Raising trailer tongue higher than standard jack

T.R. Bauer · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 9:17 am Post subject:

I admit it, I like to work with steel and to weld. I had the same problem and I simply made an bracket that lowers the placement of the jack on the trailer - thus giving more usable lift. It was very simple to do. BTW, if I could figure out how to post a picture, I would show you my really cool cooler mount I made last weekend.....

localboy · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 9:53 am Post subject:

Same problem here Warren. I store the boat on a big piece of laminated beam; it's MUCH stonger than the jack. But I have to do the multi-step method in order to get it high enough.

matt_unique · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 10:02 am Post subject: Jack

While the trailer is still on the truck retract the jack all the way to it's lowest point, place some wood underneath, then crank it up. Does this not provide sufficient lift height?

This is what I do with Napoleon.

You could also do this process above after backing the truck onto some wood with the trailer still connected (thus elevating the whole thing) before you start cranking. You'll need to repeat this in order to set the trailer back down on your hitch but it's not too difficult.

Perhaps I'm missing something....

Grumpy · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 11:00 am Post subject:

Warren,

I'm sure that Tom could find you a house with a level driveway Laughing

I have a similar problem in some situations as I use a weight distribution hitch which can be very difficult to disconnect if the truck and trailer are not at the same angle.

You might also consider that by tilting the boat you are loading the rear axle and tires which may not be a good thing for long term parking.

Merv

localboy · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 12:30 pm Post subject:

I guess I need to add a caveat; I used to have to raise the bow of the boat on the tailer so the cockpit would/could drain. My parking pad is level but even at full extension, the boat canted forward. The issue then became water pooling at the front of the cockpit and cit ould eventually leak into the cabin through the bottom of the door. In order to rectify this:
-I could raise the bow/trailer tongue Thumbs Up

-I could move to someplace drier Thumbs Down

unrealistic
-I could park the boat under a roof. Thumbs Down

nope
-I could use the boat more Rolling Eyes

I iwish
-I could buy a cover Thumbs Up

bingo

Don and Brenda · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 12:44 pm Post subject:

I solved this problem with a bulldozer, 10 yards of gravel and a boat cover, i hope the expense was worth it, but then again I have not seen the boat since October.

Doryman · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 1:14 pm Post subject: Re: Jack

matt_unique · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 1:22 pm Post subject: Re: Jack

Doryman · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 1:25 pm Post subject: Re: Jack

localboy · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 1:43 pm Post subject:

Don and Brenda · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 1:56 pm Post subject:

My cover has worked great for 2 seasons now, the bow is pointed into the prevailing wind, stays nice and dry with no flapping. Before I added the gravel in the boat space, I too had the tires on 2x10 pressure treated lumber, worked great, then used one of those large 18x18 stepping stones from the hardware store under the front jack

DaveS · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 4:09 pm Post subject: Re: Jack

matt_unique · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 7:07 pm Post subject: Ditto

Just what I had in mind DaveS - the wood could be placed against or better yet 2' behind the rear tires to give you a little inertia to elevate the rear-end without spinning the tires or lugging the engine.

I do the same with Napoleon when necessary.

RProffer · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 7:35 pm Post subject:

I had a similar problem with a boat I had many years ago. I found the solution when the tongue broke. Come to find out, the boat was too far forward on the trailer. I moved the boat back about a foot on the trailer, and that solved a whole bunch of problems. Tongue weight was better, bumper higher off the ground, and the bilge was now draining, etc.

Will-C

Warren,
I would try to retract the jack you have all the way up while you are connected to the truck. Measure what that distance is from the bottom of the wheel of the jack to the ground. Build a wooden box out of 2 x 6's (4 x 4's in you have boo koo tongue weight)a foot square or 18" square to the height you require with a small area on top framed out the size of your trailer jack wheel so the wheel has to stay put. Back the truck in throw the box under your trailer jack wheel winder up. I built one our center console years back worked like a champ. It got me the extra height to drain the boat naturally. Maybe this would work for you.
D.D.
D.D.