What jacks people carrying

[3crispies]

Just tried and need a new trolley or bottle jack, went to motorhome earlier and tried our 2 tonnes and doesn't go high enough. Forgot to measure jacking point to floor height ours lifts to about 350mm so need small light weight one with saddle extension. What does everyone use as a locator into oem holes too.

 

[Boaty]

Whilst the hydraulic levelling system is fantastic, they come with a safety warning not to use them as the sole method of ”jacking” the vehicle up when changing tyres.

Being picky; depends on which document you read. New owners, new docs and the panel/remote has changed.

Additionally, a current manual I read refers to working under the vehicle to change a "tire" .
Never done it from that side before .

 

[3crispies]

Used to playing axle stand jenga, have many different trolley jacks but nothing compact to lift MH, so another tool for my collection.

 

[Blaydon]

Hi folks. Another point to remember. When you need to jack up the van on the side of the road, especially fast roads, side winds from passing vehicles can blow the van off the Jack.
Until we got self/levelling with four jacks, I would call breakdown services to change a wheel as they came with big jacks and a nice big van to act as a windbreak.

 

[L' Hobo]

That's not the whole story. If for example you lift one wheel far enough, the opposite corner stays on the floor but the other two wheels will be in the air. So the weight is divided between two wheels, each taking half the weight. What happens in reality is that it starts off taking 1/4 of the weight, and this gradually increase to 1/2 of the weight as the suspensions of the other two wheels relax. So a 2 ton jack might get quite near its limit. Especially if the weight was not evenly distributed.

IF you are lifting your van high enough (and why would you?) to have the weight divided between the jack and the opposite corner wheel. You have got yourself a dangerous & very unstable vehicle!

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[autorouter]

IF you are lifting your van high enough (and why would you?) to have the weight divided between the jack and the opposite corner wheel. You have got yourself a dangerous & very unstable vehicle!

Why would you? It's a breakdown situation, could be anywhere. Certainly not likely to be flat, smooth and level. I was pointing out the simple fact that if you are working on the assumption that the weight on one corner is never going to be greater than 1/4 of the total weight, then you are likely to get a nasty surprise. It is quite noticeable that the opposite corner suspension compresses as it takes more of the weight. The jacked-up corner is also taking more of the weight.

 

[L' Hobo]

Why would you? It's a breakdown situation, could be anywhere. Certainly not likely to be flat, smooth and level. I was pointing out the simple fact that if you are working on the assumption that the weight on one corner is never going to be greater than 1/4 of the total weight, then you are likely to get a nasty surprise. It is quite noticeable that the opposite corner suspension compresses as it takes more of the weight. The jacked-up corner is also taking more of the weight.

As you say, it's a breakdown situation BUT, if I tried to jack up a vehicle a vehicle so high that it would act like a butterfly valve, just pivoting on two points, one of which, in your words, is neither "flat, smooth or level," I think you may be looking at a disaster of a completely different kind.

Personally, I think I would be prepared to destroy the tyre/rim and drive the vehicle until I found an area better suited to jacking or, better still, phone a tyre fitting company,
but, as I've written many times, each to their own!

 

[busbuddy]

I use the jack fiat put in the van, not had a problem with it yet

 

[Boaty]

I use the jack fiat put in the van, not had a problem with it yet

I've no problem with mine either .
Up in the garage attic .

 

[3crispies]

As you say, it's a breakdown situation BUT, if I tried to jack up a vehicle a vehicle so high that it would act like a butterfly valve, just pivoting on two points, one of which, in your words, is neither "flat, smooth or level," I think you may be looking at a disaster of a completely different kind.

Personally, I think I would be prepared to destroy the tyre/rim and drive the vehicle until I found an area better suited to jacking or, better still, phone a tyre fitting company,
but, as I've written many times, each to their own!

tyres are replacable, always drive to somewhere safe and use 2 forms of mechanical aid....

