Hi all , with out appearing like a dum dum I'm curious about where the best position to place a jack on the van to change a wheel.
We've had the van 5 years and touch wood have never had a flat. We haven't retired yet but , we have travelled in it to top of Qld twice and to Vic a couple of times plus NSW coast
and west coast SA . We bought the van privately , a year old , and I never gave thought to a jack at the time we collected it .
I bought a 3 tonne bottle jack not long after but have never had to use it , so before I get a flat thought I'd ask the question.
the van is a dual axle 23'6 off road van with a strong chassis. Any thoughts ?
iana said
07:31 PM Nov 3, 2016
We have a 24ft outback van, the chassis is quite high. There are jacking points located on the cassis behind the wheels. I use a 3T bottle jack and carry blocks of 200 x 200 x 75 treated pine to make up the height.
elliemike said
09:43 PM Nov 3, 2016
If the van has a flat tyre can you actually get the jack underneath to jack it up.
Worth checking this out at home, unless you already have done it. Practice run.
I have had the experience of someone not being able to get the jack under the vehicle to get the wheel off with a flat tyre. The chassis was much lower than the height of the "New" jack fully closed. It went under OK with all the tyres inflated. !!!!!.
Radar said
10:30 PM Nov 3, 2016
The first thing to consider if you have a flat is try and get the van into a safe area and level as possble, then place one of you leveling ramps or blocks of wood under the tyre which is flat then tow the van up on top of the block to get axle up in the air a bit making it easier to jack up and change the flat tyre.
Place your bottle jack under the axle on a flat section near the u bolts.
Before raising the van to far and while the axle has weight on it, loosen the wheel nuts a bit.
One thing I found from 43 years of highway long distant transport driving is you never get a flat tyre in the shade or at a convenient time, just enjoy.
PeterD said
12:02 AM Nov 4, 2016
As Radar said, use some blocks to raise the wheel first. I use my levelling blocks to raise the axle enough to get the jack under. Raising the van on blocks also gives you a little more room to get under and place the jack under, however you should get out from under before you lift the van enough to get the wheel off.
There are some vans that you need to raise the body and not use the axle to get the wheel off. You need to let the axle drop down to get the wheel out from under the skirt or you can't remove it out and off.
macka17 said
12:14 AM Nov 4, 2016
Be like me.
I carry a TROLLEY jack.
that fits in footwell behind drivers door in Patrol.
It gives instant 25 second lift on car wheels.
Roll it between the wheels on a Tandem.
Pump.Pump. whole side of van up. again in coupla seconds.
ALSO...
When stopping for night.and ground a little/or a lot.
Uneven.
Piece of ply on ground. Trolley jack on. Pump up till van level.
Remove handle. (Nobody will notice it) and sleep level.
Next morn. Turn valve, roll out and off you go.
Probably the most under rated item in a travellers kit.
Along with his genny and chain saw.
Just make sure you get one with capacity to lift side of YOUR van.
I use 1.8 ton.
2 ton stays in garage. a little on heavy side.
and 1.4 won't lift the side of Roadstar. but does the Coromal tandem??.
I haven't used a bottle jack in 40 yrs either.
They oooold school. CLumsy and take forever.
PLUS... You can FALL OFF THEM....... Trolley. that don't happen.
Think about it.
up to 2 ton vans. $45. 1.4 ton, from Supercheap. Saves a LOT of energy
plus much safer.
Just cut a piece or two of 1 in ply/plank to fit t'ween van wheels to stand it on.
Tip.
If you have a decent compressor . buy an AIR jack to suit.
They dearer. but a real lazy mans tool.
One mate with wksp. Modified a long stroke bottle jack to suit.
Bloody worked too with a lock off tap for air.
Piston. some oil. floating valve. then air in from bottom/side.
Came down with a bang without it though. (Tap).
mezza56 said
08:29 AM Nov 4, 2016
What weight would you think you'd be lifting if jack is put under the chassis , half the weight of the van ?
more or less ? Thought about a trolley jack but not sure about the weight as it would be more than a bottle jack
I'm trying to minimise weight overall . the van weighs 3.2 loaded and I don't want to get pinged for being over the GCM .
