Jack placement

[m&k]

trying hard to keep questions to a reasonable level, but ... going shopping today, trailer did not come with a jack, is the 21'. We are familiar with Casitas, and they do not put jack under the axle, same here?

Everyone has been so very helpful, thank you. Marilyn

[thoer]

Originally Posted by m&k

trying hard to keep questions to a reasonable level, but ... going shopping today, trailer did not come with a jack, is the 21'. We are familiar with Casitas, and they do not put jack under the axle, same here?

Everyone has been so very helpful, thank you. Marilyn

Marilyn - are you looking for a jack to use at home, or one to take along? I ask because the jack in your tow vehicle may work in emergency situations on the road. Also instead of a travel jack many people with dual axles buy a ramp that the non-flat tire pulls onto for safer emergency changes.

https://www.amazon.com/Trailer-Aid-T...+changing+ramp

[cpaharley2008]

Yes, the trailer aid is recommended versus use of a jack to fix a flat.

[m&k]

Thanks guys, I have been reading your posts for months so feel like I know you. Off to shop!

[thoer]

Originally Posted by m&k

We are familiar with Casitas, and they do not put jack under the axle, same here?

Marilyn, I see we forgot that part of your question. Yes the Escape also has a Dexter axle and it is advised to never jack the trailer up by the axle itself. I looked to see what it said in the PDF version of the Escape manual and see that is might cause confusion - when taking about brake adjustment it states: "Place the jack under the axle only"

When we picked up our 17B Reace said to place a jack only on the frame, close to the axle, never on the axle.

[m&k]

Thanks Thoer, so much to learn. There is lady on the Casita Facebook site( Arizona Eileen) that wrote a manual on how to do everything on that trailer. $60 for a printed copy --- retirement income!

[Steve Clark]

For tire rotation, I place the jack between the tires, with a block of wood to cushion the frame. Gets both tires off the ground for easy transfer.

[m&k]

Thank you Steve, at our age will probably take it to a tire shop. But you never know, might have to take two tires off in the boonies, good to know how!

[richardr]

Originally Posted by Steve Clark

For tire rotation, I place the jack between the tires, with a block of wood to cushion the frame. Gets both tires off the ground for easy transfer.

How frequently do you rotate the tires? Do you just rotate them on the same side or switch sides? Do you include the spare in the rotation?

[gbaglo]

My recollection is front to back on the same side, not side to side. Of course I don't have tandem axles so have no need to rotate at all.
You are unlikely to wear out tread before the tires age out.

Earlier thread is here:
http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f9...tion-7045.html

[Steve Clark]

Originally Posted by richardr

How frequently do you rotate the tires? Do you just rotate them on the same side or switch sides? Do you include the spare in the rotation?

Hi Richard! I rotate the tires every 5 K miles, just like on the tow vehicle:

Right front to Right rear
Spare to Right front
Right rear to Left front
Left front to Left rear
Left rear to Spare

Keeps them all in the rotation and gets it done with one jack to each side. About 45 minutes on level ground and chocks on the grounded tires

[dfandrews]

I just jacked up our 17 yesterday to adjust the brakes and check bearing play. (All OK; adjustment ended up being only one notch on each side!).
I used the screw-type bottle jack from our Honda Pilot; it worked great. Very easy. The only pain was on my kneecaps from kneeling on the cold, still damp concrete.
Since the jack top is not flat, I used a piece of steel strap between the jack and the frame, right ahead of the wheel, to protect the frame from deformation. Two layers of 4x4's went under the jack so I didn't have to crank forever. Oh yeah, since my driveway slopes, I dropped the coupler onto the ball/mount on the tow vehicle for security.

Easy!

[Jim Bennett]

I have the Trailer Aid, which works great for removing a tire on tandem axles, but do not take it along when travelling, as it is too bulky and heavy.

I have have Anderson Levelers, and though I have never had need to use them to remove a tire, I am sure they would work fine in a pinch. Not the same nice platform for the other tire to sit on, but I have them along anyway.

As far as rotating goes, like baglo said, I too doubt that you would see enough wear to need to bother in the 6-7 years I would keep the tires, as they just don't take the same starting, steering and braking stresses those on the tow vehicle would. BUT, if I did start to see some abnormal wear I would first look for a reason for it, correct that, and only then rotate.

[Donna D.]

I thought rotating tires on tandem axle trailers meant moving them front to back, not criss-cross side-to-side? Which is different than on a motor vehicle.

[cpaharley2008]

I think the series mentioned are for the older tires, yes front to rear for the newer style as there is normally no spare to add in the new style mini spare cars, in fact I have no spare in my new Mustang.