How to Lift a Tent Trailer
Most tent trailers are different from boat or utility trailers in that the frame of the trailer is not exposed, but covered over with plywood, fiberglass or aluminum. As such, if, for some reason, the trailer needs to be raised, just inserting a jack under the trailer any old place is likely to damage the covering and would be dangerous to anyone working under the trailer. Follow these steps to lift a trailer safely.
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Things You'll Need
- Jack
- 4 Jack stands
- 4 planks, 2 inch by 6 inch by 3 foot
- 6 planks, 2 inch by 6 inch by 15 inch
- 4 wheel chocks
Instructions
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Lifting procedure
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1
Park trailer on a level area. A paved, level area is better.
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2
Place one wheel chock against the front and rear of each tire to prevent the trailer from rolling.
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3
Disconnect the trailer from the tow vehicle.
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4
Set the jack under one corner of the trailer. If on pavement, the base of the jack can be on the pavement. If on gravel or soil, place at least one of the 15-inch planks under the jack to keep the base from sinking into the ground.
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5
Pile enough 15-inch planks under the jack, with the jack in the fully down position, to elevate the top of the jack to within 2 inches of the bottom of the trailer.
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6
Position the 3-foot long plank at a 45-degree angle under the corner of the trailer so a few inches of the board are extending out past the side of the trailer and past the front, if working on a front corner, or rear if working at a back corner.
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7
Maneuver the jack's location so when it extends, it will push up against the 3-foot plank in the center, near its mid-point.
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8
Work the handle of the jack until the trailer lifts high enough to insert a jack stand under the diagonally placed, 3-foot plank.
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9
Position the jack stand as near to the jack as possible then lower the jack to transfer the weight onto the stand.
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10
Remove jack and 15-inch planks and move to the other side of the trailer. If you started at the left rear, move to the right rear. If you started at the right front corner, move to the left front corner.
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11
Repeat Steps 4 to 9 then move to one of the corners at the opposite end of the trailer, repeating steps 4 to 9 there, then move to the final corner and repeat steps 4 to 9 one more time.
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12
Decide if the trailer is high enough to be able to get under it to do the needed work. If not, add 2 additional 15-inch planks under the jack than you used the first time and again, going corner to corner to corner, jack the trailer a few inches higher, adjust each jack stand up a few inches then replace it. Continue lifting, adjusting the jack stand moving to the next corner, adding more planks under the jack, raising each corner in turn until the trailer is high enough to work under.
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1
Tips & Warnings
A manually operated scissors or type automotive jack will work, but a hydraulic bottle jack will be quicker and easier.
The trailer, supported by jack stands under each corner, should be quite stable. However, the higher the stands are set, the less stable the trailer will be so don't over-elevate.
