Trailer jack

[phil0044]

I had to replace my trailer jack. A brand new 26M boat and trailer delivered July 2008 and after one short season the jack seized. I replaced it with a Fulton 1500 which can be removed for repair/maintenance/replacement unlike the welded useless jack that is now on the trailer. Also I had to replace the side fender trailer lights as the screws that hold the faceplate were so rusted I could not open the unit to replace the bulb. Anyone else experience these problems? What is the expected life for a trailer jack?

[Chinook]

The tongue jack on my 2002 X trailer provided good service, until I overloaded it while trying to raise the boat up off the trailer bunks to apply antifouling wax last year. After I chucked out the stripped parts I ran across some ideas on this site for rebuilding/repairing the jack. Too late for me by then, but you may want to search for that thread if you still have all your parts. I installed a clamp on/swing up jack to take over the job. It's the second one I've had. The first one lasted about 3 years before rusting out internally. I'm on my second season with the new one. The internal gears seem vulnerable to corrosion.

[aya16]

This is what I installed 4 years ago and havent looked back since. No more cranking, plugs into a 12 volt plug I installed at the back of the truck.
http://www.towshop.com/store/pc/viewPrd ... ategory=86
Mike

[SkiDeep2001]

Phil, you might think about switching to LED lights. Long life , less hassle.

[pokerrick1]

This is what I installed 4 years ago and havent looked back since. No more cranking, plugs into a 12 volt plug I installed at the back of the truck.
http://www.towshop.com/store/pc/viewPrd ... ategory=86
Mike

Man MIke - - - that's the height of laziness - - - and you aren't even as old as me

Rick

[KayakDan]

Phil,
You're not alone on this one. My trailer is going on it's 4th season,and it's like a needy child. Just replaced the jack last week,replaced the winch last year,both tires as well. Swapped over to all LED's when the lights started to crap out.Rust control is an ongoing(and losing) battle. Next up,a complete traailer rewiring-followed by the purchase of a dual axle galv trailer-so I can spend some time sailing!

[Terry]

The tongue jack on my 2002 X trailer provided good service, until I overloaded it while trying to raise the boat up off the trailer bunks to apply antifouling wax last year. After I chucked out the stripped parts I ran across some ideas on this site for rebuilding/repairing the jack. Too late for me by then, but you may want to search for that thread if you still have all your parts. I installed a clamp on/swing up jack to take over the job. It's the second one I've had. The first one lasted about 3 years before rusting out internally. I'm on my second season with the new one. The internal gears seem vulnerable to corrosion.

I did the very same thing and bent the heck out of the wheel base, got a new one and did it agin, didn't learn the first time so now I need a third one. I also had the internal screw seize on me but I was able to take it apart, regrease and oil it then re-assemble it and now it works so I always keep adding new grease and oil down the top cap to prevent future occurences. I also bought one of those goofy bolt on Fulton jacks and found it does not work very well, the clamps do not hold up, they just bend and twist instead of raising the tougue.
Now that I have the boat off the trailer I plan to re-furbish the trailer, clean up the rust spots and replace all rusted bolts and washers with SS ones. I even had the bunks pop off after the holes were rotted by the rusty screws, which also need replacing. I have one of the older style M trailers with the six bolt wheels and bigger brake rotors and bearings rated for 5000 # so I think I will try to salvage/restore it.

[Andy26M]

My original trailer jack lasted 3 seasons. In the spring after the third winter, the wheel had sunk in the mud over the winter - rather than dig it out, I tried just jacking the tongue up with a regular car jack - I heard a metallic "pop" and the trailer came up ok - without the wheel or internals of the jack...

So I replaced it with a bolt on heavy-duty model which is doing fine after 2 years. The useless tube from the original jack is still welded there on the trailer...

Andy

[SkiDeep2001]

Most of those jack wheels are worthless except to roll your tongue a few inches to get on the hitch ball, if needed. After replacing those things numerous times over the years on 4Winns, Caulkins and EZ Loader trailers I said to heck with this. Now I just back the trailer to where I want the to sit and with no wheel just set the tube on 10"-12"diameter straight cut fireplace log with a piece of metal between the two. Voila, no more stuck, bent or broken wheels. After 40 years of backing the trucks to trailers, if I can't get close enough to drop the tongue right on ball I should just retire to the home for...., well, you know what I mean.