Aus-Kiwi said
09:32 AM Nov 4, 2016
Check the owners book if it has one ? I try to jack from axle it suspension . This way your not raising suspension before tyre leaves the ground . Some dual axles ? A wedge or chocks can be used on good wheel . Consider a jack bag that connects to cars exhaust . Or your own pump ? Search . Quite cheap and very safe . Always change tyre OFF ROAD and level found . https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/332017958795
CC Bear said
10:06 AM Nov 4, 2016
Does any one know the operating pressure of the airbag in PSI ?
Radar said
10:18 AM Nov 4, 2016
mezza56 wrote:
Hi all , with out appearing like a dum dum I'm curious about where the best position to place a jack on the van to change a wheel.
We've had the van 5 years and touch wood have never had a flat. We haven't retired yet but , we have travelled in it to top of Qld twice and to Vic a couple of times plus NSW coast
and west coast SA . We bought the van privately , a year old , and I never gave thought to a jack at the time we collected it .
I bought a 3 tonne bottle jack not long after but have never had to use it , so before I get a flat thought I'd ask the question.
the van is a dual axle 23'6 off road van with a strong chassis. Any thoughts ?
hi mezza56.
This is my preferred method of jacking up my van, it called a side winder jack, I have tried it a couple of times, seems easier enough and stores nicely in its holder in the boot of the van, easy to lift in and out, a big plus, no climbing down undernearth, a bruty I think.
There is the trailmate jack system also, at present I only have the parts to jack the van up at the tow ball, in the near furure I will hunt down the missing parts.
The caravan is in my drive way which slopes down hill a bit, the blocks under the wheels help to level it while it at home.
The pressure I air bag depends on size ? A car can be lifted with the pressure from a vacuum cleaner . The assist air bags on 6 ton motorhome are only 15lb . But they are way smaller than a jacking bag .
macka17 said
11:18 PM Nov 4, 2016
Roadstar had/have the "sidewinders". b4 the Hydraulic ones came out.
I've had both.
The trolley jack to lift one side is still the easiest and safest to use.
Once it on ground you can wheel it around so not too bad.
Even if you stick it under front or back of suspension to do one wheel at a time.
One axle or suspension unit at a time.
ALL will do that.
and if you have a rig big enough to weight 3.2 ton. and not have room, comfortably.
to put a 15 to 25kg jack somewhere.
I'd be looking at what I've got in there.
Seriously. Try a trolley jack sometime. then Anything else. Either one first.
and then tell me they not worth it.
WITHOUT looking at the safety (falling over) aspect of it.
PeterInSa said
11:15 AM Nov 6, 2016
I second a Trolley Jack, use for Tug and 21'6" Tandem, I keep it under the false floor of the Cruiser. Travelling with a friend on the Gunbarrel Highway? in WA had a blow out in a bad section and had to use 2 Trolley Jacks to take off the rear wheel of the Cruiser.
Peter
Craig1 said
09:18 PM Nov 6, 2016
www.youtube.com/watch. Hope this link works. it's called an" Andersen rapid Jack". Very Solid compact and Roller Rocker Suspension Suspension should be compatible according to Alko. No back strain and no apparent issues. Just make sure in gear with tow vehicle hand brake on and engine off. Ian Grant Caravan Spares supply around $100. No affiliated interest. cheers Craig
Aus-Kiwi said
09:28 PM Nov 6, 2016
On my motorhome . I just Jack it up with hydro stabilisers .. Easy ..
Hi all , with out appearing like a dum dum I'm curious about where the best position to place a jack on the van to change a wheel.
We've had the van 5 years and touch wood have never had a flat. We haven't retired yet but , we have travelled in it to top of Qld twice and to Vic a couple of times plus NSW coast
and west coast SA . We bought the van privately , a year old , and I never gave thought to a jack at the time we collected it .
