Trailer Jack to Avoid Tailgate Clearance Issues

Published 02/21/2020

Products Featured in This Question

Round A-Frame Trailer Jack - Sidewind - 15-5/8" Travel - 5,000 lbs

(990)

$87.35

Ball Mount 3/4" Rise or 2" Drop - 12-5/8" Long

(3912)

$34.26

etrailer Boat Trailer Jack w/ Footplate - Sidewind - Fixed Mount - 29-1/8" Lift - Zinc - 2.5K

(1045)

$143.39

Round Snap Ring Swivel Jack w/ Footplate - Bolt On - Black - Topwind - 10-1/2" Travel - 2K

(738)

$72.26

Question:

Checked clearance, not even 11 Jack would work. Not too keen on a longer shank ball mount would have to be over 8 longer?? Looks like frame mounts? Pivot type bolt on? Trailer weighs approximately 1200#. Would prefer casters, but a foot plate could work too. Trailer is a tandem 16 footer. Frames are 4"

asked by: Edward L

Expert Reply:

There are a few solutions for your tailgate to clear the jack on your trailer. I recommend to use a longer ball mount like # D-26, that would move the trailer back further away from the truck and give you clearance you need.

If you know what size the hitch on your vehicle is, the rise or drop of the ball mount for your trailer, if you're using weight distribution or not, and the measurement from the center of the hitch pin hole to the center of the ball hole I can make the best recommendation based on your trailer.

Another solution is to use a side mounted trailer jack. This moves the jack back further and to the side and provides you the clearance for you tailgate. We carry jacks that have casters on the bottom like # FXPD15L and jacks that have foot plates on the bottom like # TJBB-2001-B.

I linked the pages with our extended ball mounts, and our selection of side mounted trailer jacks for you to check out.

expert reply by: Robert C

click to enlarge

Edward L.

1/1/0001

Robert C.

2/21/2020

For your trailer I recommend the Square Jack w/ Footplate # MJSQ-2500B. It has a total of 29" of travel between the screw travel of 15-3/8" and the drop leg giving an additional 13-3/4" of travel. It's rated for 2500 lbs which is more than you need for your trailer. Having a jack that's rated higher than you need just means there's less stress, and the jack doesn't have to work as hard. It bolts on so there's no need to have a shop weld anything, and it is designed to fit trailers with 3-5" tall frames. I attached a photo a customer sent in with the jack on their trailer as well as video for you to check out.