I cranked the jack up to hitch up our Mac today but just as I was getting it high enough I heard a pop and the crank started turning freely. Seems the gear on the crank lost some teeth. Anyone else had issues with the jack? I've never really like the built in one. (wheel drags on ramps, etc)
Anyone replaced the jack? With what?
Broken Trailer Jack
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Kaceys ' Charm
- Just Enlisted
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2008 3:01 pm
- Location: 2007 26M 50hp Tohatsu Lancaster, NY
On a related topic. I lost the trailer brake lockout piece. Anyone know where to get a replacement. My tow vehicle is a 2007 Honda Pilot. It was too big of a pain to wire the backup light electric lockout. Plus its a lease vehicle. I used a woodworking clamp today but would like a better solution. I checked all the local trailer and RV stores no luck.
I had my internal gears on the jack disintegrate. I never cared for the setup anyway. I just removed the whole assembly. It took a while with an angle grinder. I smoothed it done to the frame, painted over and put a universal type jack with wheel. I am pretty happy with the setup, just make sure you chock it as it tend to move around on a slope.
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Phillip
- First Officer
- Posts: 330
- Joined: Fri Nov 26, 2004 11:49 pm
- Location: Sunshine Coast Australia 2000 26X Tohatsu 50hp
Before you go removing the jack or guessing you have done teeth, take the cap off the top of the jack and have a look inside.
There is a good chance you have sheered the pin off, that attach's one of the cogs to the handle you turn.
If the pin has gone and the handle free-wheels, be very carelful, and dig around in the grease for the 'missing' bits of pin....don't want them getting between the teeth of the cogs later.
If the pin has sheered, then you will find you can remove the handle real easy, and you will find the whole thing is pretty easy to re-assemble and re-pin.
From my experience, this happens when you over-wind the handle.....jack is full 'out' and you keep winding.
As for the missing bracket holding the wheel on. Get a bolt with a wing nut and use that.
Best to remove the wheel, otherwise 1st decent bump and you won't have to worry about the Mac-Jack again.
Cheers
Phillip
There is a good chance you have sheered the pin off, that attach's one of the cogs to the handle you turn.
If the pin has gone and the handle free-wheels, be very carelful, and dig around in the grease for the 'missing' bits of pin....don't want them getting between the teeth of the cogs later.
If the pin has sheered, then you will find you can remove the handle real easy, and you will find the whole thing is pretty easy to re-assemble and re-pin.
From my experience, this happens when you over-wind the handle.....jack is full 'out' and you keep winding.
As for the missing bracket holding the wheel on. Get a bolt with a wing nut and use that.
Best to remove the wheel, otherwise 1st decent bump and you won't have to worry about the Mac-Jack again.
Cheers
Phillip
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pokerrick1
- Admiral
- Posts: 2269
- Joined: Sun Aug 27, 2006 7:20 pm
- Sailboat: Venture 23
- Location: Las Vegas, NV (Henderson, near Lake Mead)
However
HOWEVER I have found that if you do hit that bump and the tounge comes off the hitch while underway - - - the trailer (sans boat thankfully) will ride very nicely on the highway for about 40 yards or more, leaving in it's wake a nifty looking black streak of rubber from the spare tire upon which it has been riding (true story). 
Rick
Rick
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puggsy
- Captain
- Posts: 571
- Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 1:30 am
- Sailboat: Venture 25
- Location: MACLESS but not quite BOATLESS in Perth Western Australia
TRAILER JACK
I'm fitting a second 'universal'jack forward of the MAC [ welded on] one.
One will assist the other...So if either break, i will not be stuck. also carry a hydraulic one in the ute. Just in case!!!
One will assist the other...So if either break, i will not be stuck. also carry a hydraulic one in the ute. Just in case!!!
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tangentair
- Admiral
- Posts: 1234
- Joined: Mon Jan 22, 2007 11:59 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Highland Park, IL ...07M...Merc 50 BF...Mila K
I keep my in the side yard which is not too level, sans wheel I use a concrete block or two to level things out. I found that running the jack all the way up when things are slightly out of level will cause it to bind and bend requiring lots of grease to get it to free up and start working again. The jack is under rated for the weight in my opinion. When it fails, I will - like others have posted - grind it off and replace it with something substantial. The last time I looked jacks were relatively inexpensive. I also keep a real 2 ton jack in the ute (do utes have boots?) and have a membership in BoatUS's trailer club. One or the other should get the job done.
in the side yard which is not too level, sans wheel I use a concrete block or two to level things out. I found that running the jack all the way up when things are slightly out of level will cause it to bind and bend requiring lots of grease to get it to free up and start working again. The jack is under rated for the weight in my opinion. When it fails, I will - like others have posted - grind it off and replace it with something substantial. The last time I looked jacks were relatively inexpensive. I also keep a real 2 ton jack in the ute (do utes have boots?) and have a membership in BoatUS's trailer club. One or the other should get the job done.-
Phillip
- First Officer
- Posts: 330
- Joined: Fri Nov 26, 2004 11:49 pm
- Location: Sunshine Coast Australia 2000 26X Tohatsu 50hp
Here is an idea for you pugsy.
The best arrangement I have had thru so far had the second jack (jockey wheel) not forward of the factory one, but behind.
It was a fold away type, and when in the horrizontal, the wheel neatly tucked up against the begining of the "V"
The factory one had its wheel removed and acted as a post.
Very very handy.
Had I kept this one I would have had a 6" square plate welded to a 4" long pipe that would fit over the factory jack in place of the wheel.
The spare wheel was also mounted nicely rear of the ladder.
It gave a good clear uncluttered area around the ladder.
I have never been able to move a Mac on its trailer very far with the jockey wheel. It is all just too heavy and even the larger jockey's don't carry the weight too well, especially when they are extended up a bit.
Cheers
Phillip
The best arrangement I have had thru so far had the second jack (jockey wheel) not forward of the factory one, but behind.
It was a fold away type, and when in the horrizontal, the wheel neatly tucked up against the begining of the "V"
The factory one had its wheel removed and acted as a post.
Very very handy.
Had I kept this one I would have had a 6" square plate welded to a 4" long pipe that would fit over the factory jack in place of the wheel.
The spare wheel was also mounted nicely rear of the ladder.
It gave a good clear uncluttered area around the ladder.
I have never been able to move a Mac on its trailer very far with the jockey wheel. It is all just too heavy and even the larger jockey's don't carry the weight too well, especially when they are extended up a bit.
Cheers
Phillip