I need to check the brakes on my '01 Laredo 25RL 5th wheel trailer. Last 5th wheel I had (91-98) had a severe tire wear problem brought on by either the dealer botching the axle flip or my practice of jacking one wheel at a time, at the shock mount. Can doing this bend the axle? Keystone recommends jacking from the frame, but my floor jack and jack stands don't reach high enough. Camping World says they jack from the axle. What do you guys think. :confused:

Mike

I have always jacked up trailer wheels one at a time, and never had a problem. A botched axle flop was probally the reason for the weird tire wear.

Recently I had wear on one of the tires of my dual axel RV trailer. After trying to fix it myself, we got as far as figuring out how much it was out but there was no way to align the axel, I found out that they bend the axels to set caster and camber angles. Since then I have decided I might lift the trailer by the frame or the outside end of the axel. Definitely not in the centre of an axel were you might just bend it a bit.

I'd need a 6k+ jack to lift just one side of the frame on mine!:eek:

Jacking at, under or near the spring perch (Not on the Spring) enough for the tire to clear the ground will not Bend the axle.

The axle/spring combo.. will articulate as it was designed. If this will Bend The Axle, you would be Bending It driving down the road.

A good RV/FrontEnd shop can align your axles. They will align the kingpin to each front axle hub center; then align front axle hub center(s) to the companion rear axle hub center(s).

10:1 it was the Axle Flip.

For what ever it's worth.

Idahofox

NEVER,NEVER,NEVER jack an RV by using the axle!! You will bend it as easy as bending a gum wrapper. They are not designed for that. You are supposed to jack the frame, or, in an emergency you can jack with the CENTER spring saddle. I have made from an 8X8 hunk of wood and extension for my bottle jack so it will reach the frame.

My 2 cents worth, ultimatly...your trailer, your decision

Thanks for the replies! I do believe that the axle flip was the cause of the previous 5er. Even after having it aligned (professionally bent) it still didn't totally fix the problem. So with this trailer I'm gonna try to find a way to jack from the frame, but will consider the insight you've given about the best places to jack on the axle.

Thanks again,
Mike

I checked Dexter's web site, they recomend a frame lift.

Over the past two years I have spent ~ 4 - 5 day at the Alfa factory in CA. In that period I have watched their technicians service 25 - 30 tire/wheel related events. I have spoken with the techs also. They jack a Single Point (servicing one tire at a time) at or near the spring perch.

When they fliped my axles, the coach was supported on jack stands ON the Frame, (Four Points).

I have my opinion, but would not want to be responsible for damage to someone elses equipment.

Please disreguard my previous Post.

Idahofox