Jiffy Jack

[bigtiller]

Has anyone used one or something similar to jack up a tandem axle trailer? I'm thinking of ordering one just in-case I have a flat someday.

Jiffy Jack | Hitches Online

 

[Bigfoot62]

A couple pieces of treated 2x6" will work just fine. And it won't cost $100.

 

[bigtiller]

There is one for sale on Craigslist, that is what brought up the question. Your idea was my first thought after I seen a price list from the company that makes them.

i'm still wondering if they work a as good as advertised.

 

[Bigfoot62]

Don't know how that overpriced piece of aluminum works, but I would think it would be fine.

I know that the boards work great. Got them in the back of both of my Super Duty's. :thumbsup:

 

[tcreeley]

I just bought a medium size aluminum one for my horse trailer. It is well built. Someone told me that on sandy shoulders they sink a bit - might need some plywood to set them on. I like it because it can double as a jack support under the tongue on soft ground and it is easy to throw in the back of the pickup.

---To use it, you just set it against your good trailer tire (front or rear) (and after you loosened the lug nuts on the bad tire) and then just drive forward or back up. The good tire rolls up on to it, lifting the bad tire up off the ground so you can replace it. Use it instead of a standard jack. - don't have to unload the horses.

 

[Bigfoot62]

1. It is well built. . .
2. Someone told me that on sandy shoulders they sink a bit - might need some plywood to set them on. . .
3. I like it because it can double as a jack support on soft ground and it is easy to throw in the back of the pickup.
4. To use it, you just set it against your good trailer tire (front or rear) (and after you loosened the lug nuts on the bad tire) and then just drive forward or back up. The good tire rolls up on to it, lifting the bad tire up off the ground so you can replace it. Use it instead of a standard jack. . .

1. So is the 2x6, but it doesn't cost $100.
2. The 2x6 doesn't sink too much, and if it does, just stack another one on, and it doesn't cost $100.
3. So is the 2x6, but it doesn't cost $100.
4. Use the 2x6 the same way, but it doesn't cost $100.

Does anybody see the pattern?

If you have the urge to buy one of these, just PM me for my address, send me the $100, and go by the local lumber yard and pick up a couple of short 2x6's.

 

[tcreeley]

View attachment 377012View attachment 377013
There are always different ways to do things. I'm not as flexible as I used to be, I like something easier.
Once I had the bearings on a tire fall apart, the axle heated up and the tire spun off and shot into the bushes. I felt the change. We switched my horse to the other side and drove home the remaining few miles on three wheels. (after retrieving the tire)

-Bigfoot, you're a frugal sort of guy I figure... what's with 3 tractors! -I bet that NH is your favorite, followed by the Ford!

 

[Bigfoot62]

TC,
Just messing with you.

2 of the 3 tractors are mainly for hay production. I have 52 acres of hay meadows that I cut and bale myself. I cut and rake with the NH, cut and bale with the JD. The cab on the JD is really nice for baling.
The Ford mostly just mows the yard. I have a 72" finish mower on it. We've had it for about 30 years now. Still a good tractor.

 

[ENC]

I have a set of ramps that I use when I change my oil. When I'm towing a trailer I try to remember to throw one the back of my truck. Works great. With 2x6s sometimes I this hard to get it started climbing instead of pushing it but it does work also. I would not pay 100 for one of these but you can get a pair of heavy duty polymer ramps with non skid feet at any auto parts store for about $40. I try to also have a chain and ratchet boomer or a small chain hoist or come along in case I throw a bearing or for some reason don't have a spare and can get home on three tires.

 

[Walkin Horse]

These blocks only work on torsion axles. I don't think the op said what he is going to use it on. Also a a scrap 6x6 mitered works also.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would avoid. I have replaced two axles that got bent spindles using this or similar.

If the trailer is loaded it will overload the axle. If you are under the single axles weight limit it would be ok I guess.

Me personally, carry a 12 ton bottle jack. $30 and has never let me down.

Chris

 

[ENC]

They don't need to be torsion axles. You just need to have enough height on the ramp to max out the leaf spring adjustment. Trust me on this I have done it more times than I care to remember.

