Bottle jack recommendation

[eagledreams]

Anyone have a recommendation for a bottle jack? We are new RV owners (bought last October, pick up the RV in April - we live where it is cold) and have started getting "stuff". Have seen suggestions to carry a bottle jack (have to ward off the evil spirits), but reviews I have seen are not good - either they don't lower easily, or slowly lower (when you don't want them to).

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

[THE MEEKER]

I bought an 8 ton bottle jack from Western Auto back in 1979, works like a charm. I believe it still has the original oil in it.

My brother bought one from Tractor Supply a few years back, 5 ton capacity. He had a flat last summer, went to use it, all the oil leaked out.

My suggestion, buy one of quality, don't get one from Harbor Freight or a big box store. I would see what Northern Tool or Grainger has to offer.

[Lake Huron]

I've got a Torin Big Red 20 ton bottle jack. I paid like $30 and I cant remember if I bought it from TSC or Wallyworld. Either way, it's a good jack. I use it to lift my 44' Northpoint for adjusting brakes, etc. I keep a small piece of 6x6 to put it on so it will reach the bottom of the frame to lift it. DONT LIFT OFF THE AXLE. YOU'LL BEND THE AXLE. I've never had an issue with it leaking down, but I wont go under it unless I have it blocked up anyway. It has a pretty smooth release valve screw and the top of the jack has a threaded insert which works very well for removal when your done lifting.

[Jagiven]

My recommendation is to buy one that has the capacity in theory to lift more than the whole weight than the trailer.

My TT weights 4500# and I have a 2 ton bottle jack. I have used it, and you can tell it strains I am lifting less then 1/2 the weight.

[RedHorse1]

I have a 20T that came from HF about 5 years ago. It’s got plenty of umph but the frame of my 5th is pretty far off the ground. To reach it I have to use 2x4 cribbing to build a tower for it to stand on. And like Huron I never get under the 5th until I have it blocked. I got the 20T for it’s stroke which isn’t overly. For roadside use I have an Anderson Rapid Jack but I need a layer of 2x4s under it to get enough lift to raise the adjacent tire from the ground. Sounds more complicated than it is. For me the goal is to be sure I can safely get a flat tire changed on the roadside. We have roadside assist but “belt and suspenders” . . .
If something’s gonna go south it’ll wait for the most inconvenient location.

[Florida Ranger]

Harbor Frieght X2..

[Riverman]

HFT.... x3

[Rustynuts]

HFT x4

[Riverman]

There's actually a 20-ton bottle jack that's made in the USA.

Check out the price.......

https://www.amazon.com/JACK-D-51126-...80&s=hi&sr=1-2

[stustoner]

HFT x5...got an 8 ton....works like a champ

[eow]

Check into a unijack. It is a bottle jack with integrated jack stand/lock and has a large base. Most versatile and safest jack I ever used.

https://www.amazon.com/Powerbuilt-62.../dp/B00GJJZ5NI

[Route 66 Traveler]

Originally Posted by Riverman

There's actually a 20-ton bottle jack that's made in the USA.

Check out the price.......

300 bucks is waaaaay too much money for a jack! I bought a 20 Ton at HF for less than 40 bucks. I bought the 20 Ton because it has a higher reach and has a carrying handle. Way over kill but it works well on my trailer.

https://www.harborfreight.com/20-ton...ack-66482.html

[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler

300 bucks is waaaaay too much money for a jack! I bought a 20 Ton at HF for less than 40 bucks. I bought the 20 Ton because it has a higher reach and has a carrying handle. Way over kill but it works well on my trailer.

https://www.harborfreight.com/20-ton...ack-66482.html

This!

[cgalutera1]

HF 20T. Used on my 26.5 BHS installing the greaseable zerks.

Carlo

[eagledreams]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. Really helpful!

[Joan617]

Originally Posted by eagledreams

Anyone have a recommendation for a bottle jack? We are new RV owners (bought last October, pick up the RV in April - we live where it is cold) and have started getting "stuff". Have seen suggestions to carry a bottle jack (have to ward off the evil spirits), but reviews I have seen are not good - either they don't lower easily, or slowly lower (when you don't want them to).

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

What did your truck come with? When starting to shop I almost forgot that our truck came with something like an eight ton with a pretty decent adjustable reach. Just need a jack stand now.

[Snake4Hire]

I stumbled upon your thread. Thanks for the link. This jack looks perfect.

[joe w]

Me too, have yet to have an issue, used it to repack bearings on all four wheels and again when I put brakes on my wife's car.

[Siamese]

I bought a cheap, red, bottle jack 30 years ago or so, and it always works when I need it. I keep it in my trailer, along with the rest of my tire changing stuff (torque wrench, etc..).

Recently, I needed another one because my trailer's in storage four states away, and I had a job to do. I bought a cheap one at Home Depot...25 bucks?....and it was fine for the job I had to do.

Based on my personal experience, which requires the use of a bottle jack only a few times a year, I'd say go cheap for one to keep on your trailer.

By the way, neither of mine has ever gone down by itself, slowly or otherwise, but I always back it up with jack stands.

[joe w]

I agree with the torque wrench part, always carry one.