flat tyres

[RichardJ]

Hi

While in a CC site this weekend, we had a flat tyre on the near side rear, (TA), we called several dealers, NO ONE knew where the jacking points were.

With the help of the warden we managed to change the wheel, but, there are no clear directions as to where the points are, also what sort of jack should be used, the warden had a swift, but ours was different, no obvious points..

It's a TA swift Charisma, any pointers..

 

[Damian]

The best place to jack a van is one of three places.

First is directly under the axle , second is under the reinforced web where the axle joins the chassis rail and last is if you have lifting brackets fitted, use those.

Best jack is a trolley jack.

With a twin axle van, slide the jack between the wheels and jack under the reinforced web, it will lift both wheels off the ground.

 

[RichardJ]

The best place to jack a van is one of three places.

First is directly under the axle , second is under the reinforced web where the axle joins the chassis rail and last is if you have lifting brackets fitted, use those.

Best jack is a trolley jack.

With a twin axle van, slide the jack between the wheels and jack under the reinforced web, it will lift both wheels off the ground.

thanks

we had a trolley jack, it would not fit between the tyres. We were also told not to jack at the axle!

 

[RichardJ]

Further to my last, the manual shows a jacking point attached to the chassis, that does not exist.

Long time ago I contacted Swift, who simply referred me to the manual..

If we had a flat on the road we would have had a major problem, for the advise from certain parties to run van up on to some blocks, well!!!

If any member had a TA and uses a trolley jack, can you please advise of the make and type that fits between the wheels and works.

 

[xtrailman]

richard

You need at lest a 2ton jack, as damien has said, those are the recommended areas to jack, apart from the dedicated jacking point that uses the alko jack.

Put the jack under the van sideways on, i use a rubber interface to protect the chassis, you should get enough lift to jack up.

DON'T jack anywhere else, you could damage the chassis.

 

[Damian]

Who told you not to jack at the axle?

 

[J.Lo]

Further to my last, the manual shows a jacking point attached to the chassis, that does not exist.

Long time ago I contacted Swift, who simply referred me to the manual..

If we had a flat on the road we would have had a major problem, for the advise from certain parties to run van up on to some blocks, well!!!

If any member had a TA and uses a trolley jack, can you please advise of the make and type that fits between the wheels and works.

You pull the caravan onto blocks just to give you some height You cant put the jack between the wheels no more than you can put it under the wheel if working on the car. You put it behind the wheels where you will find the jacking point. Or just ring Green Flag. J.Lo

 

[RichardJ]

The best place to jack a van is one of three places.

First is directly under the axle , second is under the reinforced web where the axle joins the chassis rail and last is if you have lifting brackets fitted, use those.

Best jack is a trolley jack.

With a twin axle van, slide the jack between the wheels and jack under the reinforced web, it will lift both wheels off the ground.

Hi

We were on the phone to where we bought the van from, it was he who advised not to jack the axle....

Further to that I managed a discussion with Swift today, the jack point is the joint dead centre of the chassis, where the steel is double thickness and a trolley jack is advised, exactly what we done.

It was nice to have confirmed what we worked out, the manual was incorrect, but was correct for a single axle.

 

[Clive-Cardiff]

Hi Richard, I have not had to change a wheel on my TA, but just in case, I tried to lift the van high enough to change a wheel by towing the van up a ramp under the "good" wheel.

It worked well. I had plenty of room to have changed the wheel and I feel it's far safer to work on than particularly if your not sure of the footing under the jack.

The wedge ramp has a much larger footprint so can even be used on grass.

 

[starlightdj]

Hi Richard

We have a t/a sterling Europa so essentially the same van but for cosmetics.

When I got it I bought a kojack scissor jack which comes with the jacking brackets. One set for each side of the van.

You simply fit these to the pre drilled holes in the alco chassis.

once fitted simply slide the kojack into position and pump the handle in no effort at all both wheels are lifted off the ground.

We bought this essentially to help fit the alko wheel locks but now also jack the van on site to assist in levelling which is far easier than messing about reversing on to blocks and ramps.

Warning for safety always leave the van attached to the tow car when jacking especially on uneven ground.

As for jacking points itself I dont know any caravan manufacturer that fits proper highlighted jacking points as standard, I did raise this point on swifts own web site and they stated they would consider them for future, lets wait and see.

Hope this helps

John

 

[TD42]

What worries me about the original post is the fact that,"several dealers"& the site warden,all supposedly knowledgable regarding caravans,were not aware of jacking requirments for a modern caravan

specifically one with an ALKO chassis .ALKO's insructions regarding Jacking specifically tells you not to use the chassis rails as a jacking point as it could cause dammage & will invalidate the warranty.