Want to jack up your travel trailer but don’t know where to install the jack? Or do you have no clue what size and type of jack will do the job efficiently? If that’s why you’re here, you’re at the right place.
This post is about how to jack up a travel trailer with a bottle jack.
Let’s just get into it.
What Tools Do You Need to Jack up a Travel Trailer?
Lifting an RV can be done with a few tools – jack, jack stand, wheel chocks, and blocks to place under the jack, which is required in some cases that will be discussed ahead.
Jack for Travel Trailer
Two things should be considered when choosing a jack for a camper – load capacity and the lift range. The jack should have enough capacity that can lift the RV or some part of it. If the overall weight is under the jack’s capacity, that’s the safest case.
This can easily be fulfilled since most bottle jacks have 4, 6, and 12-ton capacities that lift way more than an RV’s weight and they’re cheap too. If you already have a jack of say 2 tons (4,000 lb) and your travel trailer weighs 4,000 lb or 5,000 lb, you can lift it up with the same jack.
Because you cannot lift the RV at once with a jack. You must be lifting one wheel or corner, which will definitely weigh less than 5,000 lb which will come under the jack’s capacity.
Next, the lift range matters the most. Since you will be using a bottle jack which is the tallest in hydraulic jacks, it should be small enough that it can be installed under the RV. Its maximum height should also be more than the trailer’s ground clearance.
If the jack is shorter than the clearance and can’t reach the jack point, you can place a strong block under the jack that can bear the load. This will help you gain some height.
We’ve already gathered affordable bottle jacks for RV and travel trailers. If you’re interested, have a look at them through the link below.
Jack Stands
You’ll need jack stands for holding the load after it has been raised with the jack. It’s safer than relying on jacks only. Like the bottle jack, the stands should also meet the RV’s capacity and lift range requirements. More on jack stands for a travel trailer can be found in the following article.
What kind of a jack would work better for a Travel trailer?
It’s obvious from the main title that you want to lift your travel trailer with a bottle jack, which is one of the best solutions over other hydraulic jacks. The given article will be handy in choosing the kind of jack for lifting an RV.
Wheel Chocks
They help prevent the vehicle from moving. Especially if the ground is uneven, which is not recommended for jacking up a trailer. You can use any chocks, blocks, or something that can block the wheels. Make sure to chock the wheels that stay on the ground.
How to Jack up a Travel Trailer With a Bottle Jack [ A Step-by-step Guide]
Now that you’ve gathered all the tools we need to lift the RV, let’s run through each step of how to jack up a travel trailer with a bottle jack.
Prefer a Level & Hard Ground
It helps in two ways: it disallows the trailer to move, and second; the jack won’t sink into the ground. If you got a flat tire off the road, and want to raise the RV, the ground may not be hard enough. In such situations, place some blocks or something that can pave a hard surface for the jack only, this will still work.
Find the Jack point
Refer to the manual for locating factory-labeled jack points. The lifting point should be solid enough that it can hold the RV. Installing a jack under a fragile part that doesn’t hold the weight could cause you a huge cost. That’s why you should be careful at this stage.
Since Campers are placed on the frame, which is already heavy duty and can hold the load, placing the jack underneath means lifting the RV. So prefer the frame beams over other locations. Avoid the axle.
Chock the Wheels
Since you will be lifting one side or wheel at a time, the opposite wheels that stay on the ground must be blocked to prevent unexpected rolling. Yes, the hand or emergency brake must be applied too. The tires can be blocked via chocks or blocks.
Install the Jack
The next step is to place the jack under the marked point. As you use a bottle jack, ensure that the height is smaller than the clearance. If the saddle is not reaching the jack point, it can be elongated by simply rotating the jack’s head. Once reached, or a few centimeter spaces remain, then start stroking the pump. The jack will start rising and so does the RV after it touches the point.
Placing the Stands
In travel trailers, the jack stand should be placed near the jack since you’re not free of points, thanks to the frame beams. Lift the RV higher than the stand’s height so you can install them with ease. Once placed, lower the jack, and the load will rest on the jack stand, not the jack. Which you can now remove as well.
Do your work.
How to Remove the Jack and Jack Stand under the Travel Trailer?
If the load is lying on the stand, install the jack in its previous position. Pump it high enough that the stand no longer holds the load, but the jack. Remove the stand, and then lose the jack. The trailer will come down. Ensure that the tire is already installed before lowering the vehicle.
Last Words
This was all about how to jack up a travel trailer with a bottle jack. It’s as simple as lifting other vehicles. All you need to have is the right size jack and stands, along with the chocks. If you’re good at DIY and have done several other maintenances in your car, you can lift your travel trailer with a bottle jack, without a hand from a professional.