Setting boat & trailer on jack stands over the Winter

[OllieC]

My boat and tandem trailer are sitting in the yard and I'd like to get the wheels off the ground. I ended up buying 3 ton automotive jack stands, but reading the directions it says they're not recommended for RV's trailers, etc.

I know this is a dumb question, but do you think it'll be okay to support the boat and trailer over the winter with two jack stand in the back? The Weekender shouldn't weigh 3 tons....

 

[Jus Cruisin]

I'd just add some extra psi in the tires over the normal amount and call it a day. My Camaro is stored in the garage on its tires. I don't get it up in the air. One radials don't flat spot like bias plies did and two, I don't want to unload the suspension.

 

[Jus Cruisin]

If you are just adding stability by adjusting the jackstands tight to the trailer frame, sure. It wouldn't hurt. Just put plywood or block under the jackstands to keep them from sinking into the ground.

 

[OllieC]

I wanted to not flat spot the tires and relieve the stress on the leaf springs over the winter. I have some 16”x16” stamped concrete squares that I would set the jack stands on. So the plan is to lift it up so the tires are barely off the ground and support it all winter.

 

[Golfman25]

My guess it they’re concerned about how well they would fit the various trailers. What about hardwood blocks.

 

[Blueone]

I never did anything when winter storing the boat on the trailer….. never a problem

 

[Nater Potater]

I do like @Jus Cruisin mentioned and air the tires up to their max inflated pressure, and call it good.

 

[Bill Curtis]

Just a note: Not advisable to lift trailer one corner at a time. Could "spring / twist" the frame and damage it.

Should use 2 jacks on a side and lift evenly / gently, set stands on that side, let it down. Go to other side and repeat.

 

[ttmott]

I kept one of my boats on a 4-post car lift for a while. 4 jack stands were used, no place to put the trailer's tongue/hitch so the jack stands were on the side rails. The only thing I'd caution is trailers are designed to carry weight at the axle mounts and hitch; placing the jack stands needs to take that into consideration so the trailer isn't damaged.

 

[Skybolt]

Having done this in a boat yard for years, your best way of doing this is with cement blocks and taking the boat off of the trailer. If your going to keep it on the trailer your best bet is to put cement blocks under the axel(s) as close to the tires as possible.

But to be honest, your wasting your time, as leaving the boat on the trailer and the trailer on it's wheels for the winter is not an issue. It is done all of the time and worst case is you replace your tires every few years. If this boat is trailered regularly then this will need to be done sooner then later any way.

 

[OllieC]

Thanks for the input everyone - I’ll be returning the stands.

 

[my3sons]

I know this is a dumb question, but do you think it'll be okay to support the boat and trailer over the winter with two jack stand in the back? The Weekender shouldn't weigh 3 tons....

I wouldn’t put just two supports in the back. As pointed out, trailers frames are designed to have the weight carried at the points of the spring hangers and equalizers. If it were mine, I would add a little support right in front of the front axle and right behind the rear axle close to the spring hangers on the frame rails leaving some weight on the tires, that is what I did with my 290 that I trailered on a tandem axle trailer. Air up the tires and protect them from uv and all should be good. Leaving it just sit on the tires alone would be better than 2 jack stands at the back imo.

Different trailer for sure but notice how close the hydraulic levelers are to the axles. There’s nothing in the back.