Trailer Jack Replacement Options

DurangoTaB

More than once the bottom of our retracted trailer jack has caught the ground on big dips; the last time it bent the tube just enough to make it a pain to get the foot on/off.  I’m looking at side-mounted options like...
https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Jack/Fulton/F1413020134.html
...but not sure about mounting (the T@B has an unusual 1-1/2” x 4-1/2” frame).  Does anyone have experience with a lower clearance standard jack or with a side mounted jack?  Thanks in advance!

ericnliz

@DurangoTaB, Have you considered the removable one. Either the one @Pop-T@B came up with, or the one offered through the Teardrop shop. (Not sure if nuCamp's shop offers one yet...maybe?) I know of other folks that have gone that route for the same reason you've described. Just a thought.

seajeeper

I cut some 1-1/2" long pieces of 3/8" pipe, got longer bolts, and remounted the jack so it is 1-1/2" higher.  I had problems getting the wheel on/off when hitched to our car.  I'll post a picture later when I get home.

DurangoTaB

@seajeeper...I like it!  If you can’t lower the water, raise the bridge!  The problem with your solution is my Tacoma tailgate...it just misses the crank handle in the down position as it is. I may also look to see if cutting off 2” will help (it doesn’t look like I can cut more than 1-1/2” before having to cut the outer sleeve of the down-tube... 
 https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/5667/trailer-jack-woes
I couldn’t find the adaptor; NuCamp subs accessories to “All Pro Adventures”...didn’t see anything there.  I did see PopT@B’s posting...but would prefer not to have to remove the jack.
https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/1918/trailer-jack-in-the-way-of-my-tailgate/p1

DurangoTaB

Great, and prompt, response from the super folks at eTrailer.  I don’t think the side mount jack would interfere with the emergency brake cable (since it pokes out a ways from the tongue steel.  Plus they list another option: 
   https://www.etrailer.com/question-255048.html?fb=yes

RollingBnB

Is your ball height correct? Mine doesn't even come close to hitting

DurangoTaB

Good question...I originally put the ball at 14” to the top, but noticed the T@B was bucking when being towed.  When I saw the T@B wasn’t level I lowered the ball almost an inch; she’s now level and tows very nicely.  To be honest, the only place we bottom out is not in the mountains but getting out of our neighborhood!

RollingBnB

16 " is the recommended height

DurangoTaB

I stand corrected!  

DurangoTaB

Very happy with my eTrailer solution!  Went from 4-1/2”+ hanging down to 3/8”.  The top-wind vs. side-wind is also an improvement...if my Tacoma was even slightly turned (and still hitched), the side-wind crank would block my tailgate from coming down all the way.

Ratkity

Wow! 4.5" to 3/8"!!! Excellent. Great choice

DurangoTaB

Story of my life...lesson learned the hard way.  On our first trip out with the new jack, on our way home, stopping by the local dump station, I heard something bottom out.  I got out and shucks (I didn’t say shucks), the brand new jack had wiggled it’s way down, down, down, bottomed out, and bent the bottom tube to the point of being unusable.  Fortunately it didn’t hit the dirt that hard and didn’t rip the whole thing out.  I talked to eTrailer and ordered another jack (figuring they all have this problem...which the manufacturer confirmed).  It’s a little clumsy, but here’s the bungee-cord solution...

jkjenn

I have been using the Jack-E-Up for a ling time now. I don't think I need it with the Grand Cherokee but wondered aboudt bottoming out. I see the Jack-E-Up now has a holder for the jack, which might work. I would like to stop carrying the jack in my TV.

JimEngel

We like the fold up jack:

JimEngel

Down position:

DurangoTaB

@JimEngel...that was plan B! (eTrailer has some nice ones)