Jacks

[Burnsy]

I'm not sure if there is a thread on this already but I've been meaning to mention it. Last time we went away I used the scissor jack to lift the wheels (one at a time) so I could put my levelling ramps under, I thought we were level enough but felt worse than indicated on the bubble. Anyway those jacks are really hard work and ended up using a 12" shifter on the jack instead of the flimsy handle that feels like its going to twist and break, something you don't realise until you need to use it.
I think I'll be adding a hydraulic jack, maybe one of those jacks that replace the jockey wheel....not keen to struggle again!

 

[hamish22]

I always take a trolley jack with me for those situations!

 

[Xpandafan]

The voice of experience once again . Thanks for timely reminder. Have just added "check jack" to my list.
Haven't even tried the Expanda's jack since axles were underslung. Similar FlamingoOB jack always left a bit to be desired. Sometimes we don't notice the bleeding obvious until we're miles from home.

 

[achjimmy]

Anyone tried those 12v scissor jacks?

 

[Gibbo]

Thats funny my 2005 flamingo came with a bottle jack which I have used a few times with no problem, I guess my expanda which I am currently waiting for will have the scissor jack, looks like a cost cutting measure by Jayco

 

[achjimmy]

Hey Burnsy it's a double dip for you mate because those bloody Pajero jacks are useless too. I reckons an alloy trolley jack might be the go.

 

[Burnsy]

Hey Burnsy it's a double dip for you mate because those bloody Pajero jacks are useless too. I reckons an alloy trolley jack might be the go.

Actually I used it on the weekend to change a wheel after picking up a bloody screw, I found the bottle jack pretty good!

 

[Xpandafan]

Actually I used it on the weekend to change a wheel after picking up a bloody screw, I found the bottle jack pretty good!

...And probably a bloody LC200 screw at that!

 

[achjimmy]

Actually I used it on the weekend to change a wheel after picking up a bloody screw, I found the bottle jack pretty good!

Mine was terrible, unstable as, Better when used with a base board. I know a fair few on the Paj forum had them fail too.

 

[achjimmy]

...And probably a bloody LC200 screw at that!

ha ha Toyotas arn't like Nissans

 

[achjimmy]

Funny story about screws, as you may know I built a shed a few months ago? I have also been parking the cruiser in there. Anyway one day I find this broken metric 8mm fine thread bolt on the floor near the middle of the cruiser. Didnt think a lot of it straight away but a couple of days later I am under the cruisers bonnet and notice a bolt with the same head! Now I am thinking where the $&@) did this come from. Spent a good hour underneath and looking around where the suspension that would have been changed/undone etc but found nothing, Had to leave it.

A week later I am pulling up the rear roller door and find another the same at the foot of the track and the track loose! It was the self drilling 8mm bolts that held the rail on that had broken! What are the chances the heads would have similar/same markings as some Toyota bolts? Replaced with 8mm HT bolts now.

 

[Burnsy]

Hmmmm, maybe they are using self drilling screws in Toyotas now as well!

 

[gspy4u]

bought a supercheap Hydraulic Bottle Jack on the weekend, 4,000kg and with there 20% off thingy got it for $48. Nice and easy lifting each wheel now and fits in the hatch too.

 

[Peter D]

I broke the tab off the jayco jack when I was re-greasing the bearings. The handle twisted, but it was the tab (with the hole in it for the handle) that broke off. My fault I guess, turning the handle at an angle to the jack, putting too much pressure on the tab.

I welded it back on, but I'm glad I carry a spare jack with me in the car - don't know how much to trust my welding.

 

[bigcol]

I remember checking my brakes earlier this year on the Flamingo, and I was using the Van jack
turning and turning, now I have a lovely twisted bar as it was way too flimsy for what it had to do
now there is a 2T trolley jack in the front of the New one.........

cheers

 

[Brad]

Thanks Burnsy. This is one of those items you only curse for the few times you use it.
bottle jack is on the list. :thumb:

 

[Soaring]

In the imortal words of Pauline Hanson, "Please Explain"
I figure I should be excused for a dumb question given Im a caravan newby, but why do you need to jack the van up to get the levelling ramps under. Don't you just roll up onto them? Or was the van already in place and disconnected for car and a tweek to level was required?
With my old soft floor camper, i just wound the stab arms to level things up. Ramps are new to me.
thining about it a little more, whats the procedure for using ramps with a duel axle? I assume a ramp is requried under each wheel.....

 

[Burnsy]

Hey Soaring, yeah mate normally done as you say, but I was unhitched and set up. The bubble looked pretty close on the level before I unhitched but it felt worse inside and got the better of me!

 

[bigman0510]

Hey Soaring, yeah mate normally done as you say, but I was unhitched and set up. The bubble looked pretty close on the level before I unhitched but it felt worse inside and got the better of me!

I have had to do the same.... the jack worked ok for me though.

 

[straydingo]

bought a supercheap Hydraulic Bottle Jack on the weekend, 4,000kg and with there 20% off thingy got it for $48. Nice and easy lifting each wheel now and fits in the hatch too.

I've been using the Supercheap bottle for a while too. Reasonable height (430mm) at reasonable price
I still carry the scissor but only ever use it on the A-frame when the site slopes up so much that I can't drop it on the jockey wheel enough - hold it with the jack, move the jockey and drop it down again.....