best Jack? 2023 Micro Minnie 1720fb

[1woodward1]

I want to upgrade my tire changing tools from what came from the manufacture. My frame sits almost 20 inches off the ground. All the bottle jacks 12 to 20lb that I have looked at have max heights of 19". What type of jack should I use?

Any suggestions about lug nut socket sets, breaker bars and torque wrenches is greatly appreciated. I am looking for a set up for an old guy that is easy as possible in case of an emergency.

[Eagle5]

Hi 1woodward1,
You can move it under the axle if it will fit, or you can buy a small length of 4"x8" and cut it up into blocks upon which you can place your bottle jack.
One store that has very good prices for these sorts of things is Harbor Freight Tools. However, if you go into an unknowledgeable store, you might find that they don't know jack!
As well as a torque wrench and an extension, I would also buy either a T-handle or standard speed wrench.
Thanks, Eagle5

[Fred 2106DS]

Here's what I carry. You can always add blocking under the jack if needed. It has a large stable base.

Unijack
1/2 in. Torque Wrench
1/2 in. Flip Socket Set
1/2 in. Drive 25 in. Breaker Bar

[Blue Sky]

Camco's Trailer-Aid, https://www.camco.net/trailer-aid-plus-yellow-boxed-23, works as advertised.

Any 3/8" or 1/2" drive rachet or breaker will work well on travel trailer lugs. The longer the handle the easier it is to get the torque you need.

As one old guy to another, I use an extension on the breaker bar to loosen the lug nuts. It's a 2 1/2' length of thin wall pipe.

[Marine359]

I’m 72, and this works for me.

Any set of elliptical levelers will give you the ability to lift only one axle on one side off the ground. Simply pull one tire forward onto a single elliptical and the other axle will lift off the ground enough to change tire, use a grease gun, or do any other kind of tire maintenance. Use a lug wrench with pipe and a foot to loosen lugs before lifting.

Andersen levelers or Beech Lane, which are slightly less expensive:
Beech Lane Camper Leveler 2 Pack - Precise Camper Leveling, Includes Two Curved Levelers, Two Chocks, and Two Rubber Grip Mats, Heavy Duty Leveler Works for Campers Up to 35,000 LBs, Patented https://a.co/d/5WLf624

[Just Mike]

For lifting my Micro Mini 2108ds on the road I carry a 1.5 ton aluminum floor jack with 4 2x6 boards to extend the lift height. Aluminum is light weight.

I also carry a 2 ton bottle jack as a backup. The 2x6 boards can help extend the lift height.

For lifting at home or on a flat surface like a campground I use a single Andersen curved leveler placed under the wheel that will not be removed. The other wheel will be suspended for maintenance. This would only work on dual axle rigs.

To remove the lug nuts I carry a 1/2” drive battery powered impact with the appropriate sized impact socket. I also carry an old school spinner wrench as a backup.

I also carry a torque wrench to use when reinstalling the lug nuts with the proper torque.

[ldfeat]

I use my HWH leveling Jack's. So, if you have them IMO it hurts nothing to use them to change a tire. I carry a jackstand too for safety. Larry, 2014 Reyo P

[CliffordM]

I bought one of the safe jack kits, and it has worked great for me. I never had much luck with using the anderson style blocks to lift the other tire on my dual axle trailer, but maybe the cheap camco set I have was more the issue.

[eatSleepWoof]

Raising a jack to a very tall height will compromise safety. That is to say, even if you find a bottle jack that gives you (for example) 30" of height, that doesn't mean it's a great idea to extend it that far.

The camco "Trailer aid" product referenced above will be handy, but it's $100 CAD for a job that can be performed equally well by a few pieces of 2x4, or any nearby rock.

If going down that path I'd rather pick up something like these levelers, which can be used for the same tire-changing purposes if the need arises.

[MicroMinnie]

Don’t need/use a jack.
Drive over a piece or wood with the good tire, 2*8 piece will lift the other wheel of the ground, where needed you can double up.

I have 2 pieces in the trailer anyways to level