Trailer support jackstands for (un)loading??

[kebo]

I'm looking for some adjustable "jackstands" that can be welded to the rear of the trailer so when my trailer is not hooked up to a vehicle, I can still load or unload it. Yeah, a lot of trailers have supports welded integral onto the loading ramps. My trailer has a drive on tailgate and it's already heavy enough and I don't want to go adding more metal to it. So, if I could find some adjustable jackstands to weld to the rear of the trailer, and just drop them and pin them in at the height I need, that would let me drive on/off the trailer without the front end of the trailer flying up off the ground. Does tractor supply carry some? If I had a machine shop at my disposal, I know I could have some made pretty easy but wanted to see what was already available first. Thanks!

Keith

 

[Diamondpilot]

We have used 2 of these on a trailer with good results. This one is a weld on but you can also get a bolt on. If you do not have a welder take them with the trailer to a local muffler shop and give the guy $10 to weld them on. The reason I say muffler shop is every town has one and you say you do not have access to a machine/welding shop. I like the weld on ones because there is usually not enough flat room on the back sides of trailers to bolt them on.

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Chris

 

[SnowRidge]

You can get the same thing at Tractor Supply. I have only welded one of theirs onto the tongue of a trailer, but a good friend of mine welded two onto the rear of his trailer to support it while unloading. They work fine, as DP indicated.

In case it's not obvious, the jack pivots up 90 degrees for storage.

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

I've also seen a setup like a receiver hitch, only vertical with multiple holes for setting heights.
6" long piece of 2" square tube welded to side of trailer, then piece of 1 1/2" tube that would slide in it with 3 or 4 holes drilled to adjust height. then pin it in place.

 

[weldingisfun]

I've also seen a setup like a receiver hitch, only vertical with multiple holes for setting heights.
6" long piece of 2" square tube welded to side of trailer, then piece of 1 1/2" tube that would slide in it with 3 or 4 holes drilled to adjust height. then pin it in place.

I did that to a welding trailer. I welded them onto all four corners to provide a steady platform when not hooked to a towing vehicle. Works great.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I've also seen a setup like a receiver hitch, only vertical with multiple holes for setting heights.
6" long piece of 2" square tube welded to side of trailer, then piece of 1 1/2" tube that would slide in it with 3 or 4 holes drilled to adjust height. then pin it in place.

Your solution would be great and simple but he indicated in his first post he did not have access to a machine/fab shop in his area. I was going the easiest route for him. I even suggested taking the trailer and jacks to a muffler shop to have them welded on since it seems like he does not have a lot of services in his area.

Chris

 

[kebo]

Your solution would be great and simple but he indicated in his first post he did not have access to a machine/fab shop in his area. I was going the easiest route for him. I even suggested taking the trailer and jacks to a muffler shop to have them welded on since it seems like he does not have a lot of services in his area.

Chris

Chris, sorry I gave you (and others) the wrong impression. There are a number of machine/welding shops in my area, I would just have to pay through the nose to have something custom made. Erik has the same idea that I'm looking for. I want a square tube maybe 2" dia by about 16" long that has smaller square tube inside it. There would be holes about every inch or so that you put a pin in to lock it in at the desired height. The smaller piece that slides in/out would have a pad welded onto the bottom to rest on the ground when it was in the down position. All you do is weld the large square tube section to the back of the trailer and you have it. I will stop by tractor supply and see what they have. Might be able to use a tongue jack instead. Thanks for the replies though....

Keith

 

[Diamondpilot]

I think you will find the tongue jack to be cheaper in the long run. Materials to do what you want will be about $40 plus labor to make it. The other nice thing about the jacks is if you have a flat you simply use them.

Chris

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

Keith, talk to a few of those metal shops - quite often they'll have a "cutoff pile" that they consider scrap and will either sell for $1 a pound or give away the pieces you want/need. What you describe sounds exactly what I was talking about.
and I'd be very surprised if you didn't have a neighbor or relative close by with an arc or mig welder and a drill press who could help you weld the parts up for beer & pizza. (or just the fun of it)

 

[DonnieP]

I made exactly what you descibed - used a couple of pieces of angle iron welded along the side of the square tubing. The Dept of Highways here use sqare tubing with holes every inch or so for sign posts. I was given some from a sign that was damaged and was able to get enough that was straight to make two legs for the back of the trailer. I have a jack on the front and the three points make a good strong base for unloading/loading the ride on lawn mower. I used bolts for the pins, got them long enough I could cut of the thread and drill a hole for a hitch pin. I dug the corner of the trailer out of the snow and attached a picture.