tongue jack question

[johnbottsr]

I have an older Metal Craft tandem axle trailer for my Crestliner Phantom 216 and need to replace the tongue jack (it is pretty wore out).
Now, I don't know what the tongue weight is exactly which doesn't help, but my real question is about the mounting.
The current jack is mounted with a large C-clip.
Do the newer jacks generally accommodate this or is it a special feature?

 

[colbyt]

Re: tongue jack question

All the newer ones I have seen use two plates, two small channels and 4 bolts. The minimum is about 1000 pounds. The small c channels are on the other side of the tongue in this image: Fulton Xp10 1000lb Trailer Tongue Jack XP10 0101 - iboats

 

[Jonnybbad]

Re: tongue jack question

This page has a great rundown of how to check your tongue weight with a common bathroom scale: Measuring trailer tongue weight with a bathroom scale.

I am unfamiliar with your type of jack. Another option, if you're up to it, is to put new gears in it (if you can trace your sloppiness to this cause anyways). I discovered that that is where the slop was in mine when I took the top cap off (a fulton 1500lb unit). The rebuild kit from fulton was $15 and $3 to ship from etrailer dot com. It wasn't very hard to do in my opinion. If you decide to replace the jack you may end up having to use a more generic mounting style. You might like to look at some catalogs to help sort through the options. Fulton make a decent product. Cequent Automotive Towing and Cargo Securing Product Catalogs and Literature

 

[jetboater]

Re: tongue jack question

Your jack with the C clip mount is very common on trailers when the jack is factory mounted -- it's likely a Dutton-Lainson brand
Here's their website-- if your jack is still being made, they sell repair parts, if not, you can buy a replacement jack that would use tour current frame C clip mount.

Dutton-Lainson Company

 

[johnbottsr]

Re: tongue jack question

Thanks for the info guys.
Now I feel dumb as Hell.
It never occurred to me to actually look the jack over to see who made it.
I just assumed it was from the trailer manufacturer.

I just ran out and looked and it is an Atwood product (from the stamp on the metal cap).

The sticker is gone but that gives me something to go on.

Never even thought about just rebuilding the thing.

 

[tazrig]

Re: tongue jack question

Depending on what you're willing to spend you can save your back a whole lot of strain and go with an electric to save you the cranking up and down such as this:

Trac Outdoor PowerJack Electrical Trailer Jacks | Bass Pro Shops

There are many others, better quality, more capacity. If you're interested just google "electric boat trailer jacks" there are plenty to choose from.

 

[johnbottsr]

Re: tongue jack question

Depending on what you're willing to spend you can save your back a whole lot of strain and go with an electric to save you the cranking up and down such as this:

Trac Outdoor PowerJack Electrical Trailer Jacks | Bass Pro Shops

There are many others, better quality, more capacity. If you're interested just google "electric boat trailer jacks" there are plenty to choose from.

That isn't that bad a price but the two people who have reviewed it didn't exactly sing its praises.
On the other hand, an electric jack would make a thoughtful present for my wife on her birthday . . .

 

[tazrig]

Re: tongue jack question

That isn't that bad a price but the two people who have reviewed it didn't exactly sing its praises.
On the other hand, an electric jack would make a thoughtful present for my wife on her birthday . . .

Just giving that one as an example. Since you're getting it for your wife you'll naturally want to get her one of the best such as:

Power Jacks - Atwood Mobile

I bought an atwood 1,500lb. capacity with the side mount for my trailer 2 years ago and it's worked great! So easy at the end of the day, just plug it into the back of your tow vehicle and press a button. Unfortunately they no longer make them with the side mount but the company said any auto body shop can just take the mount you have now and weld it on the jack for you.

 

[Jonnybbad]

Re: tongue jack question

OP - I'd be curious to see what you have. Is it like this one? Fold Up Trailer Jacks : Attwood Marine

I've been trying harder and harder over the years to save money where I can. Rebuilding, repairing, and buying used are all parts of the equation (I am nuturing a healthy craigslist addiction). I didn't immediately consider fixing my jack either. I didn't even consider that parts would be available. It took a little thinking and digging, but I did happily find that there were certainly parts available for my jack. I feel we live in a throw away world today, and that's sad and wasteful in my opinion.