TWO jacks to solve ONE problem...

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TWO jacks to solve ONE problem...

Postby DANL » Wed Jun 16, 2004 12:16 am

Here's a solution I came up with to solve a jack problem. My trailer is too low slung to use any of the standard swivel type caster jacks so I ended up using two different jacks--one on ech side of the tongue. Thought this might be of use to others with the same problem.

http://home.att.net/~daniel.v.jones/tea ... assis.html

If anyone knows of a wheelie jack that can crank down to ten inches, please let me know.
The tiny trailer in the avatar is designed to carry our recumbents and sometimes sleep in. We LOVE having a kitchen in the woods and a place for most of our gear.
Dan Jones http://sunsetlanding.com/teardrop/teardrop_intro.html
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Postby Nick Taylor » Wed Jun 16, 2004 2:16 am

Dan,

I saw this idea on someone else's teardrop but I don't have the photo of it. Excuse my crude quicky drawing but I'm sure you'll get the idea.

It's basically a piece of channel that the tongue is cradled in and secured with a pin. On the bottom is a large pneumatic caster wheel. You remove it when driving but when parked you slip on the assembly and then lower your jack down so it's riding on the caster. If I run across the photo, I'll let you know. The big tire gives you more manuverability.

Image

Harbor Frieght has the casters.

Image

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Postby campadk » Wed Jun 16, 2004 5:00 am

Nick,

I saw that too... forget where it was/who's it was. Was here or on teardroptimes.

Your drawing is pretty good though.

I was thing something like that just to have a bigger wheel so its easier in sand to roll my baby into place.
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Postby BufordT » Wed Jun 16, 2004 5:03 am

Dan,

Really neat looking trailer. Keep us posted on it. I like the way that thing looks and I want to see what it looks like when done.

Thanks

Bufordt :twisted:
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Postby Nick Taylor » Wed Jun 16, 2004 9:54 am

campadk wrote:Nick,

I saw that too... forget where it was/who's it was. Was here or on teardroptimes.



It was somebody on Teardrop Times. They had a big diamond plate storage box on the tongue as well.

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Postby denverd0n » Wed Jun 16, 2004 10:29 am

I like the idea of a front opening awning! I may have to incorporate that into my plans.
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Postby DANL » Wed Jun 16, 2004 4:34 pm

Hi Nick,

Thanks for mentioning the big caster wheel. I do remember seeing that at the other site. Next week I'll be dropping in at Northern Tool--they handle the same general product line as Harbor Frieght and they're close.

I like the idea of a big wheel although we don't have much sand or soft ground here in Minnesota (hmmm--there is soft snow part of the year). Anything that makes the unit easier to move would be desirable. One of the aspects about a tiny trailer that appeals to me is the notion that it can easily be moved around the campsite whenever one wants to. Great to be able to quickly re-orient the trailer to take advantage of a beautiful view out the door or a cooling breeze on a warm evening or even to face it away from less pleasant elements.

And BufordT, thanks! I'll be sure to let you know when it's done.
The tiny trailer in the avatar is designed to carry our recumbents and sometimes sleep in. We LOVE having a kitchen in the woods and a place for most of our gear.
Dan Jones http://sunsetlanding.com/teardrop/teardrop_intro.html
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swivel jacks

Postby emiller » Wed Jun 16, 2004 5:01 pm

I cut off the mounting plate on my swivel jack and rewelded it closer to the bottom because my trailer is pretty low also, has a 4 inch caster on it and works great. :?
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Postby DANL » Wed Jun 16, 2004 6:22 pm

Hello emiller,

That's what I was thinking about but I'm afraid I have absolutely no welding ability. I assume you mean that you cut the tubular leg part off from the swiveling plate that it is welded to. How did you cut it? Grinder? Some kind of saw? Darned if I can figure out how to do it.

I could probably get my brother-in-law to weld it back together if I could just get them apart.
The tiny trailer in the avatar is designed to carry our recumbents and sometimes sleep in. We LOVE having a kitchen in the woods and a place for most of our gear.
Dan Jones http://sunsetlanding.com/teardrop/teardrop_intro.html
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Danl

Postby emiller » Wed Jun 16, 2004 6:52 pm

I used a mini die grinder with 3 inch cutoff wheel, or take it to a welding shop and they can use a plasma cutter quick and easy for a welding shop. :)
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Postby Nick Taylor » Wed Jun 16, 2004 7:05 pm

I bought a swiveling jack with a wheel for my Ken-Skill. I need to cut off the post jack that is already on there as it just doesn't seem to be very stable. Plus it hangs down too far and I've bumped it going through a dip more than once.

The original jack for my trailer is gone. The threaded hole is still on the tongue but the larger propane bottle is covering it up.

I have one of those trailer movers, which is basically like a hand truck with a trailer ball on it. It makes it easy to move the trailer around but not handy to carry with me everywhere I go. I may go with both the swiveling jack and the caster tire so that I can use either when I need to. I had problems pushing my old trailer around in sandy spots and even my driveway is a little rough on a solid wheel.

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Postby David Niver » Thu Jun 17, 2004 4:09 am

I do't know the web site but I think this is the picture you may be looking for.
http://tnttt.com/album_ ... pic_id=210
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Postby Nick Taylor » Thu Jun 17, 2004 11:47 am

That looks like the one! Thanks.

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