DW_Gray
Well-known member
Let’s discuss using the Lippert Level Up as a means to change a tire and safety practices.
Lippert’s hydraulic system is more than capable of lifting and holding a trailer up off the ground, even for extended periods of time. I lifted my empty Cyclone off the ground at a storage lot for 8 months until I brought it back down. It did not budge an inch for the whole 8 months.
Lippert and Heartland may advise owners now not to use the hydraulic system for maintenance because their attorney instructed them to for the reason of liability protection. I don’t believe for one minute it had anything to do with lifting limitations.
It’s been said that lifting the trailer off the ground could invalidate the warranty. I think that would be difficult to enforce. Occasionally, my trailer has been lifted off the ground on one side at an RV park because the ground was sloping down on that side. I doubt any company could deny a warranty in those situations.
It has been said that jack stands under the trailer are not needed when the hydraulic system is being used to change tires. Sure, a consumer can do whatever he or she wants to. They are not required to abide by any safety practices.
I have lifted one side to change a single tire. I don’t view this technique unsafe at all. However, if I remove all the tires on one side or I’m going to do some work underneath, I use jack stands and strongly recommend everyone do so.
On the other hand, an employer at a repair facility is required to abide by certain safety practices.
Every time I have taken my trailer in for axle or brake work, the techs there have me raise the trailer up and then lower it down on appropriately rated jack stands.
On Dec. 29, 1970, President Richard M. Nixon signed The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970. This act states:
5.(a) Each employer:
(1) shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees;
(2) shall comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act.
Therefore, the employer is required by federal law to provide a hazard-free workplace and failure to do so can, and often does, result in serious fines. Properly using jack stands is part of the requirement.
The bottom line is, each of us must decide what is the appropriate safety measure for the task at hand. Moreover, just because someone else may do something different than what you or I would do does not always mean it is wrong.
Jack stands can save lives. One of my co-workers in the Postal Service lost his life because he did not use the required jack stand. Never substitute a certified and properly rated jack stand.
Lippert’s hydraulic system is more than capable of lifting and holding a trailer up off the ground, even for extended periods of time. I lifted my empty Cyclone off the ground at a storage lot for 8 months until I brought it back down. It did not budge an inch for the whole 8 months.
Lippert and Heartland may advise owners now not to use the hydraulic system for maintenance because their attorney instructed them to for the reason of liability protection. I don’t believe for one minute it had anything to do with lifting limitations.
It’s been said that lifting the trailer off the ground could invalidate the warranty. I think that would be difficult to enforce. Occasionally, my trailer has been lifted off the ground on one side at an RV park because the ground was sloping down on that side. I doubt any company could deny a warranty in those situations.
It has been said that jack stands under the trailer are not needed when the hydraulic system is being used to change tires. Sure, a consumer can do whatever he or she wants to. They are not required to abide by any safety practices.
I have lifted one side to change a single tire. I don’t view this technique unsafe at all. However, if I remove all the tires on one side or I’m going to do some work underneath, I use jack stands and strongly recommend everyone do so.
On the other hand, an employer at a repair facility is required to abide by certain safety practices.
Every time I have taken my trailer in for axle or brake work, the techs there have me raise the trailer up and then lower it down on appropriately rated jack stands.
On Dec. 29, 1970, President Richard M. Nixon signed The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970. This act states:
5.(a) Each employer:
(1) shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees;
(2) shall comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act.
Therefore, the employer is required by federal law to provide a hazard-free workplace and failure to do so can, and often does, result in serious fines. Properly using jack stands is part of the requirement.
The bottom line is, each of us must decide what is the appropriate safety measure for the task at hand. Moreover, just because someone else may do something different than what you or I would do does not always mean it is wrong.
Jack stands can save lives. One of my co-workers in the Postal Service lost his life because he did not use the required jack stand. Never substitute a certified and properly rated jack stand.
