I have always found jacking up a boat trailer such a daunting task. Whether to jack it up to work on it or to replace a tire, I would always find myself struggling with it. Surely, I am not the only one.
Have you ever jacked up a boat trailer with the boat on it? I would always question myself if I am doing it right. I know how to jack up my car, and I am not sure if it is the same. So, I did some research to find out how to do it properly.
There are various techniques different boaters use to jack up their boat trailer. Regardless of which, you have to make sure that you have the right tools for it. Invest in a good jack that can bear the load of your trailer plus the boat. A bottle jack or a floor jack can do the trick if you simply need to change some tires.
If you plan to block your trailer, make sure to invest in a reliable tongue jack with some floor support or a wheel, depending on your needs. Jack up your boat trailer by the frame and not directly on the axles. Definitely, do not place the jack in the middle of the axle as it can damage it. Know what type of axle your boat trailer has. Some axles would not require much jacking up to lift the tires off the ground.
Tips To Jack Up A Boat Trailer
- Don’t place the jack on the axle
As much as possible, jack up your trailer by the frame. Jacking up your trailer by the axle may damage it as you are lifting the weight of the trailer and boat. It is especially not recommended to jack up your trailer in the middle part of the axle as it can bend the axle. The axle is one of the most vital parts of your trailer because it is where the wheels are mounted.
You may find some tips online or get advice from some people saying that they jack up their trailers by the axle, but this is still not the proper way to do it. If your jack is not able to lift the tire up enough when you place it on the frame, I would suggest maybe use some blocks of wood to help raise it more than put it on the axle.
- Get a proper jack to do the job
Your typical car jack may not be suitable to use when you need to jack up your boat trailer. Some of these jacks just are not made to handle the weight of your boat and trailer combined. While some can lift it up, we can never be sure that they can hold the weight.
A good jack to use for your boat trailer should be able to handle at least two to three tons of weight. The real ideal jack to use on any boat trailer should be able to bear more than the boat trailer’s weight together with the boat itself.
- Know Your Axle
As we all know, different boat trailers can have different types of axles, just like any vehicles. Jacking up a leaf spring axle can be totally different from jacking up a torsion bar axle. For one, you may have a harder time jacking up a torsion bar axle as you would need to jack it up higher compared to when you would if you have a leaf spring axle.
Knowing the kind of axle your trailer has also helps a lot in deciding where you would need to place your jack. Depending on where you place your jack, this can put more pressure on your axle, causing stress on it or maybe even damaging it. If you just need to replace a tire, you can maybe get away with placing a jack on the axle as close to the tire you want to change as possible. However, since most axles tend to be rounded, I would still recommend against it.
Additional Tip
Get some block of wood to help support your jack when jacking up your boat trailer. Carry at least one or two solid 2 by 14 lumber with you whenever you travel just in case you get flat tires along the way. These woods can help support your jack as you lift your trailer up to change your tire, plus it can also add a little more lift for when you would need it.
If you are on a dirt road or muddy road, place the lumber underneath your jack so it would not sink on the ground. Or if you need more lift or support, you can place a block of wood by the boat trailers frame, which may also give it more stable support.
Related Questions
How To Change A Boat Trailer’s Tires? This may differ depending on the kind of boat trailer that you have, but typically you can do this by just your tongue jack if it is on, and the trailer is not hooked to your car. Lower your tongue jack as low as you can to lift the rare part of your trailer if you need to change any tires on that part. Or lift it higher if you need to change the tires on the front side.
Place a bottle jack by the trailer frame nearest to the tire you want to change for support or for more lift. Then you can go ahead and change it. Do it with caution and make sure that the jacks are appropriately supported and stable.
If you have your trailer hooked on to your tow vehicle, it is best to keep it hooked so the trailer will not roll away unexpectedly. Again place your jack by the frame nearest to the tire you want to change and make sure it is stable before you change your tires. Make sure that your jack can bear the weight of your trailer to avoid problems and accidents.
Do I Need To Block My Boat Trailer? I wouldn’t say that it is a must. However, if you need to store your trailer for an extended period of time, you might want to consider blocking it. Blocking your boat trailer can help release the pressure off of the tires and the axle because the blocks would do that. Storing your trailer during winter without blocking it can ruin your tires and damage it for caring the weight too long.
To properly block your boat trailer, first, place your tongue jack or place a bottle jack by the trailer tongue and lift it until the front tires of the trailer are off the ground. Place a jack stand on both sides of the frame. Then lower the tongue jack or the bottle jack until the weight is off of it, and the frame entirely being supported by the jack stand. Next, lift the rear part of the trailer until the rear tires are off the ground. Do the same as you did on the front side and lower it down until the stand jacks are the ones bearing the weight of the trailer.
You can reinforce the stand jacks with some sturdy pieces of wood to help carry the load and stabilize the trailer as well. Removing the tires is also a good practice to lessen the weight and ease it off of the axles. By releasing the weight of the tires from the axles, you prevent any possible stress it can cause on the axles. It may also be best to chain your axle to the frame if you have a leaf spring axle to prevent them from sagging as you prop it up. Do not tighten the chain so much, make sure that it is just tight enough to help keep it leveled and not constrain it.
