Trailer jacks

[Feileod]

I was wondering if there were anyone willing to give me their 2 cents worth on trailer jack selection. I have noticed my local Northern tool store carries several types ranging from pnuematic tire, skid, plastic wheel, and so on. I noticed the Chaser and Horizon have a very nice (model?) steel wheel set up. What works for you and why?

Below is my work in progress. I am currently deployed to Iraq and I have been using my extra pay to steathfully order parts for my Jeep and trailer in between pretty stuff for my Wife and Daughters :arabia: Girls are soo expensive

[Willman]

A marine store is going to be a great start to look!....Steel is stronger and will last long!

From your picture...looks like you already have a stock kick stand.......But being able to move it up and down is priceless when you have a RRT on top when it comes time to sleep!

:)

[Martyn]

The selection of a steel wheel came about almost by default. We'd been storing a couple of Kimberly Kampers for a friend of ours who was the original importer. They have pneumatic tires on the jockey wheel, and both of them at one point or an other developed punctures. With the KK if the jockey wheel goes flat you just can't move them by hand, so we thought we'd avoid this possible problem by going with a solid rubber wheel.

One of our first owners left the jockey wheel down and drove off. He could smell burning rubber but couldn't identify where it was coming from until the thing was a burning torch.

We went with a steel wheel because it doesn't puncture easily, and if you leave the jockey wheel down and drive off it sparks like crazy, just to let you know something isn't quite right.

We buy the unit that has a foot, cut the foot off, and attach the steel wheel. They are all standard parts, you can get the legs in different lengths.

[Feileod]

Yep, still have the stock kick stand. I also have an M416 leg which is a little longer and will replace the OEM one when I upgrade tires. I built a camp kitchen setup that hangs off the rear when in use (sorry can't get to my pics) That setup is awesome, no more kneeling over the stove! My wife and daughters went camping last week with some friends (so sad I am missing camping season) and she brought to my attention that it would be nice to have some means of leveling the trailer when its time to cook. She also sent me a pic of her drinking a beer which is total torture! I do plan on adding a RTT to the trailer for times when its just the two of us. Girls are getting old enough now they won't stay in the same tent as us even if all of us go together anyway. Sorry, I am getting off topic. The kick stand is nice for storage, keeps the trailer at a decent rake so water drains. I was just thinking something other than a log or rock to bring it to level would be nice.

[Feileod]

Good points Martyn. I deffinately know what you mean about the burning tire. My experience over here is once the tire catches fire you can't put it out and you have better get everybody out because the whole truck is going to be a loss. How does the steel wheel handle off pavement? Seems as if it wouldn't have enough surface area to prevent it from plowing the dirt and sinking in.

[Martyn]

The jockey wheel is a good way to level the trailer for and aft. If you are detaching the trailer from the tow vehicle and kids are around I'd suggest you pick up a rear stabilizer.

This stops the trailer from rocking backwards and putting the tongue vertical. I like to have one under the back of the trailer when kids are around as it makes the trailer solid and the likelihood of accident much less.

You can see the type we use at http://www.adventuretrailers.com/accessories.html

[Martyn]

Good points Martyn. I deffinately know what you mean about the burning tire. My experience over here is once the tire catches fire you can't put it out and you have better get everybody out because the whole truck is going to be a loss. How does the steel wheel handle off pavement? Seems as if it wouldn't have enough surface area to prevent it from plowing the dirt and sinking in.

It works fine off road. A large pneumatic tire would be better, but it can also puncture. Should work fine on a military trailer. You can get the type that fits to the chassis using U bolts.

[Feileod]

The rear has already been addressed. When I added my camp kitchen setup to the rear that was a real concern of mine. A friend of mine found some discontinued stabilizer legs that he modded to work with our CDN2 M101s. The end product is scaled down rear stabalizer that is very similar in appearance to the type used on the 3/4ton US M101. Again, sorry no access to my pics.

If you go to Yahoo Groups CDN2 M101 group you can look at recent pictures with all my mods in the photos section under FeilEOD. The military server won't let me access Yahoo Groups or most other "personnal pages"

[Martyn]

The rear has already been addressed. When I added my camp kitchen setup to the rear that was a real concern of mine. A friend of mine found some discontinued stabilizer legs that he modded to work with our CDN2 M101s. The end product is scaled down rear stabalizer that is very similar in appearance to the type used on the 3/4ton US M101. Again, sorry no access to my pics.