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[Sleeveless]

Just remember, whatever jack you carry, it has to get under the lower chassis point if you have a flat tyre.
A lot of bottle jacks cannot so you might need the scissor jack to initially lift it?

Why not try out your jack under the vehicle, on a dry day, under both the front and back tyre and see if you have sufficient clearance (about 5-6inches?)

Or maybe just use a levelling block to gain enough height.....

 

[the1andonly]

A question for those that have actualy lifted thier vehicles (without lifting systems). Where is a sensible place to lift front end and use axle stand if standard jacking place is unavailable/ unsuitable.

 

[L' Hobo]

A question for those that have actualy lifted thier vehicles (without lifting systems). Where is a sensible place to lift front end and use axle stand if standard jacking place is unavailable/ unsuitable.

I can't speak for others but on my Ducato's X250, I jack on places provided, axle stands on chassis box section or, if you have air assist on rear axle, you must jack BELOW rear box section axle, do not allow 'semi air bags' to hang!

 

[Mal+Moy]

I've got one of these and it has the height to lift a 4 tonne Ducato wheel 120mm off the ground so long as packed up with a wood off cut, Make sure the wood is bigger than jack to give the lift stability and also make a 6mm piece of steel plate to cover the hole at lifting point

 

[autorouter]

As you say, it's a breakdown situation BUT, if I tried to jack up a vehicle a vehicle so high that it would act like a butterfly valve, just pivoting on two points, one of which, in your words, is neither "flat, smooth or level," I think you may be looking at a disaster of a completely different kind.

Personally, I think I would be prepared to destroy the tyre/rim and drive the vehicle until I found an area better suited to jacking or, better still, phone a tyre fitting company,
but, as I've written many times, each to their own!

I was trying to explain why people who think this:

You are only lifting one wheel and that no where near 2 or 3 tons so a one ton jack would be ok

can put themselves in danger by overloading a jack they think ought to be adequate. And why the load on the jack increases from 1/4 of the weight as the wheel jacks up. But presumably you agree with Chris RJ.

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[VXman]

And worth every penny.

Not in my opinion. I guess if I had so much money that £6000 wouldn't be noticed then I probably would get it but I don't see it was something worth spending that much on personally.

 

[VXman]

Even though I have a spare wheel i wouldn't be jacking it up in a on the road situation. I'd be calling breakdown and they can fit my spare for me.

I have changed it once when I had a slow puncture so I waited until I was parked up somewhere suitable and I took my time to change it slowly and safely just to save me the hassle of calling out breakdown.

 

[the1andonly]

I can't speak for others but on my Ducato's X250, I jack on places provided, axle stands on chassis box section or, if you have air assist on rear axle, you must jack BELOW rear box section axle, do not allow 'semi air bags' to hang!

Thanks, i have a problem with the front jacking point as it has been used to mount a step, thus specificaly looking for advice for front bottle jack location.

 

[L' Hobo]

I was trying to explain why people who think this:

can put themselves in danger by overloading a jack they think ought to be adequate. And why the load on the jack increases from 1/4 of the weight as the wheel jacks up. But presumably you agree with Chris RJ.

In answer to your question.
In an emergency, IF used correctly , with 3 other wheels on the ground, (as they should be and knowing that to be awarded a UK safety stamp, a 1ton jack has to lift, at least, 1.5tons,) the answer is YES!
(but, as usual, the punctured wheel would go under the vehicle near me, while I fitted the spare)

However, I prefer to use either the provided scissor jack( and my heavy duty Dewalt impact wrench, ) correctly on the provided jacking points.
(which means that it would be very hard to get into the scenario you described ) more likely nowadays,, a tyre company.

Or, my 5ton trolley jack (which also carries a UK safety stamp) with axle stands, when I'm at home.

 

[Two on Tour]

Not in my opinion. I guess if I had so much money that £6000 wouldn't be noticed then I probably would get it but I don't see it was something worth spending that much on personally.