I bought a 3 tonne bottle jack not long after but have never had to use it , so before I get a flat thought I'd ask the question.
the van is a dual axle 23'6 off road van with a strong chassis. Any thoughts ?
If the van has a flat tyre can you actually get the jack underneath to jack it up.
Worth checking this out at home, unless you already have done it. Practice run.
I have had the experience of someone not being able to get the jack under the vehicle to get the wheel off with a flat tyre. The chassis was much lower than the height of the "New" jack fully closed. It went under OK with all the tyres inflated. !!!!!.
The first thing to consider if you have a flat is try and get the van into a safe area and level as possble, then place one of you leveling ramps or blocks of wood under the tyre which is flat then tow the van up on top of the block to get axle up in the air a bit making it easier to jack up and change the flat tyre.
Place your bottle jack under the axle on a flat section near the u bolts.
Before raising the van to far and while the axle has weight on it, loosen the wheel nuts a bit.
One thing I found from 43 years of highway long distant transport driving is you never get a flat tyre in the shade or at a convenient time, just enjoy.
There are some vans that you need to raise the body and not use the axle to get the wheel off. You need to let the axle drop down to get the wheel out from under the skirt or you can't remove it out and off.
I carry a TROLLEY jack.
that fits in footwell behind drivers door in Patrol.
It gives instant 25 second lift on car wheels.
Roll it between the wheels on a Tandem.
Pump.Pump. whole side of van up. again in coupla seconds.
ALSO...
When stopping for night.and ground a little/or a lot.
Uneven.
Piece of ply on ground. Trolley jack on. Pump up till van level.
Remove handle. (Nobody will notice it) and sleep level.
Next morn. Turn valve, roll out and off you go.
Probably the most under rated item in a travellers kit.
Along with his genny and chain saw.
Just make sure you get one with capacity to lift side of YOUR van.
I use 1.8 ton.
2 ton stays in garage. a little on heavy side.
and 1.4 won't lift the side of Roadstar. but does the Coromal tandem??.
I haven't used a bottle jack in 40 yrs either.
They oooold school. CLumsy and take forever.
PLUS... You can FALL OFF THEM....... Trolley. that don't happen.
Think about it.
up to 2 ton vans. $45. 1.4 ton, from Supercheap. Saves a LOT of energy
plus much safer.
Just cut a piece or two of 1 in ply/plank to fit t'ween van wheels to stand it on.
Tip.
If you have a decent compressor . buy an AIR jack to suit.
They dearer. but a real lazy mans tool.
One mate with wksp. Modified a long stroke bottle jack to suit.
Bloody worked too with a lock off tap for air.
Piston. some oil. floating valve. then air in from bottom/side.
Came down with a bang without it though. (Tap).
What weight would you think you'd be lifting if jack is put under the chassis , half the weight of the van ?
more or less ? Thought about a trolley jack but not sure about the weight as it would be more than a bottle jack
I'm trying to minimise weight overall . the van weighs 3.2 loaded and I don't want to get pinged for being over the GCM .
hi mezza56.
This is my preferred method of jacking up my van, it called a side winder jack, I have tried it a couple of times, seems easier enough and stores nicely in its holder in the boot of the van, easy to lift in and out, a big plus, no climbing down undernearth, a bruty I think.
There is the trailmate jack system also, at present I only have the parts to jack the van up at the tow ball, in the near furure I will hunt down the missing parts.
The caravan is in my drive way which slopes down hill a bit, the blocks under the wheels help to level it while it at home.
I've had both.
The trolley jack to lift one side is still the easiest and safest to use.
Once it on ground you can wheel it around so not too bad.
Even if you stick it under front or back of suspension to do one wheel at a time.
One axle or suspension unit at a time.
ALL will do that.
and if you have a rig big enough to weight 3.2 ton. and not have room, comfortably.
to put a 15 to 25kg jack somewhere.
I'd be looking at what I've got in there.
Seriously. Try a trolley jack sometime. then Anything else. Either one first.
and then tell me they not worth it.
WITHOUT looking at the safety (falling over) aspect of it.
Peter