If you go to Yahoo Groups CDN2 M101 group you can look at recent pictures with all my mods in the photos section under FeilEOD. The military server won't let me access Yahoo Groups or most other "personnal pages"

Yeah, it's like Corporate America as far as computer access goes, only you guys all wear green!

[Lawrence]

I use a Bulldog with no wheel on my military style trailer. I have it mounted on a quick release pin so that I can "store" it inside the frame rails when offroading. It works well, and the trailer is not a big deal to reposition by hand if need be.

I also have one of the two KK Martyn mentioned. It has a pneumatic wheel and it is very nice and easy to move the trailer around.

There is no right or wrong jack, I think it depends on the terrain and your personal preference. A pneumatic wheel can handle both soft and hard terrains very well. Where a harder/skinnier wheel would tend to "sink" in a soft setting like sand, a pneumatic will "float" easier, especially if you air it down a tad.

Yes, a pneumatic wheel can go flat if punctured, but it hasn't happened to this KK, and it is easily repairable if it happens.

[Tucson T4R]

I use a Bulldog with no wheel on my military style trailer. I have it mounted on a quick release pin so that I can "store" it inside the frame rails when offroading. It works well, and the trailer is not a big deal to reposition by hand if need be.

I also have one of the two KK Martyn mentioned. It has a pneumatic wheel and it is very nice and easy to move the trailer around.

There is no right or wrong jack, I think it depends on the terrain and your personal preference. A pneumatic wheel can handle both soft and hard terrains very well. Where a harder/skinnier wheel would tend to "sink" in a soft setting like sand, a pneumatic will "float" easier, especially if you air it down a tad.

Yes, a pneumatic wheel can go flat if punctured, but it hasn't happened to this KK, and it is easily repairable if it happens.


I have the hard rubber jockey wheel on my KK and it has been a problem for me in soft or muddy soil. Do you know where I could find a pneumatic tire that will fit the KK?

[Green Ganesha]

I use a combination of two jockey wheels, one with a solid plastic tire (on the left in the picture below), and the other with a larger solid rubber tire.
11481

On most surfaces, the rubber tire rolls more easily. However, it is only held in place (vertically) by an adjustable bolt (with the red handle in the next picture).
11482

So once I have my trailer in position, I switch to the plastic jockey wheel for greater stability. It swivels 90 degrees from its horizontal storage configuration, and then locks into place.
11483

Both share the same up/down twisting handle, which attaches with a spring-type cotter pin.

[Martyn]

That's a great adaptation using two jockey wheels.

Something to consider here on selection of wheels is the tongue weight. The AT and military trailers are built with a low tongue weight where as the KK is much heavier.

So while the KK may have problems with a solid wheel in soft soil and sand the smaller balanced trailers will not. The selection of a pneumatic tire for the KK in this case may be more applicable. You just have to carry a repair kit.

[Tucson T4R]

That's a great adaptation using two jockey wheels.

Something to consider here on selection of wheels is the tongue weight. The AT and military trailers are built with a low tongue weight where as the KK is much heavier.

So while the KK may have problems with a solid wheel in soft soil and sand the smaller balanced trailers will not. The selection of a pneumatic tire for the KK in this case may be more applicable. You just have to carry a repair kit.

Where could I get my paws on a Pneumatic tire that will fit my KK? Any suggestions? Is there a standard size I can source locally. It looks like the KK Jockey Wheel fork for the hard rubber tire would be too narrow for a larger pneumatic tire. I was thinking I would have to replace the lower half of the jockey wheel shaft and tire as an assembly. Thanks

[ntsqd]

The TrailBlazer came to me with a single, adjustable foot length jack (10k lbs tag trailer sized monster) that has a removable inflated rubber tire. In my use the tire never leaves home, but the trailer usually sits in it when home. Some pics of the jack & landing foot here: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=73484&postcount=18
The tire is a std castered ~8" OD tire and the pin in the landing foot (shown fully retracted) also holds the castered tire in place. This tire is a std trailer tongue jack tire assembly. The jack's landing foot has been modified to allow the caster's attaching collar to fit up thru a hole in the center of the foot, and then the pin slides thru a lateral hole in the collar for retention.
HTH

[Lawrence]

Something to consider here on selection of wheels is the tongue weight. The AT and military trailers are built with a low tongue weight where as the KK is much heavier.

