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05-08-2021, 10:21 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Name: Erik
Trailer: Scamp
Oregon
Posts: 4
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Question about jackstands
I have seen it recommended to use a jack and jackstand when servicing the bearings & wheels (on my Scamp 13). However, when I purchased a jackstand for this purpose, the label on the device specified that it was not to be used on an RV or travel trailer. Can anyone help me to understand why? It also specifies using the jackstands only in pairs rather than on only the side being jacked up for wheel service. Are there any jackstands approved for RV's? Thanks.
Erik in Oregon
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05-09-2021, 02:23 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Name: John
Trailer: Roamer 1
Smith Valley, Nevada
Posts: 2,880
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I wonder if it means not to use it for leveling or stabilizing?
__________________
I only exaggerate enough to compensate for being taken with a grain of salt.
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05-09-2021, 10:42 AM
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#3
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Junior Member
Name: Mick M
Trailer: Scamp
Washington
Posts: 25
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Jackstands
I use maintenance jack stands for only maintenance on my trailer but not for long term support. This may be what the manufacture is meaning.
A maintenance jack stands are typically ratchet or pin (not common) adjustment. This means you need to lower the vehicle (trailer) on to the jack.
RV jack stands are screw adjust and can be raised to match the vehicle (trailer). Also, the RV jack does not have a quick release like a maintenance jack stand, thereby providing more stability for long term usage.
As for using two jacks, this is a standard practice to ensure that the raising of the unit is even and stable. Since, my trailer has a frame, as most do, I used only one maintenance stand under the axle when I am performing work on the bearings. I raise the trailer using a bottle jack, lower the frame onto the maintenance jack stand and leave the bottle jack in place.
Keep in mind that the with any jack the load limit should never be exceeded.
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05-09-2021, 11:30 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Name: bill
Trailer: 2013 Escape 19
The Mountains of North Carolina
Posts: 4,137
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Years ago I bought a set of automotive Jack stands. The label included a lot of warnings including: “Do not use to support a vehicle” and “never work underneath a vehicle supported by these stands”.
Seems like their lawyers were working overtime..
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05-09-2021, 12:30 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Name: Michael
Trailer: Trail Cruiser
Alberta
Posts: 825
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I've used jack stands to support my trailer for years with no problems. A piece of 2x10 helps to prevent sinking on soft surfaces. My main reason for not using them is they often get stolen if the trailer is unattended.
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05-10-2021, 07:04 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Name: Greg
Trailer: 2008 Casita 17' SD
Washington
Posts: 1,997
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Definitely a load of "Lawyer-ese" at its finest. It's right up there with "Don't use this 120 VAC toaster in the bathtub." It's all CYA product liability protection for their product so they don't get sued by people too stupid to use a product safely or as it was intended to be used.
Why else would you buy jack stands if not to insure the rig won't come down if the lifting jack fails? Duh?
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05-15-2021, 10:16 AM
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#7
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Junior Member
Name: Frank
Trailer: Casita 17' LD
Florida
Posts: 16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eaufderheide
I have seen it recommended to use a jack and jackstand when servicing the bearings & wheels (on my Scamp 13). However, when I purchased a jackstand for this purpose, the label on the device specified that it was not to be used on an RV or travel trailer. Can anyone help me to understand why? It also specifies using the jackstands only in pairs rather than on only the side being jacked up for wheel service. Are there any jackstands approved for RV's? Thanks.
Erik in Oregon
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There is a reason for using jack stands on both sides. Using a jackstand on only one side leaves the trailer supported by one jackstand, one wheel, and the tongue, whatever it is sitting upon like dirt or wooden block. OK, so the wheel can roll, and the tongue can slide sideways and the jackstand tip over----all at the same time. Needless to say, it is coming down when that happens.
An even better suggestion is to have the tongue hitched to the tow vehicle so it can't slide sideways.
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05-15-2021, 11:35 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2002 19 ft Scamp 19 ft 5th Wheel
Posts: 3,640
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What kimd of jack stand do you have? A maintenance jack stand would be the ones to use. A stabelizing jack stand is so ething else.
