Does one need to carry the jack?

[Ingwe]

Just had two lithium batteries fitted under the passenger’s seat. To do so, the fitter removed the Peugeot jack and tools stored in a plastic case under the seat. Weighs a ton!

Anyway, I was wondering if one is actually obliged to carry a jack. If we had a flat tyre I don‘t think I’d risk jacking up the van with what looks like a slightly oversized car scissor jack. I’d call the R.A.C. (or whatever) and presumably, they’d have a proper trolley jack and large wheel brace to change the tyre. But i wondered whether there was some regulation or law mandating us to carry a jack of we have a spare. Be good to ditch this heavy item.

 

[Kybod]

I would say yes . I had a blow out on the M5 and called the breakdown insurance (Well established motorhome ins company) . The AA turned out to me stranded on the hard shoulder, however his mid sized trolley jack wasn't able to lift the motorhome high enough to get the wheel off. We ended up using my Peugeot scissor jack to get the job done.
The recovery companies are set up for cars.
Mike

 

[KUSKUS]

I don't carry a jack , not aware of any regulations regarding carrying a jack.
I have a spare wheel and have AA cover through Comfort.
I tried removing the wheels from my 4.6 tonne Hymer on the drive and even with a reasonable wheel brace was unable to release the wheel nuts. I now carry a 30 inch breaker bar but still no jack.

 

[Mr B]

I’ve got rid of my standard (not fit for purpose scissor jack IMO)
I carry a 10 ton bottle jack… Ok I’ve got breakdown and a underslung spare, but if it’s safe to do so, I’ll do the change over myself while I’m fit and able

 

[Ingwe]

Just following this thread. Lots to read. So far, seems a jack is not a legal requirement. Split views on whether the supplied jack is fit for purpose. Will read on.

Do you carry a jack?

I've had a coachbuilt MH for the past 5years and during that time the jack and tools have remained firmly in their storage compartment under the passenger seat. Think I opened the hatch twice once when I took delivery and again before I sold it. I got my new A-Class on Wednesday and the jack...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

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[Kybod]

I’ve got rid of my standard (not fit for purpose scissor jack IMO)
I carry a 10 ton bottle jack… Ok I’ve got breakdown and a underslung spare, but if it’s safe to do so, I’ll do the change over myself while I’m fit and able

This reminds me of another blow out, this time on the A1.
I had called the breakdown company but in the meantime the police turned up and then closed the road knowing I would change the wheel myself, including crawling underneath to get the spare. Honestly 100s of irate drivers turn you into F1 mechanic mode very quickly.
I have hopefully sorted my issues with tyres.

 

[Monty777]

I carry a small trolley jack I got from ‘Machine Mart’, the Hymer came with the standard Fiat scissor jack-horrible things, that now lives in my garage at home, I have an extending wheelbrace which again came from ‘Machine Mart’ for about £15.00-I am now waiting for a spare wheel to arrive so I will be self sufficient in case of a puncture. I know people will say that tyre failure is very rare on modern vehicles but I have had problems with all 3 Motorhome’s I have owned over the last 20 years so better safe than stranded.

 

[makems]

After a blow out on a Spanish motorway I called breakdown services and discussed withem the need to send a breakdown truck with equipment for changing a tyre As I had a spare on board.
the low loader arrived without a jack so we had to be recovered to the nearest town which was some30odd minutes away to get the wheel changed.
if I had had a jack on board we would have saved ourselves a lot of time.

 

[Chris]

I would say yes . I had a blow out on the M5 and called the breakdown insurance (Well established motorhome ins company) . The AA turned out to me stranded on the hard shoulder, however his mid sized trolley jack wasn't able to lift the motorhome high enough to get the wheel off. We ended up using my Peugeot scissor jack to get the job done.
The recovery companies are set up for cars.
Mike

That’s my experience too.

 

[Tea Bag]

Hi.
Scissor or hydraulic.A jack has many uses when/if push comes to shove.Would not be without one. Plus the fact,whenever i have spent three days looking for something,the last resort of opening the jack box often reveals where the " something " is hiding.............
Tea Bag

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[Orion]

What rating trolley jack would funsters advise for a 3500kg Moho?

 

[Stealaway]

I only carry the towing eye now.

 

[Coolcats]

Just had two lithium batteries fitted under the passenger’s seat. To do so, the fitter removed the Peugeot jack and tools stored in a plastic case under the seat. Weighs a ton!

