Posted 2008-04-23 8:11 PM (#82518) Subject: Help!! My jack just broke!
Member
Posts: 19
The jack on my gooseneck trailer had been sticking and very hard to crank for a while and the drop down foot kept sticking. When my husband tried to crank it out and grease it something clunked inside and it just...broke! The crank just turned freely without doing anything. We used a bulldozer to lift up the front of the trailer and unscrewed the foot and it looked like the threads were all stripped and god knows what else. My question is what to do now? I know they sell new jacks but this one is welded onto the trailer. Any suggestions?
Posted 2008-04-23 9:19 PM (#82521 - in reply to #82518) Subject: RE: Help!! My jack just broke!
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
I would try to source parts for the gearbox first, starting with the manufacturer of the jack. There should be a data plate on the jack with the model#. A web search and some detective work, should result in some indication if parts are available. Many web sites include an illustrated parts breakdown, and you can match the damaged parts.
If that doesn't work, contact the trailer manufacturer to see if they have parts that are available or if it is only sold as a complete unit. If the gearbox can't be rebuilt, a new jack will have to be installed. This will involve cutting and rewelding.
Many of the jacks are of similar size and function, differing in weight capacities. A measurement of your jack's physical size, and the trailer's weight may be necessary to effect a replacement.
When the new parts or the jack is replaced, remember to remove the plate on top and grease the gearing and threaded post inside. This will ensure the longevity of the unit.
Posted 2008-04-23 10:31 PM (#82527 - in reply to #82518) Subject: RE: Help!! My jack just broke!
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
Textrail.com has many trailer parts including a wide assortment of single leg, weld on jacks for horse trailers. Your trailer weight will determine which jack is applicable, and if it is a single or two speed model.
I didn't see any twin post jacks (landing gear types) advertised, and assumed you had a single, center leg type.
Posted 2008-04-23 11:15 PM (#82532 - in reply to #82518) Subject: RE: Help!! My jack just broke!
Veteran
Posts: 238
Location: West Coast
The jack on our trailer broke a couple of years ago. I contacted the dealer I bought the trailer from and he had one in stock. Ours was just bolted on, so it was easy to change out.
Posted 2008-04-24 5:22 AM (#82537 - in reply to #82518) Subject: RE: Help!! My jack just broke!
Expert
Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Find a shop that does tractor trailer, trailer repair work and see if you can find the parts/guts to the jack and replace the working internal parts. That way you ain't having to take the torch to your trailer. That acetylene torch is going to leave a mark!
OR, buy a new jack and awap the new internals into your old "welded to the trailer" housing!
Posted 2008-04-28 6:03 AM (#82705 - in reply to #82518) Subject: RE: Help!! My jack just broke!
Elite Veteran
Posts: 662
Location: Vanzant, Missouri
I also started having the same problem. There is a grease fitting I guess for the crank but how do you grease the jack leg. Does the trailer have to be jacked up and how high, what's the best way to that without getting my self killed... I have no stinkin cowboy to take care of this...and really can't afford to take it anywhere..I'm pretty handy but a little nervous..Have visions of trailer falling etc....Silly girl me....lol
Posted 2008-04-28 9:09 AM (#82722 - in reply to #82518) Subject: RE: Help!! My jack just broke!
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
On my trailers, the top of the jacks have caps held on by a couple of screws. If this is removed, you can see the gears and the top of the jack screw. By liberally applying synthetic grease to this area, and while the trailer is hooked up to and supported by the truck, run the jack up and down through as full a travel as possible.
Reapply grease to the same area and reattach the cap. On the lower legs with the spring loaded pins, I lubricate them with synthetic motor oil. This lubrication quiets their operation and makes their usage much easier.
Posted 2008-04-28 10:23 AM (#82726 - in reply to #82518) Subject: RE: Help!! My jack just broke!
Elite Veteran
Posts: 801
Location: Tenn/Ala.
In fact, at one time one of the jack manufacturers had in their owners manual (the one that never seems to follow the trailer) a suggested annual service of removing the top via the screws Gard mentioned, and adding a .5 cup of general purpose grease. If one does this while the trailer is safely on the truck you can also run the jack through most of its travel to better lubricate the screw while its not under a load.
RTSmith
Posted 2008-04-28 6:24 PM (#82751 - in reply to #82518) Subject: RE: Help!! My jack just broke!
Member
Posts: 19
Thanks everyone for all your input:) When I brought the trailer in for my RV guy to do the wiring and plumbing for the living quarters he looked at it and happened to have a lightly used one out back that he practically gave me. Whew! It's good to know what to do for maintenance from now on though. I bought it used and I'm quite sure that it had never been greased!
Posted 2008-04-29 5:05 AM (#82778 - in reply to #82722) Subject: RE: Help!! My jack just broke!
Elite Veteran
Posts: 662
Location: Vanzant, Missouri
Gard Your Da Bomb!!! I thought that I would have to jack the trailer as high as I could then block it up..I do have the cap on the top of the jack. So I guess I'll hook it up tonight and try that... PS. What part of West Pa are you in...My daughter lives up in Tioga County off of Rt15
Posted 2008-04-29 8:43 AM (#82782 - in reply to #82759) Subject: RE: Help!! My jack just broke!
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
Originally written by bowhunter70 on 2008-04-28 9:36 PM
Those Jacks on Ebay.....Do they seem cheap for the price?Like maybe stolen by a worker in a place that has them....Just my thought
New jacks from Textrail aren't that expensive. In 10K versions, a drop leg is $191, a spring leg is $198. A used leg may or may not be operational and the shipping costs will be significant because of its weight. So if the jack is good and assuming the delivered price to your home is $100 or less, it would be a reasonable price for a used piece of equipment.
I would not think that there is a high demand for used jacks. They are very reliable, and if proper maintenance is performed, should last as long as your ownership of the trailer.
Posted 2008-04-29 8:45 AM (#82783 - in reply to #82778) Subject: RE: Help!! My jack just broke!
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
Originally written by mingiz on 2008-04-29 6:05 AM
Gard Your Da Bomb!!! I thought that I would have to jack the trailer as high as I could then block it up..I do have the cap on the top of the jack. So I guess I'll hook it up tonight and try that... PS. What part of West Pa are you in...My daughter lives up in Tioga County off of Rt15
I live aprox 8 miles from Ohio, just off the Ohio River