Do I or Don't I - what's your opinion ?

[JohnM20]

Hi All
I currently have a 2 tonne trolley jack that I take with me when caravanning but have considered buying a Kojak Lite bottle jack. It will weigh considerably less and take up less room although room in the car is not usually an issue. The question is do I keep what I have got or spend £70 - £80 on something that, hopefully, I may never use. I know this is tempting fate but in nearly 30 years caravanning I have never had to use any jack to lift the caravan whilst we have been away but that doesn't stop me carting the trolley jack around with me. I keep asking myself 'how much extra fuel do I use transporting the extra weight of the trolley jack?' £80 would buy about 12 gallons of diesel. I probably do about 4,000 miles per year towing, or at least with the trolley jack in the boot.
The other question, of course, is are Kojaks any good in comparison with a trolley jack.
Help with my dilema would be appreciated.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello John,

Unless space is a problem (Which you tell us it's not) so why spend money to duplicate a facility you already have.

There may be weight saving with Kojack, I doubt you could easily measure or quantify the potential fuel saving. I expect that ambient wind speeds will have a greater effect than the few Kg extra of your jack.

Also, there have been some reports (here on this forum) of Kojacks leaking and failing.

Save your money and stick with your own reliable jack.

 

[Mike_S]

Hello John
i am one of those forum members who had a kojack lite that failed, fortunately when I was going to do some routine service (actually to take the wheels off to check tyre condition) and not stuck at the roadside. I bought a 2 ton trolley jack with case from Machine Mart which I use for car (SeatAlhambra) and caravan.
In short forget Kojack!

Mike

 

[Oldsalt49]

I would not advise getting a Kojack, mine collapsed on me (not me!!) when the seals failed. I have since replaced the seals from some I found at work. I have had it losing oil in it's storage box. This is an example of the usual chinese junk (not the nautical variety) that we are daily getting shipped into our country. Stick with what you have John, don't waste your money.

 

[JohnM20]

Thanks everyone, I'll keep my trolley jack. At least I will be able to use it on either the car or caravan should the need arise - but hopefully not.

 

[Surfer]

Thanks everyone, I'll keep my trolley jack. At least I will be able to use it on either the car or caravan should the need arise - but hopefully not.

Surely it is better to join Green Flag and they will change the wheel on the caravan for you saving you carrying heavy jacks around plus you get breakdown cover?

 

[Dustydog]

John

See this SBS
Offline
Joined: 15 Mar 2007
The instalation and user sheet for the 530 can be found here:http://www.gradeuk.co.uk/assets/pdfs/530_ENG/530_ENG.pdfMike

 

[JohnM20]

Hi Surfer
Thanks for the suggestion but I am already in Green Flag and also take out Red Pennant whilst I'm in Europe. Generally speaking I can change a wheel in under 15 minutes which is far less than the average wait for a breakdown service. I would only use GF or RP for things that I can't easily and safely do for myself.

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

hi John,
I carry a small bottle jack in the car (only weighs just over a kilo), just in case, but I must agree with Surfer regarding GF, it depends on the circumstances involved of course, but would not hesitate in calling them, having said that I have never had to use either GF or the jack. as yet, so go with what feels right, a Kojack though don't bother.

 

[TD42]

well,I seem to differ from most others. My caravan had a mover in front off the wheels & the spare carrier behind the wheel & as the only place you should jack from is under the axle or main axle plate behind the wheel I found that it was very difficult to place & pump a trolly Jack OR a bottle jack .I bought an Original scissor Kojack & found the ease of use both on the van & my car made wheel changing a doddle,& no leaking valves. so much so that I dumped the car jack

TD

 

[RayS]

I carried a trolley jack for about 15 years of Continental touring and then decided the weight penalty was too much, bought a lightweight bottle jack, had a pad made for the top to give a better lifting point, left the trolley jack at home and - guess what ? - first puncture on a caravan since starting in 1967. Bottle jack too tall to get under the chassis, had to excavate the road ( fortunately only gravel) and took over an hour to change the wheel. Now bottle jack stays home and trolley jack enjoys the ride.

If I didn't already have a trolley jack I would have a look at the lightweight aluminum 'racing' versions offerd by Machinery Mart and others.
Now I put the jack behind my seat in the car and the caravan spare in the car boot for quick access on long trips in winter. This soulds like the sort of insurance which will prevent any further mishaps.

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

well,I seem to differ from most others. My caravan had a mover in front off the wheels & the spare carrier behind the wheel & as the only place you should jack from is under the axle or main axle plate behind the wheel I found that it was very difficult to place & pump a trolly Jack OR a bottle jack .I bought an Original scissor Kojack & found the ease of use both on the van & my car made wheel changing a doddle,& no leaking valves. so much so that I dumped the car jack

TD

I also have a mover in front of the wheels but the small jack similar to this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15cwt-Screw-JACK-LAKE-ELLIOT-S414-5in-high-/400475632137?pt=UK_Car_Parts_Vehicles_Automobila_ET&hash=item5d3e353209
lifts it no bother thats how i get the wheels off during winter to rest the suspension,

 

[Gafferbill]

.....trolley jacks are designed to be used on a hard surface (concrete) as the jack has to be able to move backwards and forwards on its wheels as it lifts and lowers. This is because the jack lifts and lowers in an arc. If the wheels cannot move the jacking point will be unstable during lifting and lowering
For this reason I would not carry one to use as a caravan jack as lifting may be needed on gravel or soft surfaces.

 

[RayS]

Quite right Gaffer. I forgot to say that on such surfaces I use the trolley jack on a stong plank which otherwise is under the electric chiller box to keep the bottom clean. The plank also spreads the load and stops the jack sinking in.