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Old 11-14-2021, 02:05 PM   #1
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tongue jack doesn't fit

Bought my first tent trailer this year, used. It's a 2008 Palomino Pony. I'm new to RV'ing.

The tongue jack on my trailer is bent. Looks like a previous owner left it down when they moved it.

I've been to 3 local stores that have replacement jacks but they are all too big in diameter to fit through the tongue.

I wasn't aware that there are different circumferences for the jacks. Is it possible the size is no longer available? Or are the smaller ones just harder to find?

I'm located in southern Ontario, just north of Toronto.

Hoping someone can help. thanks ...george
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Old 11-14-2021, 02:09 PM   #2
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You might try etrailer.com.

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Old 11-14-2021, 02:28 PM   #3
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Thanks.

Just took a look around but no luck. None of the jacks spec's list circumference.
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Old 11-14-2021, 02:36 PM   #4
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Worst case, have fabricator make a new jack base and weld that on.
Or just grind out the jack hole (sounds like curse to fit the larger diameter jack. The hole provides no structural support, the bolted down plate welded to the jack is doing it all.
Or, just buy a side clamp mounted jack. Mounts on the side of the frame.
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Old 11-14-2021, 03:10 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by weegeordie View Post
Thanks.



Just took a look around but no luck. None of the jacks spec's list circumference.
Tongue jacks come in two different tube sizes, I believe that nearly all are 2 1/4in and very few have 2in. Seeing that you have an older popup, it probably has the 2in one.
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Old 11-14-2021, 03:57 PM   #6
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I will go back to the dealer who sold me the jack and see if they can get me a 2".

Alternatively, I have a friend who is a fabricator. A grinding we will go!

Thanks all. I will resolve this next weekend.

...george
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Old 11-14-2021, 04:53 PM   #7
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This one has a 2" tube.
https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Jac...on/DL74MR.html
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Old 11-15-2021, 03:26 PM   #8
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I'm had same experience. The smaller campers have the 2" diameter post. Ordered one on line but it extended too far below the frame. Found a salvaged one at dealership. Store says many buyers dump manual jack for battery powered unit.
Cost to return ship the online unit was $$$$. I should have sold it in Craigslist.
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Old 11-15-2021, 06:19 PM   #9
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Look closely at your A-Frame. With the original jack out, do you think you could enlarge the hole without infringing on the three welded in nuts that hold the bolts retaining the tongue jack? I'll bet you can.

I have an older one from a popup...similar to what you describe with a smaller diameter primary tube. Light duty...rated at 1500 pounds. I replaced it with a 5000 pound rated manual jack, because the original was too flimsy for safe setup on side hills at lakes and such.

My original jack mount hole was already large enough to accommodate the heavier duty jack, but the bolt patterns on these jacks are typically identical...3 bolts in a triangular pattern at the same spacing for every jack.

The tongue A-Frame is just mild steel. You might be able to use a jig saw or reciprocal saw with a narrow (front to back), high-quality metal cutting blade (probably several blades, because you'll break them) and a Dremel or similar tool to "hog out" the opening to accommodate a new jack. Use the saw for the cut, and then use something like a Dremel with a round stone to smooth out the rough edges. It doesn't have to be fancy, because once you install the jack, it will hide a myriad of sins.

Be sure to paint after you cut to prevent rust. A little Rustoleum goes a long way.

You'd do well to upgrade to a 3000# or 5000# jack.

Why upgrade? If you're on a significant side slope...say at a lakeside campsite, no amount of wheel chocks will prevent the tongue from lurching in the downhill direction as you lift the coupler off the ball. The heavier the tongue weight, the bigger the lurch...especially if you have a single axle trailer where you can't use X-Chocks.

A flimsy jack can make this a scary, dangerous experience. Mine would whip sideways 6 inches or more and then whip back and forth until it settled down...a wet noodle. A nice, sturdy tongue jack can take this lateral loading with relative ease.

My old skinny-minnie scared the crap out of me several times until I said, "enough" and upgraded.

If you can enlarge the hole on your A-frame, that's the best option. If not, I think I might still have my old one (I'm a packrat), and if so, I'll be happy to give you my old tongue jack, but it will cost you more to ship it than it's worth. Your call.

You can let me know if you're interested.

P.S. When unhitching on a side hill, be absolutely sure you are on the uphill side of the tongue...and that NOBODY is in harm's way downhill. If a wheel chock fails to "bite," you and everyone else needs to avoid getting run over.
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Old 11-15-2021, 06:25 PM   #10
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If for any reason enlarging the hole is not an option, you might consider a bolt on tongue jack.
https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Jac...on/DL97MR.html

All you need is a decent drill, probably a 3/8" bit (and a small pilot bit), and some bolts.
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Old 11-16-2021, 05:17 AM   #11
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If you decide to use a sabre saw to cut the hole bigger, try this trick. Use aviation shears to cut a hacksaw blade to fit your sabre saw. Hacksaw blades are made for cutting metal and are much more flexible. Also much cheaper.
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