caravan jacks

[g1]

I recently had to change a wheel on my caravan using a scissor jack. Because of the angle of the handle and its distance away it was quite a struggle.

I've looked at a couple of bottle jacks but they had flat tops and the axle of my van is curved if not cylindrical . I fear the van might slide off. Is there a bottle jack with a better top or is the flat top OK ?

Thanks, Wes

 

[antrimboy]

It's very dfficult to get a bottle jack which would have enough lift height in the event of a puncture.Do you have an axle bracket on each side where the axle passes through and lips round the bottom of the chassis? If so, you might be better off using your scissors jack under it, rather than under the curved axle.A much easier and safer system is to use a proper Al-ko jack, providing your chassis is already pre-drilled to take the brackets.Alternatively, there is an electric scissors jack on the market which is easily used under the axle bracket - I bought one for changing my wheels at home, but I wouldn't like to depend on it for changing a wheel on the motorway without an axle stand, considering the rate artics fly past - the breakdown service would be called for in this case.

 

[IanP1]

It's very dfficult to get a bottle jack which would have enough lift height in the event of a puncture.Do you have an axle bracket on each side where the axle passes through and lips round the bottom of the chassis? If so, you might be better off using your scissors jack under it, rather than under the curved axle.A much easier and safer system is to use a proper Al-ko jack, providing your chassis is already pre-drilled to take the brackets.Alternatively, there is an electric scissors jack on the market which is easily used under the axle bracket - I bought one for changing my wheels at home, but I wouldn't like to depend on it for changing a wheel on the motorway without an axle stand, considering the rate artics fly past - the breakdown service would be called for in this case.

I had a scissor jack for our van but found the same problem as g, with the angle of the handle and it being so far under the van I decided to buy a small bottle jack. After jacking the van up on the storage with it I soon decided it wasn't the safest thing to use and I didn't fancy having to use it in an emergency on the motorway hard shoulder, I decided to get a small trolly jack in a carry case, ok it is a bit more weight but I carry it in the boot of the car, much safer to use and you know it won't move about as it has a wide jacking platform to support the van and it is a low height if the tyre has blown and easy to locate it under the van.

 

[Joyce_5063910]

If you use a product called Trail-A-Mate from Australia which also doubles up as a jockey wheel, you do not require to take with you another jack.

This product has outriggers or brackets from the chassis using the two holes already on the chassis and it means that you lift your caravan from a standing positon on the outside of your van. There is never any need to go under the van elliminating any danger to you or the operator.

It can also be used as a leveller on uneven ground and it is very useful to those with the new alko locking device on twin axels.

One of the best advantages of Trail-A-Mate (other than been able to be used by anyone) is that the caravan or trailer can never fall off the jack even if the vehicle moves as the brackets fit into a groove on the lifting clamp.

It is not a cheap item but with its many uses it is a quality item. What price is the safety of the operator and the cost of your caravan when you are jacking it up for what ever reason?

 

[Pelyma1]

I use an air jack, decent ones are expensive, but are safe to use, lift my car or caravan with ease and take no effort.

 

[DJM]

I also use a car exhaust inflated car jack. It is very safe, quick, easy to control, stable and works well on any type of ground hard or soft.

Also excellent for levelling the van on sloping pitches.

Mine will lift three tons and is so easy to use, great for putting the van on axle stand or winter wheels as well.

Well worth considering if you are willing to spend around fifty pounds.

 

[Gary_374301095]

The kojack is supposed to be the dogs dangley bits or so I'm told.

 

[g1]

Thanks to all for your thoughts on this

 

[Alan_374306016]

I use an air jack, decent ones are expensive, but are safe to use, lift my car or caravan with ease and take no effort.

I bought a Draper air jack, but my car has twin outlet pipes on the exhaust, from a single silencer box, so I have to block 1 with sufficient force to inflate the jack!!