Jacking up a fifth wheel

I been in discussion with other owners of 5 er's and havn't received the same answer twice as to how to properly jack up a fifth wheel to remove 2 tires and take them to get balanced (as they don't do it at the factory) then replace them and take the other 2 to get balanced. Where is the best place to jack (and what kind of jack is best) the unit and where is the best place to put the jack stands while 2 tires are off the unit? I wanted to do this as soon as we bought it but like alot of thing didn't get around to it until the strorage season. Any ideas? or do I have to do one at a time?

Well, you are going to hear the same thing here too. The manual says jack up the frame to take all the pressure off the axles.

Some of us put a bottle jack under the U bolt closest to the tire and jack there. But this is only good for 1 tire at a time.

I do it this way, I have lengths of telephone poll cut to fit under my camper. I lower my hydraulic landing gear all the way down, put said poll under the frame directly behind the rear axle. Raise the landing gear all the way up, then put the other poll under the frame in front of the axle, then lower the landing gear.

Both tires are off the ground at the same time.

Either way you do it , " Keep Thinking Safety ".

chock your truck tires and the camper tires, Keep thinking forward of " What if ".

I assume that if you lower the front of your cat as low as it will go then put axle stands behind the axle then extend the landing legs and do the same in front of the axle you should end up with all four wheels off the ground. I would then lower my rear steadies so that there is 8 points of contact with the ground. You would need to sure that the axle stands are of a quality to withstand the loads that you are going to impose on them, also that they are on a good base so they do not sink or tip. If you have a stabilizer system fitted I would also lock these of to help stability. If you use this method make sure that no one enters the Cat whilst it is on the stands
But as Admin points out be aware of any thing untoward that could occur, and place yourself or persons helping in danger.
Sean

I can get big 10x10 posts to put under the back frame of the cat, I can't keep my truck hooked up as I need it to transport the tires to get balanced, so I will need to do all the jacking without the cat hooked to the truck. I will only do 2 at a time, I know its more driving but I will feel safer. So what I am getting from replies is using the rear frame as a fulcrum and using the front electric jacks to lift the tires off the ground? Is that too much weight for the electric jack motor to lift? as I will be lifting the entire weight of the cat from the front jacks?Maybe I will do one at at time, but I'm not sure about putting a jack on the U bolt, won't that bend it?

Gusttheusher, I have jacked up my cat using a Jack very near the U bolt with no problem, I used this method when I was modifying my brake drums. If you use your landing legs to lower the front as low as possible, then put your blocks as near to the rear axle as possible this way you are only a little way back from your axles and the fulcrum effect is still just off center. and not at the rear of your Cat. I have also lowered the front of my Cat onto blocks so that I could fit measure and fit my stabilizer's, when I done this there was very little weight on my rear set of wheels.
But be aware there are dangers in almost every thing we do.
Sean

When I first purchased the Cat I contacted Rod Batts since there was nothing in the owners manual pertaining to this subject. Below is the response I received. I carry two 8 ton bottle jacks. I put blocking and one jack in front of the front tire and the other directly behind the rear tire. You only need to lift about 3".

KH

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From: Rod Batts [mailto:rbatts@forestriverinc.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 10:01 AM
To: Kevin Huber
Subject: RE:


Kevin,
The best thing to do is when using a jack, you need to put it either in front or behind the tire on the main frame. Never put it on the axle as it can damage it. Put it as close to the tire as you can to lift each one to replace. Hope this helps.
Thanks, Rod



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From: Kevin Huber [mailto:khuber@millerbldgs.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 9:34 AM
To: Rod Batts
Subject:


Hi Rod,



My name is Kevin Huber. I recently purchased a used 2008 Wildcat 28rkbs. I would like to know the correct lifting procedure for changing a tire. The axle literature refers you to the trailers owner’ manual but there are no instructions in the owner’s manual for lifting the trailer to change a tire. I see lots of suggestions on different RV forums and many are pretty scary. Do you have specific instructions on how to lift the unit for changing a tire? I have one of the ramps that you drive up on with one wheel to change a tire but the other tire is still on the ground.

Thank You

Kevin Huber

Hi Gustheusher

It seems to us that the methods suggested - while all practical - are also a bit elaborate for what you are trying to achieve. You might try this method - We have a 28RK with a 10tonne Bottle Jack for changing the one puncture that is the most likely senario - however carrying the idea 1 step further jack on the frame adjacent to the first wheel you wish to remove - replace with spare wheel - go to the other side and jack the remaining wheel and remove - you could wheelstand or block that side while you take the wheels to be balanced.

Regards
from Godfrey & Susan

Sean wrote:Gusttheusher, I have jacked up my cat using a Jack very near the U bolt with no problem, I used this method when I was modifying my brake drums. If you use your landing legs to lower the front as low as possible, then put your blocks as near to the rear axle as possible this way you are only a little way back from your axles and the fulcrum effect is still just off center. and not at the rear of your Cat. I have also lowered the front of my Cat onto blocks so that I could fit measure and fit my stabilizer's, when I done this there was very little weight on my rear set of wheels.
But be aware there are dangers in almost every thing we do.
Sean

Sean _ what did you do to your brakes kind sir?

oldelmer1 wrote:Well, you are going to hear the same thing here too. The manual says jack up the frame to take all the pressure off the axles.

Some of us put a bottle jack under the U bolt closest to the tire and jack there. But this is only good for 1 tire at a time.

I do it this way, I have lengths of telephone poll cut to fit under my camper. I lower my hydraulic landing gear all the way down, put said poll under the frame directly behind the rear axle. Raise the landing gear all the way up, then put the other poll under the frame in front of the axle, then lower the landing gear.

Both tires are off the ground at the same time.

So I am assuming old timer that by your reply the jack under the u-bolt is the correct way to get one tire off. I got a bubble in one and it needs tire shop help bad. Do not want to take trailer it so I am trying your way.

Dan,

In your situation, that's what I would do, under the U bolt.

I cut 4 pieces of hardwood(walnut, 4" x 6") and glued & screwed them together, then drilled a hole in the underside for the jack head to go into. Placed under both U bolts and jack in the center between both U bolts.

Of course, the correct way is lifting them from the frame, according to the manufacturer.

oldelmer1 wrote:Dan,

In your situation, that's what I would do, under the U bolt.

I cut 4 pieces of hardwood(walnut, 4" x 6") and glued & screwed them together, then drilled a hole in the underside for the jack head to go into. Placed under both U bolts and jack in the center between both U bolts.

Of course, the correct way is lifting them from the frame, according to the manufacturer.

Thank you for the reply. I would agree with Manufacture if I was trying to get both off the ground.