I am going to need to replace my trailer jack this summer. I'm sick of battling with it every Spring as it's gotten rusty and cantankerous through the years. I've never shopped for these before. Is there something I need to look for or all they all pretty much the same? The one I have now has a crank and a wheel that swivels with a spring loaded bar that snaps into place. I have a boat that's about 3K lbs.
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Trailer Jacks
- Thread starter Wrenz
- Start date
No, they are not all the same.
There are two basic styles, and even within the styles there are many that are similar but don't quite match up.
One style is the jack that fastens to the side of the trailer rail and swivels up. I really like these jacks because when you hitch up you just raise them up enough to get the load off, pull a spring loaded pin and rotate the mechanism 90 degrees and get it completely out of harms way. Fast, easy. These units either clamp to the side rails via large U-bolts or there may be a matching mount welded to the trailer. The clamp on ones are easy to replace or retrofit to an older trailer. If you have the welded on mount then you need to find a new one that has matching bolt pattern.
The other style of jack is normally mounted up in the peak of the "V" of the tongue. It could have been welded to the trailer or bolted down. If yours was bolted on, and you can find one with a matching bolt pattern, it is an easy replacement. I had to replace one not long ago and had to attach the trailer with a cutting torch to get the new one to fit.
It sounds like you have the swivel type that I described first, which is a lot easier to deal with. Just make sure that the new jack is rated for your trailer weight.
Rod
There are two basic styles, and even within the styles there are many that are similar but don't quite match up.
One style is the jack that fastens to the side of the trailer rail and swivels up. I really like these jacks because when you hitch up you just raise them up enough to get the load off, pull a spring loaded pin and rotate the mechanism 90 degrees and get it completely out of harms way. Fast, easy. These units either clamp to the side rails via large U-bolts or there may be a matching mount welded to the trailer. The clamp on ones are easy to replace or retrofit to an older trailer. If you have the welded on mount then you need to find a new one that has matching bolt pattern.
The other style of jack is normally mounted up in the peak of the "V" of the tongue. It could have been welded to the trailer or bolted down. If yours was bolted on, and you can find one with a matching bolt pattern, it is an easy replacement. I had to replace one not long ago and had to attach the trailer with a cutting torch to get the new one to fit.
It sounds like you have the swivel type that I described first, which is a lot easier to deal with. Just make sure that the new jack is rated for your trailer weight.
Rod
Most swing type jacks I've seen are total junk. They're just made too weak and start bending/wear out at the swing/pivot point. The idea is good but the construction is totally bogus.
The drop leg has good points but can also corrode up so the leg doesn't drop. The strongest are the 'V' mounted jacks and the top rotating handle are generally better(longer lasting) than the side handle.
I have adapted a hi-lift farm type jack for my trailer. It's fast AND strong.
If you can find a jack that pivots with a pipe in a pipe, that would probably be strong. Just stay away from the stamped metal pivot.
The drop leg has good points but can also corrode up so the leg doesn't drop. The strongest are the 'V' mounted jacks and the top rotating handle are generally better(longer lasting) than the side handle.
I have adapted a hi-lift farm type jack for my trailer. It's fast AND strong.
If you can find a jack that pivots with a pipe in a pipe, that would probably be strong. Just stay away from the stamped metal pivot.