Anyway, I was wondering if one is actually obliged to carry a jack. If we had a flat tyre I don‘t think I’d risk jacking up the van with what looks like a slightly oversized car scissor jack. I’d call the R.A.C. (or whatever) and presumably, they’d have a proper trolley jack and large wheel brace to change the tyre. But i wondered whether there was some regulation or law mandating us to carry a jack of we have a spare. Be good to ditch this heavy item.

No the breakdown service always has one, we do not carry the Jack and our MoHo like many does not have a spare tyre. Opinions vary but when was the last time you saw a HGV driver change their own wheel !

 

[Two on Tour]

We carry 4 hydraulic jacks, .... one on each corner of our van.

 

[Lenny HB]

No the breakdown service always has one, we do not carry the Jack and our MoHo like many does not have a spare tyre. Opinions vary but when was the last time you saw a HGV driver change their own wheel !

Last year, seen loads of them do often another lorry will pull up and help them. Seen it a lot with Polish & Romanian drivers.

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[Lenny HB]

What rating trolley jack would funsters advise for a 3500kg Moho?

5 ton, 2 ton ones struggle leaver is not long enough and can't get the height.

 

[Lenny HB]

I always carry Jack and a torque wrench.
The Fiat jack is fine if used correctly, used it loads of times.

 

[Ingwe]

Thanks for all the helpful replies and opinions. We have a spare tyre but I think I’ll trust in the rescue services for their jack. Like Stealaway I’ll take the towing eye with us.
Oh yeah, and pray to the Tyre God!

 

[Coolcats]

Last year, seen loads of them do often another lorry will pull up and help them. Seen it a lot with Polish & Romanian drivers.

And even more with a professional breakdown service

 

[wp1234]

Another good reason to fit auto levellers , you can leave the jack at home

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[Stealaway]

Another good reason to fit auto levellers , you can leave the jack at home

I thought the OP was trying to reduce the weight of the van

 

[Stealaway]

I would say yes . I had a blow out on the M5 and called the breakdown insurance (Well established motorhome ins company) . The AA turned out to me stranded on the hard shoulder, however his mid sized trolley jack wasn't able to lift the motorhome high enough to get the wheel off. We ended up using my Peugeot scissor jack to get the job done.
The recovery companies are set up for cars.
Mike

I'm sure if you tell them it's a 3.5 tonnes + van they would have sent a suitable recovery vehicle

 

[joe and sue]

We carry 4 hydraulic jacks, .... one on each corner of our van.

Show off !!!!

 

[Tony50]

I have a Bottle jack and i converted the top to fit correctly under vehicle ,as Lenny said if the Fiat Jack is used correctly it's ok, I would add chock the a wheels or wheels , if possible if not on hill and on levellish ground I settle the vehicle by releasing the Handbrake so it settles against chocks /chocks then REapply Handbrake. then position Jack and proceed with extreme caution, I have seen a jack topple from under a truck with it's N/S/R wheel removed and the Fitter was lucky he did not have his legs crushed , scared him and me .

 

[ivorantony]

Always carry a 3 ton bottle jack and extending breaker bar, have been changing wheels all my life and have no intention of waiting for someone to do it for me if needed,
Additional the bottle jack can be used with suitable packing to get you out of a bogged down situation,

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[joe and sue]

I carry a 3 ton bottle jack and axle stands for added safety,Luckily we have the room and capacity being a tag axle

 

[TCG]

We carry 4 hydraulic jacks, .... one on each corner of our van.

ha ha +1

 

[pappajohn]

What rating trolley jack would funsters advise for a 3500kg Moho?

5 ton minimum.

 

[Kybod]

I'm sure if you tell them it's a 3.5 tonnes + van they would have sent a suitable recovery vehicle

I did tell them it was a motorhome (3200 kgs) and they also knew what it was when i made the call. I'm sure, given my predicament they will have sent the nearest available unit and it was a Ford transit AA patrol van that turned up.
It wasn't the weight capacity of the jack that was the problem but its ability to lift the vehicle high enough off the ground. We did what was expediant to get us out of a potentially dangerous situation, rather than wait.
I'm quite capable of changing a wheel by myself, but given the situation i was wary of doing it by myself and wanted the reassurance of another person helping.

 

[PP Bear]

I would never ever travel without the jack. I’ve also brought myself a breaker bar to tackle the wheel nuts, which has a dedicated socket fitted as well, along with 2 collapsable axle stands.

They all take up very little room and would be a real life saver should the need ever arise.

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