jacking up a foamed E21C

[John in Santa Cruz]

so I wanted to jack up my right (curb) side so i could slip my leveler ramps under the tires, as my truck is dead so I can't move the trailer and its rather unlevel...

I dragged my floor jack out, was going to lift from the main frame right behind the rear wheel... only its all covered in foam from behind the wheel to the right rear BAL.... I tried lifting from behind the BAL leveler, but even with my floorjack at full extension, the tires were still on the ground.

[Ron in BC]

This is how I use a floor jack. Tilting it does the trick.

Ron

[Iowa Dave]

I have an extra long Jacking handle on my floor Jack. I roll it under the trailer from the side opposite of that I want to lift. I locate my lift point between the tandem wheels on the frame and jack the trailer up.

If it’s going to be “up” for any length of time I use jackstands on the frame just outside of each tire “radius”.

I find it’s easier than trying to jack up parallel to the tires. We do not have insulation so I don’t know if this technique helps in that case.
Iowa Dave

[mfschu]

I use a bottle jack on my E21. I slip it in between tires and use a few wood blocks, one on top between the frame and the top of the bottle jack to spread the force out, and another block under the jack to take up some of the slack.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

This is how I use a floor jack. Tilting it does the trick.

Ron

Maybe it’s the angle but that picture looks like you are under the torsion arm. That might work if you are trying to raise a wheel (which I guess could work if you are just trying to slip a leveler under the tire). Just wanted to point out that to lift the trailer Escape recommends jacking out on the axle mounting point.

[Ron in BC]

Your're right, I was lifting just the wheel.

Ron

[John in Santa Cruz]

i don't think my old school floor jack will fit between the wheels, but I'll give that a try next day its not raining.

[MrLynn]

I like Dave's idea of an extra-long jack handle. When I had to remove a leaking tire, I used my bottle jack, which has more reach than my floor jack (even with the floor jack on a couple of 2-bys). But to use the jack I had to get under the trailer, which makes me nervous. Never had to do that on my Casita.

[Ron in BC]

I went the opposite route many years ago. I made a stubby jack handle for restricted spaces when there wasn't enough vertical room to swing a longer handle.

Lot's of interesting stuff to see under a trailer. If you don't have spray foam.

Ron

[Iowa Dave]

I can slide under the camper when it’s not on jack stands but I gotta wiggle a little bit cause something below my chest gets in the way. My old craftsman floor jack has a two piece handle with a bolt that holds the two pieces together it’s handy at times.
Iowa Dave

[huskersteffy]

I don't have the foam so I use a bottle jack directly under the frame on top of a short stack of 2x10's. Once it's up off the ground, I place two jack stands under the frame: one in front of the wheels and the other behind the wheels.

I assume its ok to use the frame as a jack point (?)

[dxlc]

Did your floor jack fit between the wheels?

[Iowa Dave]

My floor Jack does not fit between the wheels. I either insert it parallel to the inner side of the tires till I hit the frame jack point. Be careful of the tanks. Sometimes I push it under the trailer from the other side and jack from there with a cheater on the end of the jack handle. We do not have foam insulation.
Iowa Dave

[brroberts]

I have foam, but not over the frame. If it had overspray on the frame, I would remove it where I needed Jack / stand points.

[hugh]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

I can slide under the camper when it’s not on jack stands but I gotta wiggle a little bit cause something below my chest gets in the way.

...

Iowa Dave

No need to brag...

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by hugh

No need to brag...

I’m working in my garden after a winter layoff. Hopefully my clearance will improve. It’s gonna be 85F plus this week so maybe just maybe.
Iowa Dave

[dxlc]

Thank you!

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by dxlc

Thank you!

No problem. I use two heavy duty jack stands and make sure the wheels are chocked and or I’m hooked up to my tow vehicle. An inch or less of clearance from the flat concrete it’s parked on is plenty to get clearance to change the tires. If they will spin that’s enough and it makes it a little easier to spear the studs when reinstalling the tire and wheel, (for this old man at least) Take your time, easy does it.

Haven’t been to Sacramento since I visited my friend I Chenn
In Auburn. He owned a donut shop there. I hired him as a Cambodian boat person and he flourished. He was my Cambodian Custodian.
Iowa Dave