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05-15-2021, 12:18 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: 2008 Scamp 13 S1
Arizona
Posts: 11,925
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If I were going to be under the trailer with the wheels off, I would want some redundancy in the jack stands.
I'm thinking of the recently recalled units from Harbor Freight that did not fully engage the stops and were prone to drop down without warning. I know HF is known for cheap products, but you just never know.
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05-15-2021, 12:30 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Name: John
Trailer: Escape 21, behind an '02 F250 7.3 diesel tug
Mid Left Coast
Posts: 2,940
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank R.
....
An even better suggestion is to have the tongue hitched to the tow vehicle so it can't slide sideways.
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^^ +1 !!
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05-15-2021, 02:07 PM
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#11
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Member
Name: Terry
Trailer: Gulfstream
Memphis
Posts: 57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon in AZ
If I were going to be under the trailer with the wheels off, I would want some redundancy in the jack stands.
I'm thinking of the recently recalled units from Harbor Freight that did not fully engage the stops and were prone to drop down without warning. I know HF is known for cheap products, but you just never know.
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There was even a thief killed recently trying to steal a Catalytic and his jack failed, car fell and killed him
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05-15-2021, 06:56 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Name: Darrell
Trailer: Scamp Deluxe 16ft
Alabama
Posts: 323
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Frank R. Is spot on about having something to "lock it down" from shifting while working on it. A norm for jack stands is to have other axle tires blocked in place or totally on stands the latter has "let" some people down in the past too.
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05-15-2021, 06:57 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Name: Darrell
Trailer: Scamp Deluxe 16ft
Alabama
Posts: 323
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There was even a thief killed recently trying to steal a Catalytic and his jack failed, car fell and killed him
Reply With Quote
"That sounds like it worked out well, for everyone else around there.
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05-15-2021, 07:37 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Name: Dave
Trailer: 2013Escape 21
Iowa
Posts: 1,212
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Jack stands
Quote:
Originally Posted by Darrell in Al
There was even a thief killed recently trying to steal a Catalytic and his jack failed, car fell and killed him
Reply With Quote
"That sounds like it worked out well, for everyone else around there.
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I prefer to be hooked up to the tow vehicle but if not I put four chocks on the opposite side tandem tires, leave the big three ton floor Jack up against the frame and use two three ton maintenance Jack stands to assure front and back stability. On the front Jack post if not hooked up I use a large piece of roughy lumber that won’t slide on the concrete floor. I don’t work in the grass or gravel unless it’s an emergency which hasn’t happened on any trailer I’ve owned. Of course I have a good changing a tire in the dark story for another time.
Iowa Dave
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05-16-2021, 09:14 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2002 19 ft Scamp 19 ft 5th Wheel
Posts: 3,640
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Iowa Dave and me, thats how I do it too. Must be an Iowa thing, me, from Fort Madison.
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05-16-2021, 01:15 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Name: Dave
Trailer: 2013Escape 21
Iowa
Posts: 1,212
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Fort Madison
Quote:
Originally Posted by Darwin Maring
Iowa Dave and me, thats how I do it too. Must be an Iowa thing, me, from Fort Madison.
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As a town with an historic past and some neat features, I like Fort Madison. I had a friend who was the Parks and Rec Director there. His name was John Brenna. That was in the late 80s and early 90s. He put on a good fall workshop once. Further down the road is Keokuk. If you blink, you’ll miss it and soon be in Misery.
Haven’t been to Fort Madison for quite a few years but do see the big crowbar hotel they have there on TV occasionally.
Iowa Dave
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06-25-2021, 07:28 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Name: Myron
Trailer: Escape
New Mexico
Posts: 987
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I admit I often don't know Jack. And I'll stand by that.
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06-27-2021, 08:16 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Name: Elliott
Trailer: Bigfoot
Everywhere
Posts: 462
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thrifty bill
Years ago I bought a set of automotive Jack stands. The label included a lot of warnings including: “Do not use to support a vehicle” and “never work underneath a vehicle supported by these stands”.
Seems like their lawyers were working overtime..
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Were they from Harbor Freight? With all the recalls that warning might have actually been legit..
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