How to Jack Up Your Travel Trailer: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Jack Up a Travel Trailer

Travel trailers are a great way to enjoy the outdoors without having to give up the comforts of home. But before you can hit the road, you need to know how to properly jack up your trailer.

In this article, we will discuss the different types of jacks, how to choose the right one for your trailer, and how to safely jack up and level your trailer. We will also provide some tips on how to maintain your jacks so that they are always in good working order.

So whether you’re a seasoned RVer or you’re just getting started, read on for all the information you need to know about jacking up your travel trailer.

Step	Instructions	Image
1	Park your travel trailer on a level surface.
2	Attach the safety chains to the front and rear of your travel trailer.
3	Place the chocks behind the wheels of your travel trailer.
4	Turn on the parking brake.
5	Place the jack under the frame of your travel trailer.
6	Turn the jack handle clockwise until the travel trailer is raised off the ground.
7	Once the travel trailer is raised, you can remove the chocks and safety chains.

How to Jack Up a Travel Trailer

Jacking up a travel trailer is a necessary task for a variety of reasons, including:

• To change a tire
• To perform maintenance on the trailer
• To level the trailer for camping

It is important to follow proper safety precautions when jacking up a travel trailer, as doing so incorrectly can result in serious injury or death.

Safety Precautions

Before jacking up your travel trailer, make sure that the area is level and clear of debris. This will help to prevent the trailer from tipping over or rolling away.

Use a sturdy jack that is rated for the weight of your trailer. The jack should be placed on a solid surface, such as concrete or asphalt. Never place the jack on gravel or soft ground, as this could cause the jack to sink and the trailer to fall.

Never work under a raised trailer. If you need to work under the trailer, lower it to the ground and chock the wheels before getting under it.

Use wheel chocks to prevent the trailer from rolling away. Wheel chocks should be placed behind the front wheels and in front of the rear wheels.

Choosing the Right Jack

The type of jack you need will depend on the weight of your trailer.

For trailers that weigh up to 5,000 pounds, a bottle jack is a good option. Bottle jacks are relatively lightweight and easy to use. They are also relatively affordable.

For trailers that weigh more than 5,000 pounds, a hydraulic jack is a better choice. Hydraulic jacks are more powerful than bottle jacks and can lift heavier loads. However, they are also more expensive and more difficult to use.

Jacking Up the Trailer

Once you have chosen the right jack, you can begin jacking up the trailer.

1. Place the jack under the trailer, near the axle.
2. Turn the crank on the jack to raise the trailer.
3. Continue turning the crank until the trailer is high enough to clear the ground.
4. Place wheel chocks behind the front wheels and in front of the rear wheels.
5. Lower the jack until the trailer is resting on the chocks.

Lowering the Trailer

To lower the trailer, simply reverse the steps above.

1. Turn the crank on the jack to lower the trailer.
2. Continue turning the crank until the trailer is resting on the ground.
3. Remove the wheel chocks.

Jacking up a travel trailer is a relatively simple task, but it is important to follow proper safety precautions to avoid injury or damage to the trailer. By following the steps in this guide, you can safely jack up your travel trailer and perform the necessary maintenance or repairs.

Additional Tips

• When jacking up a travel trailer, it is important to use a jack that is rated for the weight of the trailer. Using a jack that is not rated for the weight of the trailer could result in the jack failing, which could cause the trailer to fall and injure someone.
• Never work under a raised trailer. If you need to work under the trailer, lower it to the ground and chock the wheels before getting under it.
• Use wheel chocks to prevent the trailer from rolling away. Wheel chocks should be placed behind the front wheels and in front of the rear wheels.
• When lowering the trailer, it is important to do so slowly and carefully. If you lower the trailer too quickly, it could cause the trailer to bounce and damage the tires or the trailer itself.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for jacking up and lowering your travel trailer. The manufacturer’s instructions will provide specific information about the type of jack to use, how to position the jack, and how to safely lift and lower the trailer.

By following these tips, you can safely jack up your travel trailer and perform the necessary maintenance or repairs.

Raising the Trailer

To raise the trailer, you will need a trailer jack. Trailer jacks come in a variety of sizes and styles, so you will need to choose one that is appropriate for the weight of your trailer.