 

[3930dave]

Trailer Aid - lower cost option that I was looking at this Winter.

Amazon.com: Trailer Aid Tandem Tire Changing Ramp: Automotive

I don't have one, but the reviews look positive. Sounds like they make a taller one for 5'th wheels ?

Diamondpilot has a good point about watching the total loading though....

At the moment, I use a small garage jack, something like this:

2 ton Compact Trolley Jack as it's capacity is adequate for my travel trailer....

Rgds, D.

 

[bcp]

These blocks only work on torsion axles. I don't think the op said what he is going to use it on. Also a a scrap 6x6 mitered works also.

Depends on the trailer. There are reports both ways.

www.ifish.net - View Single Post - Dual axle trailer tire change ramp??????

Bruce

 

[bigtiller]

These blocks only work on torsion axles. I don't think the op said what he is going to use it on. Also a a scrap 6x6 mitered works also.

I forgot to add that. I have torsion axles.

 

[bigtiller]

I would avoid. I have replaced two axles that got bent spindles using this or similar.

If the trailer is loaded it will overload the axle. If you are under the single axles weight limit it would be ok I guess.

Me personally, carry a 12 ton bottle jack. $30 and has never let me down.

Chris

Their own web site says several times to use blocks of wood to verify what size ramp to order. I wonder how many people do that, then find some screws and just screw them together and save a hundred bucks.

 

[JJZ 109]

Trailer Aid - lower cost option that I was looking at this Winter.

Amazon.com: Trailer Aid Tandem Tire Changing Ramp: Automotive

I don't have one, but the reviews look positive. Sounds like they make a taller one for 5'th wheels ?

I have one of these, only it's black in color. It got me back on the road quickly after a blowout on I95 in South Carolina on the return home from Florida this past April. I don't like the thought of hanging around dealing with a jack and the extra time it would have taken on that crazy highway.
It always rides in my business trailer the rest of the year just in case something happens locally.

 

[3930dave]

I have one of these, only it's black in color. It got me back on the road quickly after a blowout on I95 in South Carolina on the return home from Florida this past April. I don't like the thought of hanging around dealing with a jack and the extra time it would have taken on that crazy highway.
It always rides in my business trailer the rest of the year just in case something happens locally.

If you have some cutoff framing material lying around anyway, and a box of screws, it's easy enough to throw something together.

If I was going to buy something, I could live with $30, but not $100, on my budget. Don't get me wrong OP, I like the look of aluminum just fine , and am not trying to tell you how to spend your money.... just adding :2cents: down your way, as we don't have pennies up here anymore !

JJZ got a point, over the years I've changed 2 tires on the side of a high-speed expressway..... every 30 seconds that you don't have to be there has value, at least to me.

Rgds, D.

 

[bigtiller]

If you have some cutoff framing material lying around anyway, and a box of screws, it's easy enough to throw something together.

If I was going to buy something, I could live with $30, but not $100, on my budget. Don't get me wrong OP, I like the look of aluminum just fine , and am not trying to tell you how to spend your money.... just adding :2cents: down your way, as we don't have pennies up here anymore !

JJZ got a point, over the years I've changed 2 tires on the side of a high-speed expressway..... every 30 seconds that you don't have to be there has value, at least to me.

Rgds, D.

Say, there is one way to look at it! The last time I had a flat on the road, or away from home, was 1973. Maybe I don't need one after all.

 

[3930dave]

Say, there is one way to look at it! The last time I had a flat on the road, or away from home, was 1973. Maybe I don't need one after all.

You know how this works all prepared for a problem... it never shows up.... out on the road with no spare and no jack, that's when you blow 2 tires ! Murphy rules......

Smart to plan for the worst..... I know many people who've had blow-outs with relatively new tires. I was glad I started a thread on here when I was shopping for mine, as I've been happy with the Greenball's I bought based on Chris's recommendation.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/229438-decent-non-china-trailer-tires.html

There are some other good choices out there, but even some of the big name brands have had serious problems. The quote I posted from Carlisle this time last year I find rather troubling.

Rgds, D.