Caravan jack

Freddy55 replied on 16/01/2020 13:06

Posted on 16/01/2020 13:06

Hiya folks. 

Reading through the thread on tightening wheels nuts, it reminded me that I don’t have any means of ‘jacking up’ the axle to replace a wheel, should it ever be necessary. I know, I’m bad 😳 My B-I-L had an incident whilst on site which necessitated the replacement of a wheel. He used a trolley jack, but had trouble raising the axle high enough to replace the wheel (fully extended). I notice trolley jacks start at around £20 for a 2 ton. Whilst not wanting to spend too much, it still needs to do the job. So, I’m looking for a jack (trolley/screw?) that will raise the axle high enough, but not be too cumbersome, any recommendations please?

 

Tinwheeler replied on 16/01/2020 13:27

Posted on 16/01/2020 13:27

The easy answer is to tow the caravan into such a position as to elevate the affected wheel - either onto a ramp or a kerb. That will increase the ground clearance under the axle thus allowing sufficient space for the trolley jack to be positioned under the axle to obtain greater elevation and space to reinstate a fully inflated tyre. Leave the ramp, block, or whatever in place when lowering the jack and then reverse off it. Otherwise you may not have space to remove the jack from under the axle.

Choice of jack is up to you. A bottle jack is possibly a better option as it requires less space to store it and, providing you’ve a decent pad (plank of wood etc) to sit under the jack, it can be used on soft ground.

JVB66 replied on 16/01/2020 13:29

Posted on 16/01/2020 13:29

We have the Alko side lift jack, have not yet needed to use it in "anger"although have tried it and it seems stable but as with most jacks a piece of wood under the jack reduces the risk of sinking in soft ground, it is very easy to use without the need to get under the c/van to place it

Hakinbush replied on 16/01/2020 13:39

Posted on 16/01/2020 13:39

Hiya Fred, Ive got the AL-KO jack and I have still got to fix the brackets on the new van but thats easy peasey, well when the weather gets a bit more clement, but theres a few other brands around 'Kojack' they do a complete kit, then you have got bottle and trolley jacks, but jacking direct on the ALKO chassis is a no no, direct on the axle is ok, or the steel plate directly behind the wheel, but try that when the tyre is flat and your legs are sticking out inviting every one to dodge round em, to be honest go for the ALKO I mean they designed the blimming chassis so go with the German tech..

EmilysDad replied on 16/01/2020 14:10

Posted on 16/01/2020 14:10

The scissor ALKO jack that came with my twin axle van is not even as good as useless .... tried it on my drive, took some weight of the caravan & then put it back in its bag. It's now somewhere in the depths of my garage. Definitely not intended to lift 1.8 tons

Rufs replied on 16/01/2020 14:19

Posted on 16/01/2020 14:19

many many years ago I bought a Rolston 2t hydro jack to lift up my disco in the event of puncture etc, was ok jacking up the disco, problem was lifting the spare wheel of the rear door laughingused to let that nice AA man do the heavy work, but have used it to jack up my caravan just the once doing exactly as TW explained above. I take it out once a year just to check oil pressure is ok and that it works.

Rufs replied on 16/01/2020 14:26

Posted on 16/01/2020 14:26

be careful if you have a mover fitted it seriously impedes jacking from front of wheel, you will almost certainly have to jack from rear, so it is even more a good idea to get the spare wheel out if it is underslung on one of those ALKO get your legs run over cradles, before you think about jacking up, but this operation is also easier if you run van up on leveling ramp before trying to remove.

Hakinbush replied on 16/01/2020 16:00

Posted on 16/01/2020 14:10 by EmilysDad

The scissor ALKO jack that came with my twin axle van is not even as good as useless .... tried it on my drive, took some weight of the caravan & then put it back in its bag. It's now somewhere in the depths of my garage. Definitely not intended to lift 1.8 tons

Posted on 16/01/2020 16:00

Ok M M so you have  rubbished the ALKO setup so come on mate what is your prefered aswer to being on the motorway getting dark pouring with rain your family just getting a little preturbed, and dont give me all that ring RAC, GREEN FLAG, or the other one, they too busy to attend at mo the OP asked for a bit of advice in helping him self, try to be a bit more possative..

JVB66 replied on 16/01/2020 16:01

Posted on 16/01/2020 16:01

If we need to change a wheel it i am sure be when out on the road so thats what our breakdown service is for,,but our ALKO side jack is ,as tried, very capable of lifting our loaded C/van high enough to get at the spare and replace the faulty wheel, our spare is under the van and lowered on a cable from inside

EmilysDad replied on 16/01/2020 16:37

Posted on 16/01/2020 16:00 by Hakinbush

Ok M M so you have  rubbished the ALKO setup so come on mate what is your prefered aswer to being on the motorway getting dark pouring with rain your family just getting a little preturbed, and dont give me all that ring RAC, GREEN FLAG, or the other one, they too busy to attend at mo the OP asked for a bit of advice in helping him self, try to be a bit more possative..

Posted on 16/01/2020 16:37

I bought a small trolly jack from Machine Mart for £20 odd. Not the best jack in the world but it does the job.

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