bump or pothole, either axle will naturally experience loads well beyond their load rating.

In engineering design, there must be safety factor. What it takes to bend any part of an axle is a multiple (4x-6x?) of a the axles rating.

Professional Mechanical Engineer with 27 years of experience here.