Question

The Trailer Boat Experts

A guy I see at the boat ramp and I were talking over the weekend and he was telling me how he replaced the jack that came with his trailer and bought "a drop jack." I've never heard of a drop jack. Is this worth spending the $$ on something like this and what are the benefits of one? S. Cavitch, Cleveland, OH

S. Cavitch

Answered on: 6/2005

GEORGE: The drop jack, also called a "dropleg" has a handle to crank for the desired height. It's fast and sturdy and will work with most trailer boats but, instead of a wheel, it has a foot stand. MIKE: The drop jack that I am familiar with differs from a typical swivel jack as it does not swivel and they have a flat foot pad instead of a rolling wheel. The advantage to the drop jack is that they are rated for more weight (up to triple the rating of a standard swivel jack) and provide more travel, which may be advantageous if you have a really heavy trailer and a high bumper. The disadvantages are they are more expensive, do not fold out of the way when not in use and do not give you the ability to roll the trailer tongue with the wheel when not attached to the vehicle. The biggest disadvantage, in my opinion, is the fact that they do not fold out of the way when not in use. It could be another obstacle for you to avoid when launching your boat or winching it off/on.

the Trailer Boat Expert: Mike and George