How to Choose the Right Trailer Jack for Your Boat?

[Renqiu, China] With the increasing popularity of sailing and recreational fishing, the choice of boat trailer jacks is gaining increasing attention. A good trailer jack not only ensures smooth embarkation and disembarkation but also improves overall safety and convenience during transport. However, many boat owners report that their jacks quickly rust, seize, and even fail at critical moments.

Why are trailer jacks so susceptible to damage?

Most jacks are exposed to rain, sunlight, and saltwater for extended periods. Jacks made of non-stainless steel or low-grade galvanized steel are particularly susceptible to corrosion in saltwater environments. Even in freshwater environments, lack of regular cleaning and lubrication can lead to worm gear wear and seizure, preventing the trailer from being properly hooked or moved.

How to Choose the Right Trailer Jack?

Use Environment

Freshwater environments: Powder-coated or conventionally galvanized jacks are generally adequate.

Saltwater environments: It is recommended to choose a jack with a self-healing zinc coating or aluminum components for high corrosion resistance, such as the commonly used aluminum alloys.

Corrosion Resistance

A jack's corrosion resistance is often measured by its salt spray test duration. For example, some products can withstand 100 hours of seawater immersion, while high-performance models can reach over 600 hours and come with a five-year warranty.

Lifting Height and Stroke

The jack must accommodate the height difference between the trailer and the towing vehicle. Common small models offer approximately 25 cm of stroke, while heavy-duty models can reach 38 cm.

Attachment

Bolt-on: Easy to install and fits most vehicle frames (3 inches wide and 5 inches high).

Welded: Requires professional installation and offers increased strength but reduced flexibility.

Load Capacity

The trailer's drawbar weight is generally 10%-15% of the total weight. If your boat and trailer weigh 10,000 pounds combined, you'll need a jack with a load capacity of 1,000-1,500 pounds.

Wheels and Base

Small single wheels can easily sink into mud or gravel.

Large or dual wheels make it easier to propel heavy boats.

If mobility is not required, straight-leg jacks with rectangular pads on the bottom offer greater stability.

Market Status and User Reviews

Many users believe that inexpensive jacks on the market have a short lifespan, lasting only a quarter. Regularly rinsing with clean water and applying marine lubricant can extend their lifespan, but choosing a high-quality, corrosion-resistant jack is the fundamental solution.

Advantages of Chenwei Machinery

As a professional trailer jack manufacturer in China, Renqiu Chenwei Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd. has been in the industry for over a decade. Our product range covers trailer jacks with load capacities ranging from 1,000 to 12,000 pounds, and we can also customize them to meet customer needs.

Using thickened steel and a high-performance coating, our jacks offer strong corrosion resistance and are suitable for both freshwater and saltwater environments.

Our products have been rigorously tested to international standards, with some models offering salt spray resistance for up to 600 hours.

Bolt-mounted and welded mounting options are supported.

We provide professional pre-sales consultation and after-sales support, earning high praise from users in the European and American markets.

Summary

Choosing the right trailer jack requires comprehensive consideration of the operating environment, corrosion resistance, lifting height, installation method, and load capacity. For boat owners who frequently engage in saltwater operations, investing in a jack with high corrosion resistance and a well-designed design can effectively prevent failures at critical moments. Chenwei Machinery is committed to working with customers worldwide to provide safer and more reliable solutions for boat transportation and towing.