(Chip Bearden) wrote in message . com...
I've never had a problem in 25 years of Komet and Cobra jacks (why am
I tempting fate by saying this????). I crank up the wheel with the
handle and tighten it...hard. I raise the jack post and secure that
handle...hard. It does provide some protection for the hand brake
mechanism that protrudes below the tongue on some trailers.

But that's if I do it. If I'm entrusting the task to my crew, I tell
them to just remove it and throw it in the van. Years ago my wife
tightened the retaining handle to her satisfaction but the jack
loosened and dropped. I replaced the melted wheel with a hardware
store version. According to her, the smoke from the dragging wheel
caused passing motorists, and her, to think the car was on fire.

Chip Bearden

When I crank up the wheel, I run a short length of chain through the
wheel housing that is attached to the tow bar via a climber's quick
disconnect.
Removing the entire jack seems like an overkill.
Bela