been pondering over this for a while now,
where exactly is the jacking point on a twin axle caravan?
do you have to use the side lift brackets?
bottle jack, trolley jack, side lift jack?
could i just put a jack under the chassis a jack away?
read other posts and looked through manual and still not much wiser!!
thanks in advance for any info/pics
Ive only lifted mine the once and that was with a trolley jack under the axle.Be careful if you use a bottle jack as it might be too high if the tire/tires are flat.
I fitted Kojack TA brackets on my twin axle and lift if with a Kojack bottle jack that has a low profile by a high enough lift to get the wheel off. Is also use it to fit the Alko locks if I cant get the receivers lined up together. The Kojack jack is not the highest quality and some have reported oil seals leaking but so far I have had mine two years and no problems - yet. I do use mine more than most people so I guess I am fairly happy with it.
------------- 'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'
The best place to lift the van is under the bracing piece which is around the chassis behind the wheels, or under the axle cross-member. I usually put a trolley jack between the wheels and lift there, or if at the side of the wheel, I makes sure the jack is under that bracing piece.
Don't jack under the longitudinal member elsewhere unless you've fitted approved brackets into pre-drilled holes.
I prefer my own low profile trolley jack, as I find the Kojack bottle jack pretty poor, as was a previous Kojack trolley jack!
Alternatively I use my own bottle jack. But if you have one, the trolley jack is the best bet, and most stable.
Remember to chock the other wheels, and preferably hitch the 'van to the car for safety!
My new Elddis twin axle came with the Kojack bottle jack, jacking points that came with jack are fitted to the caravan chassis, l found this jack better than the AL-KO scissor jack which came with my previous twin axle Bailey Unicorn l found this jack hard to use when the full weight of van was on the jack in the end l used a trolley jack. With a trolley jack this was extra weight to carry, and thought of buying a electric scissor jack from a well known auction site for about £70, did not bother with buying one when we bought our new van so l can't comment on the electric jack. The trolley jack is better and is more stable than other type of jacks mention. l suppose its up to personal preference.
------------- You'll Never Walk Alone C'mon you Reds
Quote: Originally posted by birder99 on 06/3/2013
I fitted Kojack TA brackets on my twin axle and lift if with a Kojack bottle jack that has a low profile by a high enough lift to get the wheel off. Is also use it to fit the Alko locks if I cant get the receivers lined up together. The Kojack jack is not the highest quality and some have reported oil seals leaking but so far I have had mine two years and no problems - yet. I do use mine more than most people so I guess I am fairly happy with it.
Hi, I'm interested to know if you have motor movers on all wheels?
Quote: Originally posted by TonyDD on 06/3/2013
My new Elddis twin axle came with the Kojack bottle jack, jacking points that came with jack are fitted to the caravan chassis, l found this jack better than the AL-KO scissor jack which came with my previous twin axle Bailey Unicorn l found this jack hard to use when the full weight of van was on the jack in the end l used a trolley jack. With a trolley jack this was extra weight to carry, and thought of buying a electric scissor jack from a well known auction site for about £70, did not bother with buying one when we bought our new van so l can't comment on the electric jack. The trolley jack is better and is more stable than other type of jacks mention. l suppose its up to personal preference. Â
Hi Tony, I too got a the kojack bottle jack with my new elddis but in pretty sure with motor movers fitted on all wheels the bracket fitting points are obscured, do you not have all wheel motor movers?
Quote: Originally posted by Just do it on 06/3/2013
Quote: Originally posted by birder99 on 06/3/2013I fitted Kojack TA brackets on my twin axle and lift if with a Kojack bottle jack that has a low profile by a high enough lift to get the wheel off. Is also use it to fit the Alko locks if I cant get the receivers lined up together. The Kojack jack is not the highest quality and some have reported oil seals leaking but so far I have had mine two years and no problems - yet. I do use mine more than most people so I guess I am fairly happy with it.
Hi, I'm interested to know if you have motor movers on all wheels?
Nope only on the front wheels as I can't cope with the extra weight of the mover reducing the payload. Also have front mounted towbar so don't need the all wheel drive as I can generally push the 'van into place with the movers being handy for hitching up when I am on my own.
------------- 'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'
so if i was to say use a trolley jack, that would go directly behind the wheels and i would span the 2 axles with a piece of thick metal or wood? so both wheels come up together?
There is a discussion on another forum about using trolley jacks and the fact that they do not lift in a straight line. Not sure if I can put a link to it from here but it is the forum of a caravan magazine.
It might be worth contacting Alko to see what they advise and maybe highlight the problem to them so that they can change the chassis design in the future.
I have jsut been out to look at the possible place to jack up the caravan with a trolley jack and there is not a lot of room to get one under and operate it - it might be worth trying to do it before you need to do it at the side of the road in bad weather.
------------- 'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'
I've seen a thread on here somewhere birder99 about the dangers of using a trolley jack. flat tire on my van while travelling is my greatest fear with no real jacking up options, I do think the industry has a responsability to pay far more attention to this challenge, first it should be made a whole lot easier and secondly dealerships should demonstrate it in the handover process
yes l have a motor mover which is set on the front wheel axle the kojack jacking points have been fitted behind the rear axle. When l had my Bailey Unicorn l used a trolley jack lot better than AL-Ko scissor jack that came with van
------------- You'll Never Walk Alone C'mon you Reds
Nothing wrong with Halfords own make, been using them for years.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
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Topic: caravan jacks
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