To Jack or Not to Jack
 

I've never jacked up my boats and taken the weight off the tires for winter storage, curious if there is a concensus on the board. Granted I've never owned anything over 20 foot and my boat is usually fished up to November and starts in April, but I've never felt that down time required putting it up on blocks and to date, never had issues attributed to that fact.

I do jack, just did it Saturday. Time out of water similar to you: Dec - end of March. Since a 20ft boat easy to do, so I do it.

I jack too, figure it can't hurt........ 21' and same time out (still have to winterize though)

Bob, if you do jack, I would recommend blocking under the frame not the axle(s) that way you give the springs a rest as well as the tires..

I also put tires down cellar to keep out of sun which wears down the rubber.

I jack my 22' every year, usually txsgiving to 1st week april. Jack the trailer frame and cover tires to protect from sun. Also lube the tire stems, help with the saltwater corrosion from launching.

15 seasons on the old single axle trailer. never jacked it. Only had one flat in all those years so i changed both tires, that was after about 8-10 years.


My new trailer is tandem axle, even more reason not to bother....

But of course its up to you, it certainly cant' hurt.

If its on dirt/grass whatever, I would drive up onto short planks.

I have a 21' boat as well. I don't bother jacking it up. If the trailer parts wear out, they wear out.

Remember when people say they get 10+ (or any number of years) without any mechanical issues: question how much the trailer is used in a season!

I use mine >30-40+ times a season driving on average 25-30+ miles each way, hiway speeds mostly. Within 1st 4 years already blew a tire (tandem trailer replaced all 4 tires for safety), and new bearings.