Are there new jacking points for the 2024 400s?

pthomas745

There have been a couple of comments in this group about the "exposed axle" on the 2024 400's.  Apparently, no longer covered by the "coroplast" underbelly protection.

FB commenters this morning are now claiming that you can put a jack "anywhere on the exposed axle" during a discussion of the jacking points on the trailers.

I'm dubious about "anywhere", of course, and have demanded photos of the new 2024 axles and if they still have the "flange" at the end of the axle we have always described as the "jacking point".

Does anyone have a photo or first hand description of a 2024 400 "exposed" axle?  Is the 2024 320 axle "exposed" in the same way?  Is the jack "flange" at the end of the axle still exist?

xdr

here a few pics for you. No flange like the previous version. 

I keep thinking the 24 400 has a beefier frame than our 21 400 had…maybe it because I can see more of it, but it looks heavier. 

pthomas745

Thank you so much.  So...what now?  Is "anywhere on the axle" good advice?  Is the best place for a jack now as close as possible to the tire on that square section?

EasternJL

Just chiming in-- the 2024 320 looks the same underneath.  I'm also curious where the jack would/should go.  It seems odd that it would go right under that thin piece of metal under the axle, but I'd like verification.  320 pictured.....

Bill&Suze

pthomas745 said:

Does anyone have a photo or first hand description of a 2024 400 "exposed" axle?  Is the 2024 320 axle "exposed" in the same way?  Is the jack "flange" at the end of the axle still exist?

Here a re two more photos of the axle, front and back views parallel to the tire.

Sharon_is_SAM

From the 2024 400 Manual:  “Place the jack on the chassis directly behind the wheel. Lift the trailer, being very

careful that the jack does not slip off.”

EasternJL

It would be great if someone could show a picture of a jack under a 2024 320 or 400 exactly where it should go-- or even circle the spot in a picture.  I feel like I'm pretty intuitive when it comes to these things, but I'm just not seeing an obvious spot "directly behind the wheel".  

Binghi

It looks to me like you could locate the jack at the bolted frame member or the exposed solid axle, but not the torsion arm. I would favor the frame member; only problem being it’s thin and you would have to make sure it doesn’t slip or slide on your jack.

Sharon_is_SAM

I just sent an email to NuCamp. We’ll see what they say.

ScottG

Exposed or not, I believe that is the same torsion axle that has always been used on T@Bs. Jacking along the axle itself risks deforming the axle tube and damaging or otherwise interfering with the operation of the torsion bars inside of it. The image below shows how these axles are constructed, and gives a better sense of how they can be damaged. Regardless of what anybody says, I would jack only under the installation bracket (which I think is what nuCamp typically recommends) or under solid parts of the trailer frame.

pthomas745

This is what finally NuCamp came back with last night.  "There is no longer an L bracket or plate for this, you will want to place your jack on the chassis behind the wheel, not in front of.”   So, the idea of not "using a jack on the axle" still holds.

I had to flip their photo to get this perspective.  The axle is towards the middle bottom, in line with the hand.  (It has the white label).  The white circle is the area on the trailer "chassis behind the wheel".

This is the original photo if it helps clear this up.

ScottG

Deja Vu all over again--IIRC that is what nuCamp used to recommend.

Is that area of the frame covered by the coroplast in newer trailers? If so, it seems you'd have to be careful to hit the frame squarely and not booger up the plastic.

EasternJL

As @ScottG said-- that part of the frame is covered by the coroplast piece.  In fact, you can see in the pictures above that they have removed that plastic piece (which is sitting off to the side).  I'd hate to think about having removing that piece when the time comes to jack the camper-- on the side of the road, etc.  My thinking at the moment is that I'd try to come up with a way to put the jack under the "easy installation brackets", or get the jack square and try not to mess up the plastic.