Trailer jack
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11479
Printed Date: 28 Jun 2025 at 1:42am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Trailer jack
Posted By: IL-Podders
Subject: Trailer jack
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2018 at 8:30pm
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I have been traveling with a jack I saved from my 1976 IH Scout. I figured that it would be good to have in case I needed to change a flat tire while on the road. Luckily that never happened since while repacking for an up coming trip, I found that it was too tall. What does everyone else carry for roadside emergencies? Will be heading out to buy something in the next few days. Thanks ------------- Marv-N-Kathy 2015 179 RPod 2016 Chevy Tahoe |
Replies:
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2018 at 8:43pm
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I got a very small floor jack rated at 2 tons. It is https://www.walmart.com/ip/2-Ton-Blackjack-Trolley-Jack-with-Lug-Wrench/390422600 - similar to this one , except mine did not come with the lug wrench.I carry it in a plastic bin in the bed of my truck. It could travel in the R-Pod, and had before we got the truck. I also made a block which I use so that I am putting the pressure on the mounting frame for the axle and not on the axle tube (a big no-go). There is a picture in my mods but I don't remember which page. It is two pieces of 2x6 screwed together and then cut so it fits around the axle tube and also the wire harness that runs along the axle. I got this when I bent the scissors jack from our previous Ford Escape trying to jack up the 'Pod. It was too much for it. The hydraulic jack takes some effort, but it is low enough to go under and still leave room for my jacking block. I don't know if it would do well on soft ground, but on my concrete driveway, it performs well. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 5:13am
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+1 also use the small floor jack, 2x6's easy to use and easy to store/carry ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Ghosthawk
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 6:29am
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I have 4 small floor jacks, one new from Harbor Freight, other 3 salvaged from curbside during clean up week. Added oil and yes they all worked. 2x4's 2x6's and 4x4 chunks I have plenty of. Figured I'd take onee of my wifes least loved grocery sacks (she likes the folding cloth kind with a bottom) Put together a little kit. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 9:21am
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We carry a small bottle jack. Had to use it once, worked fine. I did have to run the flat up on a lego to get the jack under. No issue. I carry legos anyways.
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Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 1:25pm
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: IL-Podders
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 1:47pm
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Thanks everyone. As per Stephen's suggestion I went to Walmart and found a 2 ton Jack that will fit under the RP and for $5 more it came in a hard plastic carrying case. Got out of there for $30. One more thing off my list before we head for Banff. Thanks again for all the great advice. ------------- Marv-N-Kathy 2015 179 RPod 2016 Chevy Tahoe |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 10:06pm
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Like furpod I too carry a small bottle jack, 3 ton, that tucks away nicely. I also carry in a box in my truck a "+" lug wrench because the lug nuts are torqued at 100 ft. pd. That's allot of torque on a lug nut to try to break free and am now considering simplifying by buying a cheap breaker bar from HF and appropriate socket. ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 10:13pm
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I already pack a torque wrench and a breaker bar with appropriate sockets. Beside the lug nuts, I will need to check the torque on the U bolts in the Hensley Cub hitch I bought which specify to check that they are torqued to 45 ft-lbs.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Ghosthawk
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2018 at 7:04am
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I bought one of the Chrome 4 way lug wrench's from HF once I had commited to the trailer. Just seemed like a good tool to have. I also have sockets, impact sockets, etc. But a good lug wrench and a 4 foot piece of PVC pipe for a cheater bar makes life easy.Only use it to take off, never on. |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2018 at 9:34am
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We use a modestly priced torque wrench with a socket that fits the lug nuts (the same size as a spark plug socket). To check the torque it is super quick: just put the wrench on each lug nut, push to the click on the wrench and in less than a minute, all the lug nuts are torqued to spec's. And it takes up almost no space in the back storage area. I also cary the sockets that fit the Fastway E2 hitch so it's easy to check them too. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: SC for Huskers
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2018 at 4:48pm
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60 plus years of changing tires at home and Dad's service station, never used a torque wrench. Have to say really don't use an impact either. Why must we use one on a Rpod? Thanks in advance.
------------- Happy Traveling, Tom 2017 172pod 2011 F150 STX |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2018 at 4:53pm
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2018 at 4:54pm
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Well they have a torque spec. For years I worked in my Dad's repair business and I like you did it all by hand. I started torqueing when disc brakes became the norm on vehicles. Today I guess I just follow the specs, not a big deal to me. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2018 at 5:54pm
There is also a difference between the steel wheels most cars used to have and the alloy wheels on a lot of the newer cars and on the R-Pods. The coefficient of expansion between the steel brake drums and studs is different than that of the alloy. It could potentially cause them to become loose. The last thing one would want is to be passed by one of the trailer tires going down the highway.  Using a Torque Wrench helps ensure the lug nuts are neither too tight nor too loose, but just right.  ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Tom A
Date Posted: 05 May 2018 at 6:35am
| A newbie here, but what about using the leveling jacks that are built in to the camper? Too much weight? |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 05 May 2018 at 7:10am
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The stabilizers really aren't jacks. They won't lift the weight and they are in a very wrong place for lifting. They will bend the frame before they'll lift a tire enough to change it. And it will take a lot of effort to get anywhere close to that point. The stabilizers are only for stabilizing. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: Tom A
Date Posted: 05 May 2018 at 8:08am
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Thank you! I suspected that. I have a lot to learn that is not spelled out anywhere because an owner's manual is not a feature of these apparently.
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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 05 May 2018 at 8:23am
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Tom A - get a 2-3 inch binder and start gathering info, granted you can collect and store on numerous devices, but I like having a printed something. The info is all out there, just time consuming to find and collect. This forum has a lot of data, and one member Techntrk has done some outstanding work collecting data for an owners manual. Granted changes every so often. I don't go anywhere without my binder. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Tom A
Date Posted: 05 May 2018 at 8:59am
| Yeah, I agree with have stuff like this in PRINt form. |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 05 May 2018 at 9:13am
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+ 1 we have made a binder like that, it travels in the pod just in case. We also made a binder on a lot of the camp grounds other members have given tips on. Use google earth for a birds eye photo and then a printout of the web page with the campground map. Helps a lot for making plans................................and finding good fishing locations. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 05 May 2018 at 11:03am
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |