Trailer jack won't retract high enough for storage

[Extremeboating]

I got a stupid issue I'm dealing with here. I park my rig in the garage and recently replaced the jack with a Fulton F2 for better jack handle to boat clearance. The jack is fully height adjustable and I have it setup exactly where it needs to be at a height that is optimal for the trailer and the boat as well. I recently tried hooking up to give my engine a quick water test and found that the slope angle of the driveway while the truck is out is just a bit too much for the jack to clear when in the garage in order to move it to the stored position. When I tried to lower the jack and also move it back into the stored position while the boat/ trailer/ truck is on level ground I had zero issues.

Anyone who have this trailer jack or have run into a similar situation have any ideas on how to remedy this? Lower the jack and ride on it slowly before the boat gets put into the garage and vice versa when hooking up to run perhaps? It's a stout jack and looks to be able to handle some serious weight (1600 lbs) Here is a photo of the jack for reference. Thanks in advance.

PXL_20240112_021354574.jpg

[buzzin frog]

Put a smaller wheel on the jack.

[Extremeboating]

Put a smaller wheel on the jack.

I'm not sure they sell a smaller wheel for them than what they have.

[Highcentered]

I have the same problem on my Xpress trailer. I back up a slight slope to get under the carport and at least half the time I have to kick the jack to get the wheel on and off the ground. Had the same problem with my Tracker trailer. My solution will be to eventually replace my 2" drop with a zero drop because the trailer sits a little nose down anyway when hooked to my Ram. I just never think about it when at the store and had the same one installed for the whole 5.5 years I've had this truck, lol.

[Extremeboating]

I have the same problem on my Xpress trailer. I back up a slight slope to get under the carport and at least half the time I have to kick the jack to get the wheel on and off the ground. Had the same problem with my Tracker trailer. My solution will be to eventually replace my 2" drop with a zero drop because the trailer sits a little nose down anyway when hooked to my Ram. I just never think about it when at the store and had the same one installed for the whole 5.5 years I've had this truck, lol.

I may have to start considering the same with mine. The trailer DOES sit level, however, with the 2" drop as my trailer hitch height is 19" and the trailer/ boat is 19" as well level, so maybe a 1" drop may give me just enough clearance that I need while trying to hook up in the garage from the driveway. I don't think an inch or two would hurt anything as far as trailer dynamics go while towing on the road right?

[mikeky]

I may have to start considering the same with mine. The trailer DOES sit level, however, with the 2" drop as my trailer hitch height is 19" and the trailer/ boat is 19" as well level, so maybe a 1" drop may give me just enough clearance that I need while trying to hook up in the garage from the driveway. I don't think an inch or two would hurt anything as far as trailer dynamics go while towing on the road right?

Single axle trailer? If so, raise your hitch as much as you need to to get your desired result.

[catdude28]

Single axle trailer? If so, raise your hitch as much as you need to to get your desired result.

Exactly how I solved the same issue on my Lund. Just raise the drop of the hitch.

[Extremeboating]

No penalty to trailer dynamics while towing? I don't want to cause instability, odd handling, or a potentially dangerous situation all because I raised the hitch a few inches and the trailer is no longer level.

Single axle trailer, yes.

[mikeky]

No penalty to trailer dynamics while towing? I don't want to cause instability, odd handling, or a potentially dangerous situation all because I raised the hitch a few inches and the trailer is no longer level.

Single axle trailer, yes.

No issues at all

[Extremeboating]

No issues at all

Perhaps a zero drop would be more than plenty then. I'll have to look and see if I can find a receiver like that.

[billnorman1]

Different drop on the hitch, move the jack to the center beam of the trailer. I'm very interested, where was your jack made?

[Extremeboating]

Different drop on the hitch, move the jack to the center beam of the trailer. I'm very interested, where was your jack made?

Moving the jack to the center beam is not possible as there is not enough space on it.

[Highcentered]

Perhaps a zero drop would be more than plenty then. I'll have to look and see if I can find a receiver like that.

Pretty sure you can find them just about anywhere. Walmart has them unless you have some kind of fancy hitch setup that uses proprietary parts.

[Extremeboating]

Pretty sure you can find them just about anywhere. Walmart has them unless you have some kind of fancy hitch setup that uses proprietary parts.

Nah I use a standard 2" hitch. I have checked Walmart before and I think all I ever saw was a 2.5" drop receiver/ ball assembly. I've been looking online and can't seem to find a standard style, nothing fancy setup. The stuff I find typically has 2 or 3 balls and looks plain stupid.

I called my local trailer store and they were mentioning anything not making the trailer level is bad news bears for safety and maneuverability. Given that the hitch would only alter the height 1 or 2 inches at most I can't see it distorting ride height a ton, but I've never messed with ride height a whole ton so I don't know. Maybe you or someone here has messed with that stuff enough to say differently.

[Highcentered]

Nah I use a standard 2" hitch. I have checked Walmart before and I think all I ever saw was a 2.5" drop receiver/ ball assembly. I've been looking online and can't seem to find a standard style, nothing fancy setup. The stuff I find typically has 2 or 3 balls and looks plain stupid.

I called my local trailer store and they were mentioning anything not making the trailer level is bad news bears for safety and maneuverability. Given that the hitch would only alter the height 1 or 2 inches at most I can't see it distorting ride height a ton, but I've never messed with ride height a whole ton so I don't know. Maybe you or someone here has messed with that stuff enough to say differently.

As long as it isn't nosed up more than a couple inches you'll be fine. All that matters is how it pulls. HEY, why not just turn what you have upside-down? I'll probably just do that with mine and see how it does. Just need a big crescent wrench and gorilla arms to flip the ball if you don't have a big enough impact socket and an impact with the "I'm not asking nicely" seting. I use a big old janky crescent wrench that's been seized to the size I need for over 20 years.

[Extremeboating]

As long as it isn't nosed up more than a couple inches you'll be fine. All that matters is how it pulls. HEY, why not just turn what you have upside-down? I'll probably just do that with mine and see how it does. Just need a big crescent wrench and gorilla arms to flip the ball if you don't have a big enough impact socket and an impact with the "I'm not asking nicely" seting. I use a big old janky crescent wrench that's been seized to the size I need for over 20 years.

I think what I have will raise it 1/2" above what it's supposed to be. I considered it but then decided against it because that ball is torqued to 250 ft lbs and on top of that it may just be more than the trailer might like.

[mikeky]

I called my local trailer store and they were mentioning anything not making the trailer level is bad news bears for safety and maneuverability.

I don't see how maneuverability would be affected. If you have a bathroom scale, set the jack wheel on it. Check the weight at the level you tow at, then raise it up a couple of inches. A significant change in tongue weight would be the only thing that would make a difference.