Tongue Jack won't spin freely...hard to move trailer

[VMS]

I have a fulton tongue jack on my shorelander that will not allow the wheel to spin freely when I try to move the trailer. Is there a way to lubricate the jack? I have never done so.

Thanks in advance

Steve

[bobberal]

I found out that my tounge weight was to much for the jack. This was set up by the dealer wrong.

[T-Mac]

On a larger boat (1000# hull or more) with correct tongue weight, those do not rotate EASILY for turning. ("Easily" being the operative and a subjective word here.)

A couple of alternatives come to mind.

A customer of mine got a heavy duty caster assembly, cut his standard wheel and yoke arms off, welded the entire swiveling caster assembly on ,in its' place and that enabled him to easily snake the boat around (on concrete floor) in his storage facility. Worked great.

You can also get a dolly that has larger tires and a hitch ball. This aparatus (manually) lifts the front of the trailer incorporating the hitch coupler. Once lifted, you can walk a single axle trailer around quite easily.

If you have to do much hand pushing or pulling while turning, it may be worth the cost.

[Skis]

Since the question has been add, I'd like to add to the question. My boat is a 2001 Alumacraft on a Shoreland'r trailer. When I first had the boat, the wheel moved around well and I had no problems.

However, this year I have not had a good day ever. I am constantly kicking it to go straight or turn. Any ideas to remedy, other than a dolly, or am I just going to have to cuss and swear at that little wheel and live with it?

Thanks!

[whitetips]

If the jack is lowered all the way down as low as it goes, it will tighten up on the screw and the wheel won't turn, this also sometimes happens if its to high. crank it up 5 to 10 turns or down. If it doesn't help, get a new one.

[Trailerguy]

Assuming that your jack is at fault. Most of these jacks, fulton,bull dog, ect. have a bolt that holds the handle on. most jacks aren't overlly lubericated by the manufacturers. When the handle is removed, a slight tap on the top of the shaft will let the inner jack slide out the bottom of the tube. Some jacks can't be rotated in the tube, others will rotate. Carefully support the trailer tounge 1st., then slide the inner jack out. There will be a thrust washer at the top. If you liberally grease this area and any other area that appears to touch the tube, then re-install the jack in the tube, put the handle back on, and it should be as good as new. Water proof grease like you use on the trailer bearings will last longer, as the rain and moisture won't wash it out as fast.

[T-Mac]

Amen.
A new jack works ..."fair"... until it gets sand, water, road grit,rust, etc. in it.
Brand does not matter, either.

[PJM]

VMS

Do what Trailerguy says and grease the tube, believe me it works.

[VMS]

Thanks for the advice everyone...I will see if I can grease the tube and go from there.

Steve

[ebijack]

with a bit of work (depends on the trailer)you can modifiy a swivel jack from a large tavel trailer or even just the swivel caster.(that's what i had). the travel trailer swivel caster can carry a heavy load and is mounted to it's plate with ball bearings(around 30 bearings) and has a grease fitting to keep the bearings lubed. also makes a big difference if you move the trailer jack next to the center beam vs the outside of one of the trailer beams. (make sure you have room for the jack handle to swing)
been thinking about doing it to the trailer i have now.
hope that helps