Double scissor jack for trailer ramp?

All,

I have a new (to me) glider and trailer. Good rig, but like most things,
capable of improvement.

The ramp that extends from the back of the trailer for assembly has a
single, car style scissor (spare tire) jack for raising and lowering the
fuselage. It rocks back and forth a bit too much, and that makes it a bit
too unstable for my taste.

I see other trailers with a double scissor jack that are clearly more
stable, and would like to go that direction. Can't find any info on Our
Friend the Internet about how to do that, though.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Are there any of these, new or used, available? (Yes, I know I could order
one from Cobra or Komet, but would like to save that for a last resort.
Looking for something here in USA, if possible.)

Any spares from trailers no longer in use?

Making one of these is acceptable, but would like some advice on types of
jacks to get, how to connect them, etc.

Thanks in advance for your advice,
Bullwinkle

Bullwinkle wrote:

I have a new (to me) glider and trailer. Good rig, but like most things,
capable of improvement.

The ramp that extends from the back of the trailer for assembly has a
single, car style scissor (spare tire) jack for raising and lowering the
fuselage. It rocks back and forth a bit too much, and that makes it a bit
too unstable for my taste.

One of our club trailers had a pair of scissor jacks, but they were old
and one eventually stripped its thread. We replaced it with a single
jack that was already at the club. That works OK but, as you say, its
less stable.

The problem is to find a (pair of) jacks with narrow enough spans to fit
side by side within the width of the tail ramp. None of the screw jacks
I could find in car places were narrow enough and the hydraulic jacks
were all too tall. However, I did do some research and found a source of
suitably small screw jacks, though not until after the ramp had been
repaired.

The jacks you need were made for British sports cars. They are narrow
because they were kept inside the spare wheel. They are still made: find
one of the specialists who supply parts for Triumph or MG sports cars
should be able to sell you suitable jacks for a reasonable price.

The jacks are set to the same height and welded into the ramp's rear U
channel and ground support after lining them up the same way and using a
sleeve to join the screws together.

--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. |
org | Zappa fan & glider pilot

I used a couple of Honda Civic scissor jacks.
They are light weight and compact.
When collapsed the jack ideally should have the screw stick out of
the threaded thrust bearing just a bit (as oppose to being flush).
This allows a fork to be welded on to connect a shaft, without interfering
with the threaded portion of the jack. If the welding interferes with the
thread you will not be able to collapse the jack completely.
In any case, if you get a couple of jacks you will see what is needed
and what needs to be done.
Udo




Friend the Internet about how to do that, though.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Are there any of these, new or used, available? (Yes, I know I could order
one from Cobra or Komet, but would like to save that for a last resort.
Looking for something here in USA, if possible.)

Any spares from trailers no longer in use?

Making one of these is acceptable, but would like some advice on types of
jacks to get, how to connect them, etc.

Thanks in advance for your advice,
Bullwinkle

Make certain the jack lifting pad moves in a straight vertical motion.
Some scissor jacks let the lift pad translate as it moves vertically.

Gale Winnett

When you say "back and forth", I think of "side to side". If that is right,
attach small chains at each end (side) so that when the ramp is raised high
enough to allow lowering the main wheel, these chains become taught. Cheap
and easy!

Bob (RS)

"Bullwinkle" wrote in message
...
All,

I have a new (to me) glider and trailer. Good rig, but like most things,
capable of improvement.

The ramp that extends from the back of the trailer for assembly has a
single, car style scissor (spare tire) jack for raising and lowering the
fuselage. It rocks back and forth a bit too much, and that makes it a bit
too unstable for my taste.

I purchased two regular scissor jacks for mine and slaved them
together. About $10 each at:

http://www.toolshopusa.com

I have been intrigued with trying a leveling jack:

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/r...ling-jacks.htm

Tim

I saw an interesting jack yesterday at Harbor Freight.. It was a
hydraulic scissor jack. Looked like it might be stable enough that you
could use just one in the middle. I tried to find it online just now
and can't locate it. When I go back out there, I will look at it
closer..



Larry

"01" USA

Here is a link to one that looks like the one I saw at Harbor Freight.



http://www.autobarn.net/mvp22lbhydsc.html



YMMV,



Larry





"01-- Zero One" wrote in message
:

I saw an interesting jack yesterday at Harbor Freight.. It was a
hydraulic scissor jack. Looked like it might be stable enough that you
could use just one in the middle. I tried to find it online just now
and can't locate it. When I go back out there, I will look at it
closer..



Larry

"01" USA