If you struggle to use a manual tongue jack to raise your travel trailer, or even if you hate grinding away with an electric one, you've probably tried stacking blocks under the jack foot to reduce the amount of jacking. Here's a quick, inexpensive, and safer way to make up the difference in height.
Visit your local lumber yard and pick up a 4' length of 2" x 6" dimensional lumber. Cut the the piece into these lengths: One each of 12", 16", 20", and 24"--yes, you'll have a couple of inches left over. On top of the 24" piece, lay the 20" piece down flat, and line up the "back" edges. Screw or nail the two pieces together. Now on the top of the 20" piece, lay down the 16" piece and repeat the process. Essentially you are building a stair-step like platform. Each step is 1 1/2" taller, so that in the end, you'll have a set of steps that peaks at 6" above the ground.
When you park and are ready to use the tongue jack, simply slide the tallest "step" that will slide under the jack foot in place, and viola! Less jack extension required, and less loose material that could "slip" and cause problems.
You can build your steps taller as required for your situation by increasing the length of the 2 x 6 that you begin the project with. If you find yourself camping in areas where the ground is a bit "iffy," you could increase the lumber size to 2" x 8" or even larger to give you a wider footprint. If you use screws for your project, you may find it advantageous to drill pilot holes to preclude wood splitting and to make the screws go in easier. Many "Mom and Pop" hardware stores will cut your lumber for you at little or no cost.
Don't you mean at least a 6 foot length of 2x6, not a 4 foot length? 12+16+20+24=72 inches, or 6 feet.
ReplyDeleteMama always told me that math wasn't my strong suit!
DeleteA picture is worth a thousand words, esp. in this instance.
ReplyDeleteI've used an axle stand under my tongue jack for years. Simply slip one of the "ears" into the jack tube. If on soft surfaces, I have a 12x12x3/4 plywood to lay on the ground. It's all lighter than blocking and it is adjustable for height.
ReplyDelete"Many "Mom and Pop" hardware stores will cut your lumber for you at little or no cost."
ReplyDeleteAs well as Home Depot. I work at one. 1st cut is generally free, remaining cuts would normally cost. Check out the "cull" lumber bin that all Home Depots have. Usually they are 2X4's cut in half (currently running $0.51 each). I have seen the wider 2X in the bins at times (and some shelf material & plywood). But if all you need is a couple pieces of "scrap" for this or a similar project, it's a cheap way to get the lumber. It disappears shortly after the store is open. But look for the cart any time you are in there. In our store, the culls cart in usually someplace in the Lumber Dept. Lumber gets culled on pretty much a daily basis during the week. Ask the guy working that dept if they have any culls in the size you are interested in. He may have some that just haven't been cut up yet. Never hurts to ask!