So while the KK may have problems with a solid wheel in soft soil and sand the smaller balanced trailers will not. The selection of a pneumatic tire for the KK in this case may be more applicable. You just have to carry a repair kit.

I respect your operation and there are several members who like your trailers, but comparing an AT to a KK is apples and oranges. We all agree that a pneumatic tire might go flat, but carrying a couple of patches is no big deal, they fit nicely in my tire repair kit. ;)

Since the OP doesn’t have either trailer but an M416 instead, his choices are wide open. I don’t know where he plans on going (i.e. type of terrain), but given the fact that he might add an RTT, he should not overlook a pneumatic wheel for better flotation with two people in the tent.


I have the hard rubber jockey wheel on my KK and it has been a problem for me in soft or muddy soil. Do you know where I could find a pneumatic tire that will fit the KK?
Not at the top of my head. Have you tried contacting KK? I can take measurements and pics of mine if this helps. I’ll also look into it.

[Tucson T4R]

..............Not at the top of my head. Have you tried contacting KK? I can take measurements and pics of mine if this helps. I’ll also look into it.


OK, thanks. I have a KK contact and I'll check with him too.

[Martyn]

[QUOTE=Lawrence]I respect your operation and there are several members who like your trailers, but comparing an AT to a KK is apples and oranges. We all agree that a pneumatic tire might go flat, but carrying a couple of patches is no big deal, they fit nicely in my tire repair kit. ;)

Since the OP doesn’t have either trailer but an M416 instead, his choices are wide open. I don’t know where he plans on going (i.e. type of terrain), but given the fact that he might add an RTT, he should not overlook a pneumatic wheel for better flotation with two people in the tent.

Lawrence

My intention was not to imply anything negative about the KK. But rather to show that different designs and tongue weights lend to different jockey wheels. Each wheel has it's pros and cons.

I do however think that comparing off road trailers to each other in a positive fashion is healthy. I believe it helps the consumer end up with a trailer that is better suited to their needs. It's a system that we work by at AT, where we will refer a customer to an other brand of trailer if we think it better suites their usage.

If memory serves me, the first import of KK's consisted of 4 trailers and Mario and I sold two of them. We also refer people to Campa, Tentrax, and any number of pop-up manufacturers.

There is nothing worse than dealing with a customer down the road who you "encouraged" into a sale when the product doesn't meet their needs.

[ntsqd]

For my own use I'd rather have a flat foot than the tire on soft ground. I carry a couple small sections of plywood to place under the stabilizing and tongue jacks when necessary.
At home is a different story, the tire makes moving it around on the driveway worth the trouble to install it.

[Lawrence]

Martyn - Agreed. I was merely pointing out the fact that the OP has a M416 and his tongue weight is nothing to worry about. I also wanted to point out that since he has plans for an RTT, a pneumatic wheel might not be that bad of an idea.

As you said, a solid wheel is probably not the best choice on a KK. However, were I to buy or modify a trailer for a RTT, I would most likely opt for a pneumatic wheel regardless of the tongue weight. I have a jack with a foot on my military trailer, and I've had to use a piece of wood from time to time so not to sink in, and it makes it impossible for my wife to move the trailer.

Brad - check www.servicecaster.com under Martin or Hamilton. www.hamiltoncaster.com seems to have a decent selection, maybe you'll find something which fits.

[cruiseroutfit]

My trailer uses a standard top pivot jack and foot. With the low tongue weight I have never needed to roll it, one person can simple lift it.

[Tucson T4R]

.............Not at the top of my head. Have you tried contacting KK? I can take measurements and pics of mine if this helps. I’ll also look into it.

I discussed the jockey tire with the KK engineer. He said they stopped using the pneumatic tires because they had too many problem with leaks and even the tire rolling off the rim (sounds like too low a pressure). That's why they now only use the hard rubber tires. I guess I'll listen to his experienced recomendation and stay with my hard rubber jockey tire.

[ntsqd]

Sounds like the perfect place for Slime.