Jacking up a caravan

Lyke Wake Man replied on 10/06/2017 18:25

Posted on 10/06/2017 18:25

Where is the best place to use a trolley jack to raise a caravan, I don't really want to buy a bottle/scissor jack with brackets, a trolley jack is more stable, but a modern caravan chassis won't take the weight

jennyc replied on 19/06/2017 10:36

Posted on 19/06/2017 07:44 by hortimech

Probably because at £85 the jack system is way overpriced, you can buy a 'normal' bottle jack for £9.99 from quite a number of places. This makes the brackets £37.50 each and as it has been pointed out, you do not really need the brackets.

Posted on 19/06/2017 10:36

I can't find a three tier bottle jack (necessary for its height) for anywhere near £10. A 'normal' jack won't extend to 39cm. However, like hortimech we subscribe to a breakdown service, which would be our first choice for an emergency wheel change. But that's not what the OP asked about.

Richard12 replied on 19/06/2017 11:11

Posted on 19/06/2017 10:36 by jennyc

I can't find a three tier bottle jack (necessary for its height) for anywhere near £10. A 'normal' jack won't extend to 39cm. However, like hortimech we subscribe to a breakdown service, which would be our first choice for an emergency wheel change. But that's not what the OP asked about.

Posted on 19/06/2017 11:11

Jenny,

Have a look on Machine Mart website, large selection of jacks.

eurortraveller replied on 19/06/2017 11:24

Posted on 19/06/2017 11:24

Thank you for the advice,  but no. Even if I had a jack I couldn't undo the wheel nuts,  couldn't get the spare wheel out from underneath, wouldn't want to crouch on the hard shoulder of a motorway, and would need to buy a torque thing to fix the new wheel on.  Green Flag membership cost me £49 and I let the man in the van do it all.  All I carry is a mobile phone with his number plumbed in. 

Nuggy replied on 19/06/2017 16:44

Posted on 19/06/2017 07:44 by hortimech

Probably because at £85 the jack system is way overpriced, you can buy a 'normal' bottle jack for £9.99 from quite a number of places. This makes the brackets £37.50 each and as it has been pointed out, you do not really need the brackets.

Posted on 19/06/2017 16:44

When buying a universal £9.99 bottle jack there is a high probability that the Saddle of the jack will be unsuitable to safely hold and support a caravan to prevent slippage. Buy cheap and take the risks.

EmilysDad replied on 19/06/2017 20:20

Posted on 19/06/2017 11:24 by eurortraveller

Thank you for the advice,  but no. Even if I had a jack I couldn't undo the wheel nuts,  couldn't get the spare wheel out from underneath, wouldn't want to crouch on the hard shoulder of a motorway, and would need to buy a torque thing to fix the new wheel on.  Green Flag membership cost me £49 and I let the man in the van do it all.  All I carry is a mobile phone with his number plumbed in. 

Posted on 19/06/2017 20:20

 Why couldn't you undo thevwheel nuts/bolts? ...... Just asking smile

jennyc replied on 19/06/2017 20:51

Posted on 19/06/2017 11:11 by Richard12

Jenny,

Have a look on Machine Mart website, large selection of jacks.

Posted on 19/06/2017 20:51

I've looked at Machine Mart following your suggestion and having done so, feel that I should make you aware that Machine Mart's entry point offerings, while selling at under £10, are unsuitable for the OP's, or any one else's caravan jacking needs. The chassis height gain needed to raise a caravan from a deflated tyre, to a height where a replacement wheel can be fitted, is considerably greater than that offered by a £10 jack. I quoted a 390mm rise from the Kojack, which is a practical elevation, and indeed Machine Mart do sell three stage jacks which offer comparable functionality. Their prices for this sort of elevation start at £83.98. I think that there might be a lesson here, in the benefits of making purchases which really are fit for purchase, rather than just cheap.

Nuggy replied on 20/06/2017 10:43

Posted on 20/06/2017 10:43

The good point about the Kojack is,  the bracket bolted onto the chassis and the jack's saddle lock into each other for maximum safety. I have one and have used it several times, if only to swop wheels round. Also it takes up a lot less space than a trolley jack.

Milothedog replied on 20/06/2017 10:53

Posted on 18/06/2017 19:28 by jennyc

Far too often in life I come across situations where people make a bit of a rod for their own back. The couple who won't shop in Lidl 'because it's a cheap shop'. My elderly stepmother who refuses to have an email address even if she never uses it. And now we have a member who doesn't really want to buy a proprietary jacking system for their caravan. You can buy a Purpleline kit which includes chassis brackets and a their suitable bottle jack which will stand on a levelling board, if required, for under £85. What price an easy very workable  roadside or field solution in an emergency.

Posted on 20/06/2017 10:53

Can't fit the jacking brackets to my caravan's chassis as that is where Elddis decided to fit a piece of timber to the floor for the mudflaps.surprised

 

Lidl is the future of shopping cool

molly68 replied on 20/06/2017 13:18

Posted on 20/06/2017 13:18

I purchased a Kojack jack from Robinsons caravans,Chesterfield.These have the smaller brackets which coachman fit to thier vans.I had same problem piece of timber for mudflaps.I find this jack works a lot better than a trolly jack positive connection between jack and caravan and a lot smaller than a trolly jack.

Bongonaught replied on 26/06/2017 20:04

Posted on 18/06/2017 19:28 by jennyc

Far too often in life I come across situations where people make a bit of a rod for their own back. The couple who won't shop in Lidl 'because it's a cheap shop'. My elderly stepmother who refuses to have an email address even if she never uses it. And now we have a member who doesn't really want to buy a proprietary jacking system for their caravan. You can buy a Purpleline kit which includes chassis brackets and a their suitable bottle jack which will stand on a levelling board, if required, for under £85. What price an easy very workable  roadside or field solution in an emergency.

Posted on 26/06/2017 20:04

 Probably very good advice for those who do not have motor movers ?  

near Malvern Hills Club Campsite Member photo by Andrew Cole

Book a late escape

There's still availability at many popular UK Club campsites - find your perfect pitch today for a last minute trip!

Book now
Woman sitting in camping chair by Wastwater in the Lake District with her two dogs and picnic blanket

Follow us on Facebook

Follow the Caravan and Motorhome Club via our official Facebook page for latest news, holiday ideas, events, activities and special offers.

Photo of Wast Water, Lake District by Sue Peace
Visit Facebook