Choice of Jacks

Haven't purchased a jack for changing tires yet. Been hashing and re-hashing which is the better choice? Buy a hydrolic jack or a small floor jack?
What elevation would I need to lift a 2720? One ton-two tonthree ton?
Would like your experienced opinions please! Thanks!

Midwest Dave
Where the Mississippi runs east and west!

[rtcassel]

I use the bottle jack that came with my truck. On my level driveway, with the tires inflated, it slides under the axle and needs to go up about 9 to 12 inches if I remember correctly. When I had a flat, I had to use the TM's scissor jacks to raise the trailer high enough to be able to slide the bottle jack under the axle.

I bought a bottle jack; I made my decision on which one based upon the standing height and then the total raised height of the jack more than the weight limit. I believe I ended up with a 6 ton. I have a lift kit on 2720SL so I paid more attention to extended height.

Thanks Tim and Ron. These are some points I did not anticipate. I am getting a 2720 with the lift kit also, so that is a point well taken Ron. Me thinks that indeed a bottle jack is the way to go! Space and weight of jack is also a consideration too. I appreciate your comments and fast response!
Thanks!

Midwest Dave
recently retired

[ripp1202]

Don't use the jack under the axle!!!!!!! You will damage it. The manaul says to jack it up on the frame only!!!!!!!!! Per Dexter.

I bought a 6 ton bottle jack for use with my Ford F-150 and our 3124KS TM. I felt that my truck's stock jack was too miniscule in size! When we had our blowout, I discovered that at the jack's maximum lift that side of the trailer was not raised high enough to remove the tire. Therefore I had to support the trailer at the raised height with the electric tongue jack and the corner stabilizers. I then put a block of wood under the jack and raised the jack again. It took a couple of repetitions of doing this to get the side high enough to put on the spare tire. An alternative, and perhaps better way, might be to use 2 bottle jacks - lifting with one, putting the second on a block and raising it, and so on until the trailer's side is sufficiently high for tire removal and replacement. It's handy to have a few 2" x 6" blocks of wood with you on a trip.

[Speckul8r]

If you have the new TM, use the corner jacks. 5000# rated. Should llift it no problem. I have a cordless drill with a 5/16" L shaped hex key in the chuck. Use it for leveling. No cranking.

[rtcassel]

Originally Posted by ripp1202

Don't use the jack under the axle!!!!!!! You will damage it. The manaul says to jack it up on the frame only!!!!!!!!! Per Dexter.

You are correct. I should have said frame instead of axle.

Speckul8r are you saying since I am getting a 2006 model 2720 that the leveling jacks are enought? Or use those in addition to say a four ton bottle jack?

Midwest Dave

Is there a problem with just using the stabilizer jacks for lifting the trailer for tire changing? My 2000 2619 has four Liftco Lesure-Lift jacks which are rated at 5000 lbs each. Surely that is sufficient to lift one side of the trailer to change a tire! Here is what the factory says:
http://www.liftco.net/index.html?pag...=Jacks&level=2

Le-Sure Lift Levelers
American Made: Manual Leveling and Stabilizing system for most RVs and trailers. The LE-SURE LIFT is a specially designed interlocking scissor type jack. The system has a lifting capacity of 5,000 lbs. per jack. Bright or black zinc plated, plus a special clear protective coating for a corrosion resistant lasting finish. Large, stable 40 sq. in. foot, 4-3/4” retracted height, easily mounted with enclosed hardware kit or by welding. Sold in pairs with plated crank handle. Four models available.
#945000.001 Standard Model 20” Extended Height
#945000.002 Extended Model 24” Extended Height
#945000.B02 Black Zinc Model 24” Extended Height
#945000.B62 Black 24” OEM Style
#842012 Hand Crank Assembly

I can even lift the trailer with my cordless drill, so if anything these jacks are overkill. I always use them when I repack bearings or work on the brakes. In fact, these jacks are more substantial than most of the scissor jacks that come with cars and pickups!