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trailer jacks - how do I choose which one is right

PostPosted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 12:39 pm
by Kristina
I keep having a problem where the trailer jack is low enough on my tailer that I keep scraping it on the ground and it eventually bends back where it makes it very difficult to unhitch it from my vehicle.

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I'm thinking the solution to my problem is to replace my current jack with one with a wheel that either will fold up completely or will raise higher than the one currently installed.

The weight of my trailer is 1890 lbs. Not sure what the tongue weight is.
All the jacks have weights associated with them. Is that the maxmium tongue weight?

Should I have a jack with our without a wheel? one that swings back or one that raises. It seems like the swing one might not work on my setup due to the frame

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These look like possible choices, but I'm not really sure.

2000 lb swing back trailer jack http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=41006

1500 lb swing back dual wheel boat trail jackhttp://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96693

Also I don't know how to weld so I would prefer that I not have to have it welded on unless it's better to do so. I have a grinder so I know I can take the old one off ok.

Thanks in advance

PostPosted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 12:46 pm
by mlsa
Kristrina

My bass boat trailer has a swing away jack with a wheel on the end. My boat weighs over 2000 lb. I just pull a pin and either swing it down to jack my boat up or pull the pin and pull the jack back and it locks in the up position.

You can get them at most trailer places or even a sporting goods store like Academy.

Re: trailer jacks - how do I choose which one is right

PostPosted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 6:09 pm
by kennyrayandersen
Kristina wrote:I keep having a problem where the trailer jack is low enough on my tailer that I keep scraping it on the ground and it eventually bends back where it makes it very difficult to unhitch it from my vehicle.


I hate that sound :x

tears aren't so heavy so pretty much any of them should work

PostPosted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 9:08 pm
by yota_dude
I would not recomend the harbor freight jacks i bought one and within a week it was all messed up. it would just grind and it bent so far to the side. i would recomend and buy one from a trailer place.

PostPosted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 9:23 pm
by doug hodder
I've had great luck with the Fulton brand swing away jack, 2 boats and 4 tears. They come in a variety of lengths and weight abilities. They are more expensive however. As mentioned, I'd avoid the really inexpensive ones. Available through trailer supply shops, marine supply, and other places. I see you're in Denver...don't know if they are still there, but try Cowboy metal, down off Santa Fe, I used to get trailer parts from them. Doug

PostPosted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 9:57 pm
by Kristina
The fulton swing jacks are nice. One is now installed on my tear. Thanks for the advice.

PostPosted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 10:38 am
by heldog
hay Kristina.
DO NOT buy the CHEAP harbor freight jack.
i bought one and it twisted on me.
I went with Fulton Heavy-Duty Marine Jack (2500lb) http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/ ... _200155574
it lifts up and out of the way and then drops down with a pull of the pin plus I mounted my spare tire to the top portion of the jack. (I only have a 12" spare)
also the gearing is smooth and feels heavy duty.
I hope this helps.

PostPosted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 10:24 pm
by wlooper89
The Fulton jack looks very nice. The tongue wheel is handy if you got one with that, and with the swing feature it does not need to be removed for towing. My wheel is the removeable type, probably a little more trouble, but necessary as the jack just raises and lowers. It does not swing out of the way. I usually put the wheel back on for camping and use a tongue wheel dock like this to hold the trailer in place. This is a sufficient chock unless the campsite is steep.
http://www.amazon.com/Camco-44632-RV-Wh ... sim_auto_8

Bill