Question About Trailer Jacks

[Long Mike]

I have a 2004 Tracker 18 footer.  I am no longer a young man, but can still, with great effort, lift the trailer off its jack, so I figure the tongue weight at about 100 lbs.  As I age, I am having more and more difficulty in cranking the trailer up with the existing jack.  Knowing Tracker, I figure that they installed the cheapest jack they could find, so I figure that it is rated for 400 lbs.  So here's my question.  Because I have an engineering background I figure that if I replace the existing jack with one rated for 1000 lbs or greater, the cranking effort for me would be much less, because the jack is geared to lift a much greater amount of weight while still being cranked up with the same one human power as on my existing jack.  Am I correct in my assumption, or does it require more of a he-man to operate the crank on a jack having a higher weight rating?

[slonezp]

Can you say electric?

[slonezp]

http://www.towshop.com/store/pc/Atwood-Electric-Marine-Jack-p355.htm#.VB-F3th0xqM

[Jig Man]

Can you say electric?

Mike you need to check them out.  My grandson got me one for Christmas last year.  I love it.  My boat is too heavy for one with a wheel but an electric with a wheel should be real good for you. I have been seeing them at marine dealers in this area.  They are a bit pricey but they are nice.

[Long Mike]

Yes, I can say eclectic, but that wasn't the answer to my question.  Regardless, I appreciate the input from both of you.

[Glenn]

I simply replaced mine with a new one that was rated the same when mine became difficult to use.  It made a HUGE difference! Now it's a breeze.

 

And yes, I regularly greased the old one like I was supposed to, but that didn't seem to help.

[Fishing Rhino]

The ratings for trailer jacks not only involve their weight capacity, but also the gearing.  So the answer to your question is yes, a higher capacity trailer jack will lift your trailer with less effort.

 

This may be a practical, simple solution.

 

First, clean and re-lube the gears, and the tubes that telescope.  Then, cut your handle so you can make it longer by inserting the ends of the cut handle into a tube, and weld them in place.  That will increase the leverage, making it easier to operate the jacking procedure.  Do a careful check first to make sure that nothing will interfere with the lengthened crank.

[desmobob]

My 2014 Tracker Pro17 came with a pretty nice trailer... I wouldn't say they skimped.  It is galvanized and painted, has a foldaway tongue, big 13" wheels w/radial tires, retractable safety cables, and a 1000lb. tongue jack.

 

I'm no longer a young man, either, and recently hurt my back.  But I have no problems cranking up the trailer tongue with the 1000lb. jack.  I use an alignment aid to back up to my trailer solo, and it is a simple, non-strenuous matter to get the boat hooked up and ready to go.

 

A new jack might make things easier for you.

 

Tight lines,

Bob

[BassnChris]

What you purpose and Tom states.......makes sense to me.......if you want to try just another jack.......you can have the one I have on my gate that I no longer need. ;-)

[Long Mike]

Thanks for the input guys.  I am now the proud owner of a new 1000 lb. jack.  The difference is amazing.  I no longer feel like a decrepit old man. 

[desmobob]

Glad to hear it worked out well!

 

Growing old is not for the faint of heart.  It hurts to realize you can't do all the things you used to... heck, the trailer for my first boat, a 1975 16' Glastron tri-hull with 65HP Merc outboard, didn't have ANY jack.  And I never thought I needed one.  Times have changed!

 

Tight lines,

Bob

[Fishing Rhino]

Thanks for the input guys.  I am now the proud owner of a new 1000 lb. jack.  The difference is amazing.  I no longer feel like a decrepit old man. 

 

Thanks for the reply.  One of my pet peeves is that some ask for advice, then never post to let us know how they made out.