X17Z Electric Tongue Jack Suggestions

[rbendy]

Hello!

I'd like to install an electric tongue jack for my X17Z. I realize this probably isn't necessary considering the size of this camper but 1) I'm a girl doing it by myself, and I'm beat by time I'm done, lol and 2) more importantly, I've recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, which I have quite severely in my right wrist, so that makes it more difficult to do things the manual way.

Anyway, I've seen some posts suggest the Barker VIP tongue jack which me being from MI I would be thrilled to buy from a company who manufactures them here in my home state. Here's the question?! Has anyone installed an electric tongue jack on your X17Z? And if so what post size do I need? I see there is a 2" and 2 1/4" and I want to make sure I get the right one.

Thanks in advance!!

[glsimms]

I'm going with the Barker power jack as well, it has a 2 year warranty, just like our Jayco's!!

For my X23B, I need the 2 1/4" post. Because you have asmaller trailer, I'm assuming you need the 2" post.

[Locky66]

Hello fellow Michigander, the Barker #3000 pound one would work perfect for your trailer.

[LongIslandCamper]

Here is the one we put on our x17z. It works great and I think everyone should have a power jack. The only downside is the plate on the jack that lays on the trailer frame. If you look at your current hand jack then you will see it is a trapezoid shape. The Barker jack has a round plate so it's not the most perfect fit, but it worked great for us!

[rbendy]

Excellent! Thanks everyone! I figured it was the 2" post but just wanted to be sure. Can't wait to get it and install it. First trip of this year will be Memorial day weekend so I would love to be able to use it then.

[tlhdoc]

I have the Barker jack installed on my Z. I don't remember the size, but think it was 2". I cut off part of the round mounting ring on the Barker jack, so the mounting ring would sit flat.

[mcfarmall]

You could measure the diameter of your current manual jack and get the electric one that matches. If you don't have any calipers meacure the circumference with a tailors tape and divide the result by 3.1415927 to get the diameter.

[rbendy]

I'm back!! lol So I've got my Barker VIP jack and it's all nicely installed........but.....it doesn't work. So, what am I doing wrong? The frame was powder coated around the bolt holes and so I striped that to bare metal like the instructions say. I placed those lock washers between the trailer frame and the mounting ring of the tongue jack...So here is the part that is frustrating me. I bought a 12-10 gauge 3/8" connector ring and "tried" to crimp it to the end of the wire. Problem is I just don't have the strength. The wire is seated but I'm guess it's just not enough. I connected it to the + end of the battery and nothing...no night light, no up or down motion. Any suggestions?

Oh and yes the battery is charged..

Thanks!

[glsimms]

Hey rbendy....

I have installed my Barker VIP since I posted above. I did what you did as well and everything works like it should. I did use a crimper on the connector ring, so maybe that is your problem. See if you can get or borrow one and try it again.

Hey I just found this video of a Barker installation......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38Q_gy4Lvt4

When the guy gets everything installed and hooked up, guess what??? Nothing happens! He says it was the connectors he used, so he got some different ones and now the jack works fine!

[rbendy]

Yes, I saw that video as well. May I ask what kind of connector you purchased? I couldn't find what I needed at any of the big box stores so ended up buying "autocraft" brand connectors from Auto Zone. How the heck do you know what's good and what's not? lol

[rbendy]

OK, I'm an idiot. Got it working and it's a beaut! So thrilled to know that hopefully I'll never manually crank again!

[Nathan48035]

What size did you end up getting? I saw someone had mentioned that you probably need a 2". Did that work for you? I have an X18D and from my measurements it looks like it is 2.25", but I'm doubting my measurement, because it seems like such a small trailer that I would expect it to be the smaller size. Also, how close does the front bunk come to the jack? Is there plenty of clearance? I'm looking at getting the Barker VIP as well, but I can't find the height on their website. I thought I saw on a post somewhere on here where you have to be careful of that with the fold down beds.

[rbendy]

I did end up with the 2" post. It fits perfectly. Only pain was the round mounting plate versus the trapezoidal original one. I had to grind the front edge flat so it would fit better. As far as the front bunk goes, there are no issues there. The top of the tongue jack sits lower than the top of the propane bottle, so I've got more clearance for the jack than I do the propane bottle. lol I think that only comes into play if you get the type that has a lift of greater than 18". Those sit pretty high and I would think would cause a problem for sure. Good luck! You'll love your Barker!

[chuckworkb]

Do these power jacks have a manual crank option?

[Heady]

I just ordered a Husky Brute 4,500 jack with remote fob from Amazon for my x20e. Will let everyone know how it goes once it is received and installed.

[chuckworkb]

I wonder why they make all the mounting plates round forcing people to cut them to fit.

[Nathan48035]

Good to hear. Thanks.

[29BHS ECO]

We just got / installed a Husky 3000 W/ 2" post. it cost $150.00 on amazon. Amazon offered a $20.00 discount if you sign up for their visa card, another no brainer net $120.00 & no freight charges Larry

[campingva]

Originally Posted by chuckworkb

Do these power jacks have a manual crank option?

Most of them do and will say so. They are not really good if the jack breaks but they do have them. I kept the original jack that came with mine just in case and have had to use it one time when a cheap jack broke.

[vaskohop]

Any auto parts store will have good connectors. I would suggest spending a little more $ for the heat shrink connectors.