Re: [A/S] Lifting a Bambi With A Jack

["Harvey Barlow" <harveybarlow@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Andy,

You certainly have some interesting information but I wonder, what is your
source?

After reading your post regarding the proper place to place a floor jack to
lift an A/S, I reviewed my service manual.

I refer you to the 1973 AIRSTREAM SERVICE MANUAL, page 11:

QUOTE:  "AXLE REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT

1.  Jack trailer at marked jack pad behind axle on main frame.  Raise
trailer until wheels clear by at least 1".  END QUOTE

And under another section.............

Quote:    "WHEEL BEARING MAINTENANCE

1.  Jack trailer at marked jack pad behind axle on main frame.   END QUOTE

The method described above is the method used by experienced Airstream
mechanics working in the service department of Airstream at Jackson Center.
I have personally observed them repack the bearings on my 34' A/S.

I have also used the same method many times myself.  When the prescribed
method is used the reason for lifting a trailer at that point becomes very
clear.  When a trailer is lifted at the jacking point the weight in front of
the axles remains on the tongue jack and the wheels of tandem or triple axle
trailers can be lifted clear of the floor by simply running the tongue jack
to lift the tongue also.

My owner's manual is not handy right now but I will review it later because
I think I remember reading the same thing somewhere else, probably in the
owner's manual.

If the jack points are intended for placing stabilizer jacks why in the
world are the stabilizer jacks placed several feet behind the jack point by
the factory?

I am not going to spend the time digging right now to support my memory but
I  remember reading somewhere that an Airstream trailer is never to be
lifted by placing a jack on any point of the axle assembly.

Thanks for your input Andy.

Harvey Barlow
Lubbock, TX
WBCCI 1171, WDCU, VAC
'93 Excella 34', '66 Safari 22'