I recently upgraded from a travel trailer to a 5th wheel. I have decided to put new tires on it, and to do that I have to jack it up, one side at a time, and take the wheels off. Problem I have, is that it is not attached to the truck. It is sitting on the landing legs at the front. I have been told I can leave it sitting on the landing legs while I jack it up, but to only jack it up enough to get the wheels off, and that I don't have to worry about the low side landing leg collapsing. Does anybody have any experience doing that? I want to make sure I don't do something stupid, when I could have asked the question first.

John

 

When I was checking my brakes, I used a large bottle jack and did one tire at a time. That left one tire on the ground. A little more work but it worked for me.

 

You're not going to transfer too much weight over to the landing gear you should be fine. But if you have doubts let a professional do it. All tire shops have road service. Better to pay a bit more and be comfortable and safe than to pay later...

 

Chock one side good and lift just enough to do the job then the other side. I am curious what tires are you going with?? I have not put on tires in quite awhile as I have traded off the last couple of trailers before I needed tires so just curious?? Goodluck,,,Rick

 

Kandgo, Right now on the trailer, I have 6 year old Goodyear Wrangler HTs 235/85/R16 tires. They have virtually no wear (trailer was hardly used). I have old, worn, cracking, Firestone Steeltex 235/85/R16 tires on the truck.
I am putting 4 new Michelin XPS Ribs on the trailer, and I want to put the trailer tires on the truck, and then ditch the Firestones.
I have made a deal with my favorite mechanic to sell me the tires at Tirerack.com's price, and put the new tires on the trailer if I bring the wheels in. I want to take the trailer wheels to him two at a time, then when I get all four wheels fitted, he will have four Goodyears he can then put on the truck. To do that I need to jack up one side of the trailer, and leave it sitting on axle stands while I get the tires changed out.

John

 

I have jacked my 5er many times for various maintenance reasons and have found the safest way is to have it hitched to my truck with the legs retracted. Face it! There's ne way to tell for sure just how much pressure is being placed on those spindly legs AND a lateral load to boot. I'd hate to see one of those buckle whether I was under the rig or not.
TC

 

Trouble is, if the truck is under the 5th wheel, then I don't have a truck to put the wheels in, to drive down to the shop to get the new tires put on!

John

 

Sounds like a great deal, just do one side at a time and raise just enough. I have also raised just one axle at a time to do service,either way you will not have any problems just be safe, Goodluck,,,,,Rick

 

I do the jack up both side just on the front leg no problem. I place jack stands under the frame and pull the wheels without any problem at all.