Trailer Jack Type

[samuelm]

My Burro currently has a broken side-mounted trailer jack. Thinking of going to an a-frame type jack mounted just behind the receiver. Any reason to choose one over the other? The a-frame seems more balanced because it's centered.


'79 Burro, Rochester NY

[War Eagle]

Samuel, Center-mount jacks are often located closer to the trailer coupler and therefore located physically closer to the tow vehicle. I'm not sure what you tow with, but if it has a drop down tailgate or a lift-up rear hatch, make sure that where you would mount a center-mount jack, that neither the jack shaft itself nor the jack handle will interfere with dropping the tailgate or lifting the rear hatch. Other than that, given the relatively light weight of a small Burro, I imagine both jack styles would serve you well.

[ajdemo76]

We recently upgraded to a 2" coupler with an A frame jack. Also had some additional welding reinforcement done. We went with "The Ultimate Jack" and love it! There's a goofy demo video on their site if you want to look into these.


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[mary and bob]

Just take into consideration the length the jack tube extends below the a-frame (retracted length).

[samuelm]

Ajdemo, that jack looks like it could be the best of both worlds - allowing clearance and tailgate while mounting in the center (the least stressful on the frame). Does the handle flip down? Does it take standard feet?


'79 Burro, Rochester NY

[cpaharley2008]

I like the removable type jack, found here Jack-E-Up
allows opening your tailgate.

[Morganza]

I have one of these Ultimate Jacks and like it a lot, except that the wheel foot that came with my 2014 Scamp doesn't fit. It's way too tight to slide onto the jack tube. The standard foot fits fine, but it has a thinner wall than the wheel foot. I bought another wheel foot and it was too tight also. I haven't looked further into solving this, but I do need the wheel foot, so for now I've removed the Ultimate Jack and replaced it with the original Scamp jack. I may try to figure this out later, when I run out of things to do.

[Roger C H]

We have a side mount (and a center mount). I anticipated what could happen with the side mount and it did. Backing into a tight spot, I jack knifed too much and punctured the car with the handle. I don't know why they don't make the handle folding.



You can see how the handle sticks out. When the jack is in the folded (up) position, the handle still sticks out.



The inevitable result.


If and when I get a wheel for the center jack, the side one is gone.

[samuelm]

Roger... That's really unfortunate and it makes me want to go center jack. The tailgate/bottoming out concern is solved with the ultimate jack. Is anyone aware of any brick and mortar retailers that sell it?


'79 Burro, Rochester NY

[Borrego Dave]

I've had both center and side mount jacks. The clamp on side mounts have always tended to lean outwards because they are cheap. A welded on sleeve for a side mount won't do that and you can weld it just far enough back so your tailgate will clear it.

[redbarron55]

I installed the ultimate jack and I haven't traveled with it, it seems great!
Works easily and can be removed or raised and lowered.


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[Clayton]

I did a 2" Atwood coupler with a center mount jack. Works perfectly, no issues opening and closing the tailgate on my car. The trailer is more stable with the center mount jack down as well (compared to the original side mount jack).

[samuelm]

The trailer has a broken welded on side mount type I think. I will probably leave the mount ring but switch to center. It seems like with the center there would be less stress on the frame with a couple of people walking around in the trailer.


'79 Burro, Rochester NY

[mary and bob]

[QUOT. It seems like with the center there would be less stress on the frame with a couple of people walking around in the trailer.


'79 Burro, Rochester NY[/QUOTE]

I use stabilizers on all 4 corners, with both our Uhaul and Casita

[samuelm]

Good point... The only time this may happen is when it's connected to the vehicle anyway, which is center supported at the hitch.


'79 Burro, Rochester NY

[ajdemo76]

Hey Samuel, the ultimate jack has a foot or wheel that you can hook up to it. The handle does fold up or if you really want to get the thing out of the way, pull the pin on the foot and pull the whole jack out.


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[War Eagle]

I, also, am a big fan of stabilizers on all four corners when both camping and storing. It reduces "wobble when you walk" in the front end of the camper, takes stress off the tongue portion of the frame and the jack and, with just a bit extra lift when storing, maybe a little stress off the suspension (which might not actually lengthen the life of the suspension, but it makes me feel like I'm trying to be a good camper owner).