jack locations

[ccarr113]

Hello all you professors of the the pop-up.  I need to jack up our coleman and the owners manual is somewhere inside it.  I don't want to go through the hassle of poping it up just to find it.  so my question is where is the best location for a jack?  I seem to remember something about not jacking the axle due to risk of damage but i'm not sure where I heard that.  Thanks in advance.

[JohnandLeann]

I believe you are correct about not jacking on the axle.  Choose a place on the main frame only, as close to the rear side of the wheel as safely possible.
This way the tongue jack helps support the front weight and lessen the risk of unbalancing the load of the trailer.

[flyfisherman]

Correct in not jacking via the axle.

I use a bottle jack (2-ton - WalMart -less than ten bucks) and place the jack behind the wheel and as close to the rear spring shackle. Usually put a piece of 2 X 6 under the bottle jack and a little piece of 2 X 4 on the top of the jack so the wood contacts the camper main frame.

If I'm going to do any work around the jacked-up camper I also have a jack stand that I'll use in addition to the bottle jack ... a sort of safety back-up.



Fly

[ccarr113]

Does the "main frame" run around the perimiter or does it run in the same direction as the axle?

[coach]

Coleman Owner's Manuals (1990-2009)

I think the manual says to seek professional help!

I do as Fly detailed.

[coach]

Does the "main frame" run around the perimiter or does it run in the same direction as the axle?

Perpendicular to the axle running from the front to the rear, just inside the tire.

There is one main 'rail' on each side of the trailer, connected at the tongue.
The spring shackle area is a good area as are these (jayco manual page):

[ccarr113]

thanks for the info, I'll have a look first thing in the morning.  maybe it will stop raining by then.

[wavery]

I would recommend behind the axle like Fly stated. If you put it in front of the axle, you may just lift the front of the trailer and not the wheel.

Plywood is recommended as a spacer because it is less apt to split than a piece of milled wood like a 2x4 or 2x6. If the wood splits, the whole thing could come tumbling down. I also recommend using a jack stand.