jack up Airstream?

[airedale]

Is there a better known way to jack up an Airstream trailer to raise all four wheels than the factory way of two jack stands at the extreme rear end and the electric tongue jack?



Any suggestions that work will be greatly appreciated.



(1999 31' classic Airstream)





1995 3500



USN 1941-1972

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I'm sure you meant two at the rear and one at the front



But, you reminded me of the story about the hillbilly who put one bumper jack in the center of the front bumper, and one at the center of the rear bumper, jacked up his car to work on it. Of course it fell off the jacks. [true story, believe it or not]



I'd prefer to have jacks closer to the center, under the frame so as to reduce risk of bending the frame. Probably ideal would be to support the trailer at the axle mount system where it contacts the frame at the front and rearmost places, then put additional jacks at the tongue and rear areas for better stability.

 

[HBarlow]

Every Airstream I've owned (four) or seen has a 4" square plate of thin aluminum with an "X" in the center attached to the frame just behind the rear axle on each side. The owner's manual tells you this is the recommended jacking or lift point. It is apparently also the balance point, front to rear, when the hitch jack is supporting the tongue. It is also the jacking point prescribed in an old Airstream factory service manual I obtained when a local Airstream dealer went out of business.



I have always placed a chunk of 2" by 4" block in the saddle of my floor jack and gently raised it against the frame, being very careful to align the wood block lengthwise, under the frame rail, not against the belly skin on either side of the frame. After lifting the trailer off the ground at the lift point, I always slip a stack of two concrete blocks padded by a wood block as close to the jack as possible and then transfer the weight to the concrete blocks. I also then support it fore and aft with either jack stands padded by wood blocks or concrete blocks, also padded with wood blocks.



I had to replace the water tank on the 34' triple axle I previously owned so I lifted it on both sides, as previously explained, then placed concrete blocks at four points on each side, at the rear, at the front, and in front of and behind the axles. It had to remain suspended for several days so I wanted to ensure I didn't bend the frame or warp any side sheet panels. It was still scary crawling around under the monster but it held securely and didn't warp the frame or panels.



Harvey

 

[airedale]

Thank you gents for the helpful information.



The only factory indicated jack lift points were 7 1\2 ft aft of the 2 axles.



I'm going to lift it at four points close to the axles and use the electric jack to stabilize the front end, jackstand on the rear, which is what both of you suggested.



Airedale

 

[Bill Stockard]

I've previously owned 2 Airstreams and used methods similar to Harvey when lifting them off the floor. I "padded" the floor jack and the jack stands with wood blocks being careful not to damage the aluminum under belly skin. I lifted them at the designated spots marked by the "X" with no apparent problems.



Bill

 

[HBarlow]

Hey Airdale,



It's none of my business, it's your Airstream, but are you sure you're not missing the factory designated jack pads? The jacking point is only about 12" - 18" behind the rear axle on all Airstreams, single, double, or triple axles.



Are you a retired master chief, warrant, or LDO?



Harvey

Retired Master Chief Submariner

USN 1960 - 1987