How to prevent jack from seizing up? Gets submerged every launch

[jakec]

I’m on my second jack right now, and I just found out it’s seized when I went to take out my boat for the first time this year. The first jack lasted about 3 years, this one only lasted one summer. Unfortunately due to my trailer design, boat, and just the slope of the launches, I can’t avoid submerging the jack.

I’m about to buy another jack so I want this one to last. I paid for a high quality one (1500 lbs, $130) last spring and it’s already toast.

 

[jlh3rd]

I grease mine.

 

[jakec]

how and where? mine didn't seem to have a grease nipple or anything. And the top of the shaft is pressed on. Are you just packing by hand?

 

[roscoe]

Hmmm, So the trailer tongue gets submerged???

I’ve never seen a trailer tongue or Jack go under water.

Mount it further forward?
Extend the tongue then mount it further forward?
Buy a higher lift Jack and mount it above the trailer tongue?

Hard to suggest much more without a decent photo of the trailer tongue.

 

[redneck joe]

Hmmm, So the trailer tongue gets submerged???

I’ve never seen a trailer tongue or Jack go under water.

Mount it further forward?
Extend the tongue then mount it further forward?
Buy a higher lift Jack and mount it above the trailer tongue?

Hard to suggest much more without a decent photo of the trailer tongue.

I can't figure out how I would get mine wet.

 

[jlh3rd]

how and where? mine didn't seem to have a grease nipple or anything. And the top of the shaft is pressed on. Are you just packing by hand?

I'd have to see a picture of yours.
I don't have a grease nipple either.
There was a black cap that I would pop off and add grease if I wanted. I'd just stick the grease gun nozzle in and pump a few times.
Mine never goes under water either.

so this was the original on my '04 (?) trailer I bought used in 2016. It's been replaced because the marina broke the wheel and got me a brand new assembly 3 years ago. So it was 21+ years old and still good.

 

[Earl Cordova]

Mine gets wet when launching and the jack would last a year or two until I figured out
what part was filling up with water and drilled two 1/8" drain holes on the lowest section.

 

[jakec]

Ok, I probably need to be popping that top cap off and adding grease in addition to whatever comes from the factory. There already is one hole near the crank which may be for drainage, but obviously wasn’t enough to save it.

I only use a couple launches and they are all saltwater and just follow the slope of the beach. So for the folks saying they can’t imagine how it gets wet.. just imagine a low slope boat launch. The boat is flat bottomed and needs to go far in the water to float. Typically the water level is reaching just below the hitch receiver.

 

[Jeff J]

I have had to launch where I stepped into water getting out of the truck so pretty easy for me to imagine getting a jack wet. Shallow sloped boat ramp with long pontoon boat pretty much guarantees it. My rear axles have been completely submerged. I have never done a saltwater launch but have had some corrosion issues pop up on truck and trailer for needing to back in so far. For the record, I power load anything that has the power to do it (not illegal anywhere I have been).

I believe my current boat trailer manual says to drip some gear oil into it along the where shaft the handle is attached to. I will confirm that if I can find the paperwork that came with it.

 

[airshot]

Salt water is your enemy....if your going that deep, then your rear axle/ rotors/ drums are also getting salt in them. Can't imagine backing in that far, but I have saw some really bad ramps so it probably happens. My jack has a plastic cap on top that pops off so grease or heavy gear lube can be applied. On some, I have drilled holes into the shaft to squirt lube in there for lube. Most just runs out, but some stays in there. Your situation is very rare, so not many life experiences out there to help with your issue.

 

[mike_i]

This is the type of jack I have on my trailer. I pull the pin, remove the jack, toss it in my truck and all is well. The jack doesn't get wet and it can't disappear.

Bulldog Round Sidewind Swivel Jack

Effortlessly lift and level your trailer with the Bulldog Trailer Tongue Jack. Durable and reliable for all your towing needs. Buy now.

www.overtons.com

 

[redneck joe]

Ah, didn't think of salt and a beach. See above post sounds like a good solution.

 

[jakec]

I would like a removable jack, I just need on with a wheel. I will look into that. I’m going to pop my jack open and see if it can’t be fixed first.

And seriously guys it’s I not that crazy to have a shallow sloped ramp lol. Within my normal boating area (central puget sound) there are 10+ launches near me and I would say 75% of them follow the contour of the beach. Some you’re lucky if it’s even paved past the median tide line. It’s a regional thing I suppose

 

[Mc Tool]

Maybe winding the jack up and down its full stroke every so often might redistribute what grease is in there.