smurf wrote: After over 20 years as a shop Foreman and changing hundreds of bent axles ,YOU NEVER JACK ON THE AXLE TUBE !!!!!!ALWAYS ON THE FRAME !!!!The camber is set at the factory . I have never seen a bent spindle . The axlesmost often bend outside of the spring hangers . Most often from hitting a curb or pot holes at high speed . Remember all axle tubes are the same the spindle and bearing sizes determine the axle rating and some are just a different composite of the brake shoes .
I have four different trailers including a RV and the axle tubes are 3 different OD's and ID's.
Bent spindles/axle stubs are common with heavy commercial trailers on construction sites dragging equipment around.
As far as not jacking under the axle tubes it is your recommendation and is a shop option as most flat tire road jobbers that I have used jacked from the axle or the U bolt or both axles on the same side on a heavy trailer using a axle lift beam.
Jim
'03 2500 Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs
'97 Park Avanue 28' with two slides
on your first stop on the first trip jump out and feel the temperature of the tires. The heat will tell you if you got one or more scuffing. You got to look at the het differential, since all will be quite warm.
There are few discussions that have more disagreements as where to jack a trailer. Amazing that there does not seem to be a consensus about this. It seems that you need to get it pretty high if you jack from the frame but there are valid points about axle damage.
I was referring only to trailer axles 3500# to 8000# axles .
Truck and heavy equipment trailers are another ball game .
If you check an axle you will find the spindle is not bent . The axle tube is bent at the end of the the spindel stub ,
2004 GMC HD 4x4 Douramax with Allison transmission loaded.
20005 36ft. Everest W/ 4 slides loaded.
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