Trailer Jack Wheel - Is This Going To Fail?

[MurrayChalet]

We have a 2004 Chalet Arrowhead A-Frame trailer. I believe the weight, when full, likely exceeds 2000 lbs. A couple questions:

1. The way the detachable trailer jack wheel sits is a bit scary. It just looks like it could snap or fail at any moment, but thankfully hasn't yet.
   
   
2. Since the capacity says 1000 lbs on the wheel, I'm guessing my trailer wasn't intended to have this kind of setup. Unless of course the weight is a distributed number and thus it's only taking on 1/2 of the weight while the trailer wheels take the other 1/2? A few decades out of college so this stuff isn't coming back to me like it used to.

Any suggestions, comments, or recommendations would certainly be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[billbillbillbill]

A typical trailer only puts 10-20% of it's weight on the hitch. The rest is supported by the tires so it doesn't sound overloaded to me. I do find that when I am rolling a trailer, I prefer to have it lower so there is less stress on the trailer jack.

 

[kcsa75]

You should be fine. The weight on that wheel is probably no more than 300 pounds.

 

[generok]

Looks like nearly every jack wheel I've seen. Like folks above said, you probably have 200-300 lbs on that wheel max. The rest is on the main axle.

 

[gladecreekwy]

It’s fine

 

[Sneezer]

You are good. Mine always looked a little cockeyed as well, and I have a 3500 lb pup.

 

[Anthony Hitchings]

From someone who grossly overloaded his jack wheel during a failed uncoupling - its fine - those things are as tough as nails. AS always, I recommend tossing the wheel, replacing the axle with a looong bolt, and putting a ball bearing hub wheel (same diameter) on the two outside faces of the old jack wheel lower body - now you have a dual wheel jack - much easier to use.

 

[DiamondGirl]

Anthony Hitchings...

We’ve been looking around for a dual wheel Jack. Will have to copy yours soon. Thanks for sharing.

Happy Camping...

 

[Tyl]

Looks like nearly every jack wheel I've seen. Like folks above said, you probably have 200-300 lbs on that wheel max. The rest is on the main axle.

Agreed. Although I'll say the tongue jack on my 1980 Coleman is monstrous, including a metal wheel. It stays straight no matter the height or weight. I've never seen them built that tough.

 

[Dan Wilson]

Mine failed just this weekend. I think it had a crack and completely shattered when I got home and lowered it. Will replace with a foot. I always found the wheel to be useless anyhow.