Tired of bending the tongue jack

[desertmoose]

We built our teardrop for off roading, and we use it that way. One problem we have encountered is bending the tongue jack (fully raised) while going through ditches, etc. At least five times we have drug it enough to require bending it back into place to use it. All this bending back and forth resulted in the back two bolts of the jack mount pulling the threads out of the coupler plate. Was getting pretty wobbly. Time to fix it.

I could have repaired the threads in the coupler plate, but the jack would still be hanging down in harms way, so I made it removable. With it removed, I can't drag it.

I mounted the jack to a 1/4 plate. Welding tubing to the coupler and plate gave a sort of hinge pin arrangement. two pins slid into the tubing holds the jack in place. pull the pins and the jack lifts free.

The four 1/4 inch bolts act as set screws to snug up any play in the mount. Lightly twisting them down with fingers kept the whole thing tight. There's no wobble or play while the tear is sitting on the jack. I'll replace them with thumb screws when I get a chance to pick some up.




No dragging the jack now.




One advantage I hadn't anticipated, is now I can fully lower the tailgate on the truck while hitched. That alone is worth the modification.



Took the tear camping last weekend and tried it out. Didn't do any off roading, but everything worked fine. I do need to get some matching paint and touch up the whole area.

Sam

[jseyfert3]

What about a jack that mounts on the side of the tongue and rotates up when not in use? Thay wouldn't get in the way of ground clearance or your tailgate.

[desertmoose]

What about a jack that mounts on the side of the tongue and rotates up when not in use? Thay wouldn't get in the way of ground clearance or your tailgate.

I have one of those on my boat trailer, works fine there, but with the tongue box on the tear there's no way to mount one. Besides, I already had the original jack paid for....

Sam

[tony.latham]

That's pretty slick.

I could see the same problem headed my way. I used three 4" pieces of 1/2" steel tubing and 6" bolts to raise the jack up another 4". I thought it might look a bit funky, but in my view, function is beauty. You might be able to see it in this pic:

[jss06]

I use a pipe mount jack. One pin and the jack is removable. It is a little loose but I have never had any issues with it while moving around inside the cabin.

[eamarquardt]

Why not weld or braze a washer or piece of 1/4" bar stock, or ........ to the 1/4" bolts you already have to turn them into thumb screws.

Just a thought.

Cheers,

Gus

[desertmoose]

Why not weld or braze a washer or piece of 1/4" bar stock, or ........ to the 1/4" bolts you already have to turn them into thumb screws.

Just a thought.

Cheers,

Gus

Have done that a lot actually.
I said pick them up (being lazy on typing) Somewhere in the pile I think I have a few 1/4-20 thumbscrews. Just need to dig them out.... (rather than pick them up...)

Sam

[eamarquardt]

Why not weld or braze a washer or piece of 1/4" bar stock, or ........ to the 1/4" bolts you already have to turn them into thumb screws.

Just a thought.

Cheers,

Gus

Have done that a lot actually.
I said pick them up (being lazy on typing) Somewhere in the pile I think I have a few 1/4-20 thumbscrews. Just need to dig them out.... (rather than pick them up...)

Sam

[grantstew8]

I've had the odd problem in the past when the wheel has worked itself loose and lowered onto the road and shredded the little tyre. When we were on holiday in Australia I saw a tongue jack/jockey wheel that rotated. They seem to be called "swing up jockey wheels".

The photo below shows the jack/jockey in the travel position.


Some use a spring locking mechanism, others a bolt and cotter pin
The video shows the spring mechanism about 1 min into the video

[Shadow Catcher]

The coupler and tongue jack are a good bit heavier duty than before the accident and I have had to cut some of the bottom tube off of the tongue jack and use a sand foot rather than a wheel. I do have the wheel in case I need it but have yet to use it. I am a big fan of a 4 1/2" angle grinder and cutoff wheel for shortening things.

[Dale M.]

How about mounting a insert on tongue jack (male - similar to hitch draw bar) and putting a receiver (female) on TD tongue.... Slide it (the jack) in, drop the pin (lock), you have lift, lower it down (on hitch ball), pull the pin and its clear.... Think I see a modification of swivel mount TJ in future as it seem a little rickety...

Dale

[teamredjeep]

Having traveled hundreds of miles off road with a swivel mount jack on side of tongue and still catching the jack foot or handle at different times, removing jack is the best. The new TD we ordered will have a removable jack using a spud mount and pin.

[GlennL]

To Desertmoose,

That, sir, is an elegant solution!

[alaska teardrop]

This Bulldog jack retracts all the way up to the frame & the wheel drops out so that there is nothing to hit the ground.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/b ... -gear-jack

[George Taylor]

I like the idea!