Proper jack for drop axel tailer

[Florida sail]

Hey Guys,
Yesterday I discovered that I had a real low tire on my trailer. When I attempted to use my bottle jack I discovered that the trailer was to low for me to use the bottle jack on the axel or the spring hanger. When I tried to raise it on the frame the spring action would not permit enough height at full extension . Fortunately I was in my driveway and I used my floor jack under the axel to remove the tire. I'm glad this did not happen last week on the road when I travelled from FL to NH. Any ideas?
>>ron<<

 

[RanAweigh]

Take a look at "Easy Lift". simple, cheap Even sold at Wal-Mart

 

[Ray T]

I have used a scissor jack from my truck with no problem.

 

[kendall]

If there is a you-pull auto parts around you, some cars have jacks that will go down as low as two inches. Older shove-er-away's used to have a jack that looked like the offspring of a bumper and scissor jack that was pretty handy. Low, stable, and quicker than the scissor type.

Ken.

 

[Rick Webb]

This is Somthing I Always Point Out in Trailering Portions of Our Safe Boating Classes

A quick solution is to pull the wheel up on to somthing to make it higher your chock or even the spare tire to get the space you need under the axle.

 

[Hawk4661]

Thnak you Rick for taking time to share your experiences.....mark<><

 

[Rick Webb]

Somthing else That is Often Overlooked

Make sure you have a lugwrench that fits the lugnuts on your trailer. There are so many different sizes now it is likely the one from your tow vehicle does not fit.

 

[Florida sail]

Thanks for the comebacks

Everybody,

Thanks for the input on my situatuion. Is purchased a 1.5 ton scissor jack which was not adequate for lifting Serenity. I since have purchased a 2 Ton mini floor jack which works great.

>>ron<<
S/V Serenity

 

[okawbow]

Everybody,

Thanks for the input on my situatuion. Is purchased a 1.5 ton scissor jack which was not adequate for lifting Serenity. I since have purchased a 2 Ton mini floor jack which works great.

>>ron<<
S/V Serenity

I'll second the floor jack option. I was driving back on the interstate last week with my boat and trailer, when I lost a wheel bearing. With my floor jack; I was able to jack the axle up and chain it to the frame. That allowed me to drive on to the next town on my remaining axle, and get a new bearing set. I'd hate to think what it would have cost to be towed in, or repaired on the road.

 

[sinnettc]

I'll second the floor jack option. I was driving back on the interstate last week with my boat and trailer, when I lost a wheel bearing. With my floor jack; I was able to jack the axle up and chain it to the frame. That allowed me to drive on to the next town on my remaining axle, and get a new bearing set. I'd hate to think what it would have cost to be towed in, or repaired on the road.

You trailer sail a Bristol Corsair 24?! That's a lot of lead you're towing behind you. Dad had an early 70's model when I was growing up. We'd spend at least a week, sometimes two, sailing Long Island Sound and later the Maine coast each summer. He sold it about 8 years ago and upgraded to an 80's Pearson 34. It was in pristine condition when he sold it.

Chris

 

[okawbow]

You trailer sail a Bristol Corsair 24?! That's a lot of lead you're towing behind you. Dad had an early 70's model when I was growing up. We'd spend at least a week, sometimes two, sailing Long Island Sound and later the Maine coast each summer. He sold it about 8 years ago and upgraded to an 80's Pearson 34. It was in pristine condition when he sold it.

Chris

It's really not that hard to do with a big enough truck. I have a F350 ford pickup that handles it easily. I custom built my trailer to take the load. It launches with an extention, and floats off and on easily. I've trailered it several thousand miles with no problems untill the other day, when I hit some huge pot holes in Indiana, and broke a bearing. I caught it before the wheel came off and before it caught fire.