It's not a case of having so much money which we don't have, but more the case of spending our money on what we feel enhances our enjoyment of our motorhomeing which it does in our case. We had years of trying to get some sort of level using wedges and taking thousands of miles out of our clutch in the process like you think a leveling system was a waste of money, but then we came to our senses and realised what a benefit they would be over the cost.
Having the levelling system means that we don't have to wait on the roadside for hour trying to arrange the breakdown company to come out, and what fun that would be in a foreign country on a Sunday.

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[L' Hobo]

Thanks, i have a problem with the front jacking point as it has been used to mount a step, thus specificaly looking for advice for front bottle jack location.

Sorry, I misunderstood.
Firstly, I have to say, I'm shocked that someone has blocked a jacking point to install a step?

Secondly, without seeing the underside of your vehicle, it's hard to be specific, but in general, I would use a strong chassis box section, near to the jacking point, and use a wooden block to spread the load.

+ I don't mean to be disrespectful BUT, if you have to ask on the forum, it might be better (on a rally or meet perhaps) to get someone to show you?

 

[PP Bear]

tyres are replacable, always drive to somewhere safe and use 2 forms of mechanical aid....

That’s exactly what I did and took the hit with the damage to the wheel rim, but nothing that couldn’t be dressed and certainly wouldn’t effect tyre issues.

 

[PP Bear]

Even though I have a spare wheel i wouldn't be jacking it up in a on the road situation. I'd be calling breakdown and they can fit my spare for me.

I have changed it once when I had a slow puncture so I waited until I was parked up somewhere suitable and I took my time to change it slowly and safely just to save me the hassle of calling out breakdown.

I drove mine as flat as a pancake, better to be safe than sorry

 

[the1andonly]

L' Hobo no disrespect! I understand what you mean when i come across some electrical questions. Sometimes there are occassions when you might know the obvious but it is the "world class" (or enlightened) solution you are looking for. Never be afraid to ask. Its an X290 cab so probably vertualy identical to your X250

 

[L' Hobo]

L' Hobo no disrespect! I understand what you mean when i come across some electrical questions. Sometimes there are occassions when you might know the obvious but it is the "world class" (or enlightened) solution you are looking for. Never be afraid to ask. Its an X290 cab so probably vertualy identical to your X250

If it's electrical, I'll probably be the one asking the question!

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[3crispies]

Did trial run with factory jack, or am I missing something doesn't go high enough or have weinsberg forgot a piece of 4x4..

 

[Landy Andy]

I don’t like the angle that the scissor jack has ended up at.

 

[L' Hobo]

Did trial run with factory jack, or am I missing something doesn't go high enough or have weinsberg forgot a piece of 4x4..



View attachment 866529

View attachment 866530

I think you are forgetting that, if you had a puncture, the vehicle body would be 6" lower, but your right, most of us carry a block of wood. (Come in handy to light the fire while you're waiting for the tyre man if nothing else?

 

[gus-lopez]

As I have said before it would never occur to me that any sort of flat tyre was a 'breakdown' ?
Similar to running out of fuel.

How about an air jack. Connects ti the exhaust pipe.

View attachment 862538

Used to very popular 40 years ago.19,99 if I remember rightly

 

[3crispies]

I don’t like the angle that the scissor jack has ended up at.

yeah agreed that is why main weight was on trolley jack. Good job we had a trial being nearly new wheels were seized to hubs and no idea what torque nuts some nuts were but 1/2" rattle gun struggled. Surely though the jack is not fit for purpose.

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[3crispies]

I think you are forgetting that, if you had a puncture, the vehicle body would be 6" lower, but your right, most of us carry a block of wood. (Come in handy to light the fire while you're waiting for the tyre man if nothing else?

agreed but surely when you refit tyre it would be like picture, which means we would be on side of the road motorhome balanced on a jack and spare still not fitting. Strange how some spend £70-80K on a motorhome and have to carry a block of wood to change a wheel.