Trailer jack

[stand4d37]

Hey guys, Im new to this forum and this is my first post. First of all, im trying to get my boat to the point that everything is working well and functional. I have already done a lot of work to it just to make it look nice, but it always seems like there are little things that just bug me. So here it is...my trailer jack is very hard to jack up, but coming down it is easy.

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz244/stand4d37/Boat/boat3.jpg

So does anybody have any advice to make this work better? I took the cover off the top and there is a gearing system up there. Do i just need some grease or is there more to it? Or does it just need to be replaced? thanks in advance, Jared

 

[msojjo]

Re: Trailer jack

I'd say just go out and purchase a new one, make sure that you buy one that handles the right amout of weight of the boat/trailer, and some gear. Otherwise, you could try and throw some grease into the gearing on top, nothing to really loose. I just had a jack on my travel trailer that for what ever reason was hard to jack up, but easy to come down and no amount of grease seemed to help, something else was wrong, like the gears were binding. Good luck

 

[Mr Crabbs]

Re: Trailer jack

If there is nothing wrong with the gears and the alignment seems good I suspect you're just fighting gravity.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Trailer jack

I pack mine with grease and it works O.K., but you might need a heavier duty one from Northern Tools or similar place that would make for easier cranking, they just bolt on and off, so easy to change, and they're not very expensive. Years ago when Ford Model T's were started with a crank and they didn't want to start up on a cold morning it would make the operator angry and they were called, "cranky". now you know the rest of the story! Good Luck!

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Trailer jack

When the trailer is hitched up does the jack then go both ways easy?

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Trailer jack

Sounds like gravity, my 6 year old loves to crank the jack down but he has to give it his all to crank it back up.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Trailer jack

Hey guys, Im new to this forum and this is my first post. First of all, im trying to get my boat to the point that everything is working well and functional. I have already done a lot of work to it just to make it look nice, but it always seems like there are little things that just bug me. So here it is...my trailer jack is very hard to jack up, but coming down it is easy.

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz244/stand4d37/Boat/boat3.jpg

So does anybody have any advice to make this work better? I took the cover off the top and there is a gearing system up there. Do i just need some grease or is there more to it? Or does it just need to be replaced? thanks in advance, Jared

Replace it. They are not repairable.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Trailer jack

I have one exactly like that on my 20' Chap, I like the way it swings up for travel, definately clean and re-grease the worm gear it makes all the difference, mine is a little wearing out and getting loose around the main snap ring.

 

[marlboro180]

Re: Trailer jack

If you feel like putting new gears in it, here are some to look at:

http://www.google.com/products?hl=e...esult_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CDsQrQQwAg

 

[stand4d37]

Re: Trailer jack

Thanks for the advice..

Jeeperman: Yes, when there is no load on the jack it goes easily both ways.

Do you guys think that I need a jack that can handle more weight, or is this one sufficient for the weight...but just getting worn out?

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Trailer jack

Either it's worn out or your worn out, only you can decide. lol
seriously, it's should be easy enough for a 5yr old to crank.

 

[The Hammer]

Re: Trailer jack

Looks like the same Made in China piece of crap I have, from new it never cranked right, then one day this summer it broke the shear pin inside and left me stranded, I put a new shear pin in it (nice and tight) and it cranks good now, so I would say with the loose shear pin it came with made the gears mis aligned thus hard to crank, worth checking.

 

[stand4d37]

Re: Trailer jack

Thanks Hammer I'll check that out. If not ill probably end up forking out the cash for a new one. Just want to make sure I dont end up buying another piece of junk, and end up the same as now.

 

[Treager]

Re: Trailer jack

There are a few issues with trailer jacks that determine how well it cranks up or down.
The gear system at the top usually has 2 gears. Depending on well they are matched will contribute to how easy or how hard it is to crank up an down. Usually they are sintered metal parts, and if they are not meshed well, you can have broken teeth, etc. Ensuring those gears mesh well also involves how well the crank handle is mounted into the top of the jack.
The other part is the actual shaft gear that goes into the tube. If there aren't relatively tight tolerances for fit, it can add resistance when cranking (you also have to be careful when reaching the top of the jack travel, some vendors only crimp the threads at the bottom of the worm gear to prevent over cranking. When under load, it is possible to crank past the "crimp" reforming the threads and jacking the shaft gear out of the tube)
The best bet is purchase a jack that allows you to grease the top fittings and has a grease fitting apply grease to the shaft gear.
(I would also avoid any of the jacks that use a split ring to mount the tube to the mounting bracket - highest point of stress on trailer jacks).

You should be able to tell a good quality jack by cranking is up and down a few times at the store. If the cranking action is smooth, it should be fine. If the cranking seems loose and somewhat erratic, you may want to try another jack.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Trailer jack

Hey guys, Im new to this forum and this is my first post. First of all, im trying to get my boat to the point that everything is working well and functional. I have already done a lot of work to it just to make it look nice, but it always seems like there are little things that just bug me. So here it is...my trailer jack is very hard to jack up, but coming down it is easy.

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz244/stand4d37/Boat/boat3.jpg

So does anybody have any advice to make this work better? I took the cover off the top and there is a gearing system up there. Do i just need some grease or is there more to it? Or does it just need to be replaced? thanks in advance, Jared

Mine has a grease fitting at the top so I just grease it ever once in a while.