Jacking up a TAB 400 BD

geoB

There are quite a few posts  that discuss bottle jacks and floor jacks on trailers. As I poke around auto supply stores' websites I note the negative reviews of these devices - mostly products that fail after very few uses. What I haven't yet found are reasons why scissor jacks aren't used. They are mechanically simpler that bottle or floor jacks; as long as they can handle the weight they should be fine. About the only mechanical difference I've seen is that the contact surface of scissor jacks is flat (or notched) and bottle & floor jacks might be "bumpy".

My question, then, is there any reason not to use the scissor jack that came with our TV, a 2020 Toyota Highlander?

manyman297

In my experience scissors jacks take up too much space under the jacking point (the thick steel plate under each side of the axle). I’m not able to fit jack stands next to it. If you just need to jack the camper up to change a tire then scissors jacks should be fine. My situation has more to do with maintenance where jack stands are a must. 

geoB

Thanks for your reply. For now all I need is confidence that I can deal with a flat. We'll be on the road for a couple of weeks - up to southeastern BC and back. I'll remember this should I get into maintenance.

RMo

We use the scissors jack from our 2017 Highlander on our 400 - changing tires, testing brakes and doing the EZ-lube routine.  Works fine

geoB

Please excuse my ignorance - what's the "EZ-lube" routine? How are you testing brakes?

gulfarea

The problem I had is when tire is flat can't get the jack under the jacking point. Bought a very thin flat jack but sure was expensive! Art

RMo

.  what's the "EZ-lube" routine? How are you testing brakes?

The bearings on the Dexter axel can be lubed by lifting the wheel and slowly turning it while you pump grease into the zerk under the hub cap - videos available on YouTube.  When troubleshooting a brake-controller issue I jacked up one wheel and pulled the emergency pin on the tongue to see if the brakes worked.  

I’m pretty sure the Highlander jack will fit under the frame even with a flat tire as it is no more than 4” high when collapsed.

And you will need a different-sized socket for the trailer lug nuts