Which axle stands

[RichardandKaren]

Hi all - I am new to motor homing and have been reading about the need to grease my al-ko rear axle. I believe it is best done with the wheels off the ground to ensure that the grease penetrates to all the correct places. My question is this - I have two 2 tonnes rated axles stands which I use for my cars. My van weighs circa 3,100 Kg so will my stands be Ok just to lift the rear end ( assuming that not all the van's weight is therefore being lifted) or do I have to buy stands that are rated over 3 tons?

 

[pappajohn]

2 tons per stand should be adequate.
The 2 ton rating is the safe working load (SWL) and will probably take more but as you will be under the van I would take extra precautions such as wide wooden blocks under the wheels so if it should slip or the stands fail it will land on the blocks, not on you.
Don't forget to securely chock the front wheels as well.

 

[jockaneezer]

Get the wife to do it.

 

[Techno]

Good advice from John
You do not need both wheels off the ground at once! each side is separate, just unweight the one being greased.

 

[RichardandKaren]

Thanks for the help

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[autorouter]

Check the rating of your axle stands. All the ones I've seen are rated PER PAIR. So single stand of '2 tonnes' rated pair will take 1 tonne only.

The rear axle usually carries more than half of the MH weight, so for a 3100 kg it's likely to be carrying nearly 2 tonnes.

You do not need both wheels off the ground at once! each side is separate, just unweight the one being greased.

If you are only supporting one side at a time, the stand will be pushing up with more than half of the axle load. You'll notice the bodywork above the other wheel rising a bit as you jack up one side. That's because the jack is also taking some weight off the suspension on the opposite side. A similar thing will happen at the front wheel on the same side as the jack.

Think of it like this. Imagine a heavy table with a leg at each corner. If you lift one corner, you are lifting half the weight of the table. The opposite corner takes half the weight as well. The other two legs are off the ground and carry no weight.

In my opinion, a single stand from a '2 tonne' pair will not be strong enough to lift the rear corner of a 3100 kg MH.

Of course if the stands are rated 2 tonnes each, they will be fine.

 

[Gromett]

@RichardandKaren

I bought these;
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000WTHL42/?tag=mhf04-21

They are 3T per stand 6T total and only £15.93

Used them quite a few times to change engine oil, gearbox oil, diesel tank and welding. @Wildbill approved of them as well so that is a good sign.

Highly recommended.

They also do a 6T per stand set for £22.59.

 

[Gromett]

I also bought 2 sets of these wheel chocks;

Nice and compact, bit pricey at around £10 a set but fit nicely in my toolbox so very happy with them.

 

[RichardandKaren]

Thanks all - think I'll get those updated ones as suggested. Not expensive and far better to be safe than sorry!