Jacking up the trailer -- need advice on the method

[woolznaz]

I'm going to pull all 4 wheels off my trailer at the same time and it will need to sit that way for a couple of days (long story and I'll spare you all from the reason I'm doing this). My question is this, should I jack it up by the axles and put wood blocks under them, or should I use the frame of the trailer to jack it up and block it?

The axles are rectangular and I would prefer to use them as I can block them up with 2 or 3 4"x4"s since they are low to the ground. Both axles are 3500 pound axles and the trailer is pretty heavily/solidly built. The other option is to jack it up and block it up at points close to where the leaf springs attach to the frame. However, the frame is pretty high off the ground so putting that up on blocks will require a lot more material to get the height I need.

Really, I suppose I could use either location (frame or axle) for jacking it up, but I prefer to block it up at the axle. I would think it will be fine to leave it that way for a few days, but I thought I would ask here to make sure.

Anyone see any issues? From which point (axle or frame) would you block it up? Thanks!

[ronb]

No difference either way. At my house I would probably jack it up and block it by the frame, simply because I have 4 jackstands and I wouldn't have to climb around on the gravel to put them under the axles. And if I had the ambition I could finally rebalance my trailer by moving the axle cradle forward.

Probably the only real benefit from doing it by the axles would be that you don't have to lift as far or block it as high. So by the axles (as close to the leaf spring mount as possible) would probably be your best location.

Out of curiousity are you doing this loaded or unloaded?

-ron

[GregF]

Blocking under the axles is more stable, less height to deal with. Strength wise the best spot is right under the springs.

[Bryden24shp]

Axles

[woolznaz]

Thanks, guys. I appreciate your insights. Ron, I am doing this loaded. I suppose I should have mentioned that. It will be in my garage so I have a nice concrete surface to work with. I have jack stands, too, but I'm using them somewhere else so I will not be able to use them for holding up my trailer. That is why I'm using blocks. My jack stands do not go up high enough anyway to even reach the frame (it's probably about 2' off the ground) so I would still need blocks.

I guess I'll use the axles for blocking it up as they are so much lower.

Thanks again for the suggestions. I just wanted to make sure it would be OK for a few days like this.