Small trolley jack? (1 Viewer)

Northerner

Free Member
Nov 29, 2010
208
0
Lancashire
Funster No
14,576
Exp
5
I'm considering buying a small trolley jack as it must be easier to use than the scissor jack that comes with my 'van. Presumably lifting a corner of a 3.5 ton 'van does not require a jack that will lift 3.5 tons? Will I be OK with something like this?

Link Removed

Thanks.
 

grumps147

LIFE MEMBER
Jun 6, 2010
1,838
2,442
St.Helens
Funster No
11,938
MH
Between
Exp
MH 12 yrs -Tent/Caravan 49 years
I'm considering buying a small trolley jack as it must be easier to use than the scissor jack that comes with my 'van. Presumably lifting a corner of a 3.5 ton 'van does not require a jack that will lift 3.5 tons? Will I be OK with something like this?

Link Removed

Thanks.

I used to drive a big van, which had similar sized wheels and a scissor jack. Part of the familiarisation with all the gizmos and electronics inside was also to try and change the spare. I did it in a garage with no wind or rocking from passing HGV's.
It frightened me to death.

We arranged with our fleet manager that if we got a puncture a tyre company would come out.

Its less to do with the type of jack, though I would prefer a hydraulic any time, but the movement. As well as any jack I would use an axle stand now on my motorhome (must put one in the locker).

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

haganap

LIFE MEMBER
Dec 5, 2007
12,711
25,974
planet earth
Funster No
974
MH
Carthago C Tourer
Exp
I'm an oldbie MH number 9
I purchased a small but adeqautely rated bottle jack that it easy to store and much easier to use. I have used it to good effect
 

Douglas

Free Member
Aug 22, 2008
2,835
400
South Wales,
Funster No
3,779
Exp
6 years + 5 years in boat before that
I use a very similar jack on my MH with no problems, also LIDL have a 3 tone trolley for 14 or ÂŁ15 but rush as it may have been last weeks offer.

Doug...
 
OP
OP
N

Northerner

Free Member
Nov 29, 2010
208
0
Lancashire
Funster No
14,576
Exp
5
I purchased a small but adeqautely rated bottle jack that it easy to store and much easier to use. I have used it to good effect

Thank you. This is the sort of information I was hoping to get. Any more advice on the advantages and disadvantages of a trolley jack or bottle jack will be appreciated.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Landy lover

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 11, 2009
2,296
5,928
Zummerzet
Funster No
7,453
MH
27ft Eurolight
Exp
Camping Caravaning now 5'ering 49 years
Thank you. This is the sort of information I was hoping to get. Any more advice on the advantages and disadvantages of a trolley jack or bottle jack will be appreciated.

If you are on unstable ground it can sometimes be difficult to get something like a block of wood to fit under a trolley jack where as a good bottle jack is easier - personally I would invest in a few strong pieces of plywood for a base and a good 3 tonne bottle jack just make sure it is low enough when closed so that it goes under the axle OK with a flat tyre
 
Feb 25, 2008
232
96
Barril da Alva, Portugal
Funster No
1,605
MH
Caravan
Exp
on and off for the whole of my existance
trolley or bottle

Hi,
I have used both types of jacks to almost destruction.

I say almost, because i have destroyed trolley jacks but not bottle jacks.

Trolley jacks are very good for stability, but, they are also there own worse enemy. They do need very flat smooth ground to work on as they need to roll to compensate for the jack lifting on an arc. They also take up an amazingly large amount of space.

A bottle jack is in my eyes a much more practicle jack, It takes up less space, and is almost as stable when used on hard surface. And i have yet to destroy one as there is no frame to twist.
:thumb:


A land rover discovery botle jack is a two part telescopic one. is very short when down but does lift up a long way. also well with in the lifting capabilities needed for a 3.5 ton motorhome
 

Terry

LIFE MEMBER
Dec 27, 2007
11,904
8,969
Lincolnshire
Funster No
1,075
MH
A class
Exp
Can't remember ;)
BOTTLE JACK FOR US twisted a 2 ton trolley jack with surprising ease :Eeek:plus it was hard to pump up

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

scotjimland

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 25, 2007
2,086
9,025
Suffolk Coastal District, UK
Funster No
15
MH
Timberland
Agree with upmarkethippy.

trolley great for the workshop on a smooth floor, bottle much better for emergency use.

I have a 5.0 ton bottle which I used to change the wheels on an 8.5 t RV

but as already advised, check the axle clearance before buying.. bearing in mind with a flat tyre you have a lot less clearance.
 

