installing jack stand on aluminum I beam frame trailer

[jasguild]

I am installing a swing tongue and would like to put the jack stand on the front part of the frame instead of the tongue. The trailer is an ezloader aluminum i-beam frame trailer.

is this doable???

 

[Bayou Dave]

Try posting a photo of the trailer indicating where you plan on installing it.

 

[jasguild]

Please see the blue circled area on the other side of the trailer. I will be replacing the jack stand with one that is more compact and adding a folding tongue

The second picture shows the installation I have in mind but on a galvanized steel trailer

My only concern is that this is an I-Beam aluminum frame rather than galvanize steel. I have seen on EZ trailer instructions for my trailer that jacking up an I-Beam aluminum trailer in the case of flat tire has to be done under the axle only not on the frame. So I am concerned that this jack stand on the i-beam frame may also not be a good idea

Thanks

 

[GA_Boater]

Sure, put the jack stand there. You are dealing with little more than tongue weight at that point, not lifting one side of the trailer and boat to change a tire.

Or the stand can go under the joint where the side rails are bolted to the tongue which might be better so the trailer isn't twisted.

 

[GA_Boater]

Just a second - Jack stand or trailer jack? Two different things.

Isn't the circled area the existing trailer jack? Where are you cutting the tongue for the folder?

 

[jasguild]

I apologize for the terminology mix up. I had to go look them up and I think I now understand the difference. I do not have a trailer jack. I have a jack stand. I want to move trailer jack stand from where it currently is because I want to push the winch stand as far as possible under the bow. What I meant to say is I am swapping the winch stand for a more compact one.


What kind of jack stand or trailer jack can I get to work under the joint?

I am planning to cut the tongue near where the reflector is located

Thanks again

 

[M2HB]

I think I understand what the OP wants. He wants to move the tongue jack to the aluminum I beam frame so he can put a smaller winch tower more rearward under the bow. This will leave room on the tongue to put a folding tongue assembly on the trailer.

I wouldn't put the tongue jack on the aluminum I beam frame without beefing up the place where you are going to attach it. I am no aluminum trailer expert but I wouldn't put that load on the edge of an aluminum flange. There are several ways you could do it. I would put a couple of aluminum plates, one top and one bottom (1/4" x approx. 6" x whatever the width of the trailer frame is where the attachment point is, may work) . These plates would go from one side of the trailer frame to the other, where the tongue jack is going to be installed. Obviously the ends of these plates would have to be angled to match the shape of the trailer frame. I would then weld a steel strip on the steel jack mount to attach to these plates, right through the I beam flange, top and bottom. This will spread the load across the entire frame instead of on the flange edge of one side.

There are others ways to accomplish this such as boxing the section of frame where the mount would go. I'm just trying to accomplish the reinforcement without have to weld to the aluminum trailer frame.

Also, I always mount my tongue jacks on the port side of the trailer. This is so one person, the driver, can jack up the trailer without changing sides.

I put my spare tire mounts on the starboard side of the trailer so you don't have to remove the spare tire on the traffic side of the trailer.

 

[jasguild]

I think I understand what the OP wants. He wants to move the tongue jack to the aluminum I beam frame so he can put a smaller winch tower more rearward under the bow. This will leave room on the tongue to put a folding tongue assembly on the trailer.
.

YES. This is exactly what I am trying to accomplish. I see your point about putting a lot of uneven stress on one side of the trailer.

 

[jasguild]

Yesterday I studied the whole lay out of my trailer again. It looks as though I might be able to position the winch tower between the u brackets for the tongue jack. The U brackets for the tongue jack span 6 inches whereas the base for the small winch tower is only 4 inches. I could put the arm for the winch jack on the opposite side of the arm for the tongue jack so they dont interfere with each other's operation

If this works, this should be a better option to keep the weight of the tongue centerinstead of on one of the side beams.

Please let me know your thoughts.