shortening electric tongue jack?

[jeffsw6]

The manual tongue jack on my small trailer broke today, either because I've over-loaded it for years or because I pumped it full of grease a few weeks ago to try to stop it from sticking and screeching. It earned its money anyway.

I have the JET-3500 electric jack on a bigger trailer and it is real nice. Electric A-Frame Tongue Jack - 18" Lift - 3,500 lbs Stromberg Carlson Trailer Jack JET-3500

I am thinking of putting this on the small one also but the retracted height, from mounting plate to bottom of foot, is about 3" taller. Since my small trailer has less ground clearance I believe I will strike speed bumps, etc. with it.

It seems like I could just use a cutting wheel and remove 3" from the jack tubes without any trouble as long as I clean the debris carefully before operating it, and maybe polish the cuts a bit. This will definitely "void the warranty" but is it a smart idea overall?

I can't really find any electric jacks that are much shorter than the JET-3500 and since I already have one and like it.. might as well?

 

[Diamondpilot]

I think it will work but be careful putting any lateral load on it. With less tube it will be easy to bend and bind up.

Chris

 

[flyerdan]

Rather than shorten the jack, could you fabricate a couple of flanges and a piece of larger tubing to raise the mounting point 3"? If you don't mind welding on the trailer it could be even easier with one flange and some angle legs to raise it up 3".

 

[jeffsw6]

I think this is the way I will go. The jack specifications say 30A maximum current draw. I am not sure if my trucks have 30A fuses on the black wires. I might need a battery on the trailer. What is a good way to mount a 27/31 battery box on the tongue without welding? Here is the box I found on etrailer Battery Box - Marine 27/31 Deka Accessories and Parts DW03189

 

[jeffsw6]

I don't own any welding tools or know how to weld. One of those things I should get into someday to save money.

 

[flyerdan]

Since the outer tube comes apart at the flange joint and the foot comes off, you shouldn't have any trouble cutting it down easily and since the nut for the acme screw is at the top of the leg metal shavings shouldn't get up there. I think the 30 amps would be the stall rating, it probably only pulls 10 amps or less normally. As for the battery box, without a welder you're probably limited to drilling holes and using nuts/bolts or pop rivets for the mounting rails and battery box.
Just curious what you're going to use on the bigger trailer that this is from; you might want to just get a cheapy from HF, save all the sawing and additional battery.

 

[jeffsw6]

I am sure you are right, 30A is a little conservative. It does take some juice to break the coupler free from the ball though, especially if it is pulling the truck up at first. I might try it w/o an on-board battery and add one later if necessary.

Just curious what you're going to use on the bigger trailer that this is from; you might want to just get a cheapy from HF, save all the sawing and additional battery.

I know I could get another cheap, manual one; but it sure is nice not having to crank and crank to get a trailer off the truck at the end of a long day (or night.) I am not going to take one off my big trailer, I am just going to buy a second electric jack.

I might go with this model that says 8.5" retracted length below the flange as it should work without any modifications. Pro Series Powered A-Frame Jack - Fixed Leg - 18" Lift - 2,500 lbs Pro Series Trailer Jack PS500198 I will have to give it some thought, as the higher lift capacity would seem less likely to wear out under my heavy use. I tow this trailer 100+ days a year.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I think this is the way I will go. The jack specifications say 30A maximum current draw. I am not sure if my trucks have 30A fuses on the black wires. I might need a battery on the trailer. What is a good way to mount a 27/31 battery box on the tongue without welding? Here is the box I found on etrailer Battery Box - Marine 27/31 Deka Accessories and Parts DW03189

That is a standard marine battery box. I buy them all the time at Menards for $10 or so. Have 2 new ones sitting in the shop right now.

Chris