Once you have chosen a trailer jack, you will need to follow these steps to raise the trailer:

1. Park the trailer on a level surface.
2. Place the trailer jack under the frame of the trailer, near the center.
3. Turn the crank on the trailer jack until the trailer is level.

Be careful not to raise the trailer too high, as this could damage the tires or suspension. The recommended height for raising a travel trailer is 12 inches.

Lowering the Trailer

To lower the trailer, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Turn the crank on the trailer jack in the opposite direction until the trailer is resting on the ground.
2. Be careful not to lower the trailer too quickly, as this could damage the tires or suspension.

Once the trailer is lowered, you can remove the trailer jack and store it for future use.

Safety Tips

When raising or lowering a travel trailer, it is important to take safety precautions to avoid injury. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind:

• Always wear proper safety gear, such as a hard hat, safety glasses, and gloves.
• Never raise or lower the trailer alone.
• Make sure the trailer is parked on a level surface before raising or lowering it.
• Check the weight capacity of the trailer jack before using it.
• Never exceed the recommended height for raising a travel trailer.
• Be careful not to lower the trailer too quickly.

By following these safety tips, you can help to prevent injuries when raising or lowering a travel trailer.

Raising and lowering a travel trailer is a relatively simple task, but it is important to take safety precautions to avoid injury. By following the steps in this guide, you can safely raise and lower your travel trailer whenever you need to.

How to Jack Up a Travel Trailer

Q: What is the proper way to jack up a travel trailer?

A: To properly jack up a travel trailer, you will need a sturdy jack, chocks, and a level.

1. Park the trailer on a level surface.
2. Place chocks behind the tires on both sides of the trailer.
3. Set the jack under the frame of the trailer, near the center of the axle.
4. Turn the jack handle clockwise to raise the trailer until it is level.
5. Once the trailer is level, place a block of wood under the jack pad to prevent the jack from sinking into the ground.
6. Lower the jack until the trailer is resting on the blocks of wood.

Q: What type of jack should I use to jack up a travel trailer?

A: The best type of jack to use to jack up a travel trailer is a low-profile, electric jack. These jacks are designed specifically for travel trailers and are safe and easy to use.

Q: How high should I jack up a travel trailer?

A: You should only jack up a travel trailer enough to allow you to access the undercarriage for repairs or maintenance. It is important not to jack the trailer up too high, as this could damage the suspension or axles.

Q: What should I do if the trailer starts to tilt while I’m jacking it up?

A: If the trailer starts to tilt while you’re jacking it up, you should immediately stop turning the jack handle and lower the trailer back down. Once the trailer is level, you can try jacking it up again, being more careful not to tilt the trailer.

Q: What are the safety precautions I should take when jacking up a travel trailer?

• Always use a sturdy jack that is rated for the weight of the trailer.
• Never jack up the trailer while people are inside.
• Place chocks behind the tires on both sides of the trailer to prevent it from rolling away.
• Use a level to make sure the trailer is level before working under it.
• Never work under a raised trailer without someone else there to help you.

Q: What are some common mistakes people make when jacking up a travel trailer?

• Using the wrong type of jack.
• Jacking up the trailer too high.
• Not using chocks to prevent the trailer from rolling away.
• Not using a level to make sure the trailer is level.
• Working under a raised trailer without someone else there to help.

By following these tips, you can safely and easily jack up your travel trailer for repairs or maintenance.

In this article, we have discussed the basics of how to jack up a travel trailer. We have covered the different types of jacks, how to choose the right one for your trailer, and how to safely and properly jack up your trailer. We hope that this information has been helpful and that you will be able to use it to safely and easily jack up your travel trailer.

Here are some key takeaways from this article:

• Always use a safety chain when jacking up your trailer. This will help to prevent the trailer from rolling away if the jack fails.
• Be sure to chock the wheels of your tow vehicle before jacking up the trailer. This will help to prevent the tow vehicle from rolling away if the jack fails.
• Never work under a trailer that is supported only by the jack. Always have someone hold the trailer up while you are working under it.
• Inspect your jacks regularly and replace them if they are damaged or worn out. This will help to ensure that your jacks are safe to use.

By following these tips, you can safely and easily jack up your travel trailer.