Replacing Axle. Lifting Boat/Trailer up to work on it Safely....

[chrisf695]

So Im going to replacing the axle and leaf springs this weekend and to honestly Im a little nervous about working under the boat like this. I have 2 jack stands, 2 4x4s and a 5k jack. Im not sure what will be the best way of lifting the trailer off the ground with the boat on it. Can anyone suggest how to position everything under the trailer? Is there anything else I need to buy to make this as safe as possible. Thanks!

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Replacing Axle. Lifting Boat/Trailer up to work on it Safely....

I have only done that once. First I losened the lug nuts on the tires, then lowered the tong all the way to the ground and then set jack stands at the back then took a floor jack and raised the front and used timbers to block that up, then removed the tires, then dropped the old springs and axle and drug that out. Then put the new ones using all new hard wear., I did use a oxy/acc torch to remove the old bolts and so on. It took me about 2 hours.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Replacing Axle. Lifting Boat/Trailer up to work on it Safely....

I used 4 jack stands (same ones I use when working under my truck). Also used a 1/2" air-impact wrench - sheared the rusted bolts off nicely.

You can buy another pair of heavy duty jack stands for not too much $$ at HF.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Replacing Axle. Lifting Boat/Trailer up to work on it Safely....

Just jack stands under the frame. My trailer is sitting on jack stands right now to get the weight off the tires.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Replacing Axle. Lifting Boat/Trailer up to work on it Safely....

Get some 6x6 blocks or more jack stands . . . It does not sound like you have enough 'stuff' to lift and support the trailer.

It may be best to support the trailer frame fore and aft of the axle on each side, so 4 points of support.

I like using large blocks for this type of work/support more than jack stands, as they are more stable (laid flat, etc)

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Replacing Axle. Lifting Boat/Trailer up to work on it Safely....

I like using large blocks for this type of work/support more than jack stands, as they are more stable (laid flat, etc)

As long as they aren't masonry blocks. Never use a concrete block to support anything.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Replacing Axle. Lifting Boat/Trailer up to work on it Safely....

As long as they aren't masonry blocks. Never use a concrete block to support anything.

I know . . . they tend to 'explode' . . . I hate it when that happens

 

[izoomie]

Re: Replacing Axle. Lifting Boat/Trailer up to work on it Safely....

I use the same gear I use to work on my cars and trucks. A hydraulic jack to lift it and jack stands on the frame to hold it off the ground. You should be on level ground and block the other wheel when you are jacking up the first one.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Replacing Axle. Lifting Boat/Trailer up to work on it Safely....

Hook the trailer up to the tow vehicle, jack the trailer up under the spring perch on the axle on one side, put a jack stand under the frame behind the rear spring mount, repeat on the other side and do the work. Make sure the jack stands are on a hard, stable surface.

 

[limitout]

Re: Replacing Axle. Lifting Boat/Trailer up to work on it Safely....

Hook the trailer up to the tow vehicle, jack the trailer up under the spring perch on the axle on one side, put a jack stand under the frame behind the rear spring mount, repeat on the other side and do the work. Make sure the jack stands are on a hard, stable surface.

+1 ^^^ but don't forget to completely loosen (but don't unscrew) the lugs on the rims before jacking it up and adding a little wd40 presoak on everything you have to remove goes a long way to making life easier.

that's how I do mine and you want it connected to your truck so if you need to "persuade" stuck bolts to come out (as is often the case) the trailer wont be rocking and rolling around on the jack stands.

because you are replacing the axle and springs, you will find it easy since you just pull the spring bolts and drag it out of the way because you don't have to remove the springs from the axle (you should be using all new hardware to put it back together by the way)

I suggest you replace the spring bolts with the grease zerk style type so you can add grease from time to time

 

[I`mNotMe]

Re: Replacing Axle. Lifting Boat/Trailer up to work on it Safely....