Sundowners

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 30, 2007
3,289
3,571
Suffolk/Central Portugal
Funster No
744
MH
A class
Exp
37 years
I have destroyed bottle jacks BUT only by lifting at just above their rated capacity-----buy one with some safety margin---------they are small, light and very good--------------make sure when not being used that they have the ram and pump plunger right in----so that the shiney bits dont rust:thumb: and pick up a couple of ply pads------which can also be used for levelling
Nigel
BTW-------IF you were unable to get jack under suitable jack point----drive onto your levelling block to lift that wheel

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Scotties

LIFE MEMBER
Sep 23, 2008
438
316
Norfolk
Funster No
4,145
MH
Hymer
Exp
Since 2006
Clever Sundowners, I've never managed to operate the trolley jack once under the back axle. Although if by a main road trying to roll onto a ramp (esp if the tyre is down) might be a little taxing,:Doh:

Richard
 

JJ

Mágica
May 1, 2008
19,230
47,725
Quinta Majay, Pinheiro Bordalo, Portugal
Funster No
2,459
MH
Burstner Privilege T
Exp
over 50 years
I am with Upmarkethippy and Haganap on this matter...

Given the rare times I actually had to change a wheel "on the road" I changed from a trolley jack to a bottle jack to save space (a decision that was helped when my trolley jack was nicked...)

JJ
 
Mar 26, 2009
8,130
11,168
Yr Wyddgrug
Funster No
6,057
MH
Hymer B678DL
Exp
Since 2009
I don't know the weight of an equivalent bottle jack but the trolley jack I have in the garage is bloody heavy (lifts 2 ton). And due to it having 4 wheels it likes to move around a lot when not stowed safely. It's a MachineMart jack too.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
N

Northerner

Free Member
Nov 29, 2010
208
0
Lancashire
Funster No
14,576
Exp
5
Thanks everyone. It looks like it's going to be a bottle jack. First I need to take some measurements to make sure that it goes low enough and high enough.
 

pudseykeith

Free Member
Nov 5, 2007
382
105
Leeds West Riding of York
Funster No
774
MH
A Class
Exp
6 Years
Hi. A bottle jack as advised by the funsters would be best. An important point though - don,t fully trust anything hydrolic, Always carry a axel stand or something to support the vehicle should the jack malfunction or slip out when you have a wheel off or with you under it or next to it. It is always advised to carry a few stout blocks of wood for hight adjustment or to keep it stable on softish ground.:thumb:
Pudseykeith
 

Douglas

Free Member
Aug 22, 2008
2,835
400
South Wales,
Funster No
3,779
Exp
6 years + 5 years in boat before that
If you can't get you bottle jack under the axial the start it with the scissors the use the bottle, on the way down but something under the wheel for it to sit on and leave room for the bottle jack to out.

Also if your bottle jack has a small contact on the axle carry a small plate of steel as I have seen the axial dented by the pressure.

I have made one that is "U" shaped and had a keeps welded on the bottom to discourage sliding. I also carry a block of wood should the worst happen.


Doug...

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

slobadoberbob

Free Member
Jun 1, 2009
6,151
1,960
Kent, garden of England
Funster No
6,953
MH
Winnebago 23' something
Exp
25 years & counting
me? I use both a bottle and scissor jack

I have both sorts on the RV.. I put the scissor jack under the Reece tow hitch when parked up to give a bit more support the the back end of the RV (Bathroom runs across the back on my Winnibago) and I have the bottle jack 4 tons in case I need it. The scissor Jack is only rated to 1.5 ton so it is used mainly for the tow ball hitch area.. but if need be I can use the two together.

Neither very expensive...came from screwfix direct...

Bob:thumb:
 

haganap

LIFE MEMBER
Dec 5, 2007
12,711
25,974
planet earth
Funster No
974
MH
Carthago C Tourer
Exp
I'm an oldbie MH number 9
My methodology is that I loosen the bolts on the wheel, I then utilise the bottle Jack to lift the wheel. I then have my scissor jack undone to it's nearly full potential thus reducing the difficulties in using it to lift the van (which is hard). Wheel removed I place this underneath the axle just in case,,, on the basis that should anything happen the cost of a replacement wheel will be better than replacig my fingers and alike should the van crash off the jack.

I also have to have a couple of strong wooden blocks to use with the bottle jack as it alone (neither will the scissor) lift the coach built body high enough at the back end to get the rear wheel out. YOU MUST CHECK THIS, VANS DIFFER GREATLY FROM COACHBUILTS.

I also would reccomend ensuring that you have located, unscrewed, and got ready the replacement tyre, This is because on mine it means actually crawling under the van to get it out. :whatthe: not a task to be completed with the van secured on Jacks.

Punctures, are more rare than they used to be but still occur (had two on cars this year:Angry:) and it may be worth carrying some of the newer puncture emergency stuff that they use. Alhtough its yet to be successful when I have used it, (several years ago on motorbikes) I believe the more modern stuff is actually quite good. It may be the difference between you trying to carry the above out on a busy main road and finding a safe place to stop and attend to the job safely.

I have used my Jack for different reasons. Mainly when skiing and not being able to drive on to ramps to level the van. I have jacked up, slid ramps underneath and bingo. I have used on some very bizzarre sufaces. with great success :thumb:

This isn't advice, merely how I complete mine. (disclaimer):winky:
 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top