Use jack stands (aka: axle stands) under the frame rails. Use 1 near front of leaf spring bracket. Use 1 near the rear of leaf spring bracket. And, use tongue jack to steady the tongue area as well. If doing this outside, ensure lifting on level ground, its firm ground (not on soft dirt) and no wind. Windy day on jack stands adds extra danger risk. As others stated, lossen all wheel nuts, leaf spring eye bolts, U-bolts before lifting onto jack stands. If U-bolts and/or leaf spring eye bolts are too rusty, simply electric grinder them off - instead of using force while on jack stands. Too much force while on jacks is like a windy risk thing. After new items are installed, firmly tighten, let down (off jack stands), tow loaded trailer around the city block a few times (to allow things to "settle in"), then torque down all bolts / nuts.

Hope this helps..

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Replacing Axle. Lifting Boat/Trailer up to work on it Safely....

Hook the trailer up to the tow vehicle, jack the trailer up under the spring perch on the axle on one side, put a jack stand under the frame behind the rear spring mount, repeat on the other side and do the work. Make sure the jack stands are on a hard, stable surface.

winner winner chicken dinner!

 

[tazrig]

Re: Replacing Axle. Lifting Boat/Trailer up to work on it Safely....

So Im going to replacing the axle and leaf springs this weekend and to honestly Im a little nervous about working under the boat like this. I have 2 jack stands, 2 4x4s and a 5k jack. Im not sure what will be the best way of lifting the trailer off the ground with the boat on it. Can anyone suggest how to position everything under the trailer? Is there anything else I need to buy to make this as safe as possible. Thanks!

View attachment 218760View attachment 218761

Try this. It 's the safest way and not all that difficult to do. (getting the boat off first)

View attachment removing boat from trailer.pdf

 

[acdc96]

Re: Replacing Axle. Lifting Boat/Trailer up to work on it Safely....

Another possible way...
Put the boat in the water for a day or two. If their are docks slips available.
Or go to your local marina and have them put the boat on stands for a couple of days.
That's if you feel confident that your trailer will make it.
I replaced my leaf springs over the summer and did the work in the boat ramp parking lot and kept the boat at the ramp for the day. But I used my friends work truck with a gas powered compressor. No one bothered me and had a couple of guys offer to help me with it. Also it was a Tuesday. Good luck with your project.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Replacing Axle. Lifting Boat/Trailer up to work on it Safely....

taking the boat off the trailer to swap an axle makes about as much sense as removing the body from the frame to work under my truck.... just jack it up and put stands under it..... I've worked under all sorts of things that weigh far more than that little boat... as long as it's properly supported it's perfectly safe.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Replacing Axle. Lifting Boat/Trailer up to work on it Safely....

taking the boat off the trailer to swap an axle makes about as much sense as removing the body from the frame to work under my truck.... just jack it up and put stands under it..... I've worked under all sorts of things that weigh far more than that little boat... as long as it's properly supported it's perfectly safe.

Totally agree. I replaced the axle for the trailer for my 24' Wellcraft and it was easy with jack stands. I have my trailer up on jack stands at this very moment just to keep the weight off the tires. Took all of 10 minutes to get it in that configuration too.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Replacing Axle. Lifting Boat/Trailer up to work on it Safely....

Chris: I replaced my axle June of this year,, use jack stands,, PLUS!!!!!!---> get cinderblcks, solid ones if you want and stack them like cookies up from the ground to your trailer frame... or use wood blocks,,2x10's. obviously you would need lots of those stacked up,, HOWEVER.. if you do that, it provides a nice wide base and the trailer frame wont come crashing down on you due to jack stand failure..........

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Replacing Axle. Lifting Boat/Trailer up to work on it Safely....

PLUS!!!!!!---> get cinderblcks, solid ones if you want and stack them like cookies up from the ground to your trailer frame

Never ever use cinder blocks to support a weight. The wood blocks are what you want if you want added safety.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Replacing Axle. Lifting Boat/Trailer up to work on it Safely....

agree... cinder blocks while, they can be very strong when set and used correctly can also shatter with no warning whatsoever.... steel jack stands and/or wood blocks are MUCH MUCH safer

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Replacing Axle. Lifting Boat/Trailer up to work on it Safely....

Only an idiot uses just jack stands.........they fail.. you dead.. blocks from the ground up too ALWAYS!,, the ground tends not to cave in...............