Electric Jack Question

certified106 · 10-01-2014, 07:36 PM

So when looking at new Jaycos it is apparent they are now putting electric jacks on most models of which I am not a big fan. With my current manual jack I crank the truck up a bit with the jack after the ball is locked in to help make the weight distribution bars easier to hook up. With an electric jack can you still do that or will it hurt the jack?

sailor · 10-01-2014, 07:58 PM

The electric jacks have the capacity to lift the truck as you describe. I did that for several years.

nbhybrid · 10-02-2014, 04:12 AM

The power jacks have 3500lbs capacity. I am sure it will lift a truck.

I am like you I hate power jacks. Just do what I do. Replace it with a manual jack. It is a 20 minute swap out and sell the electric on ebay.

Mhoward324 · 10-02-2014, 05:33 AM

I have used my power jack to lift the truck and camper once connected to get the WD on easier and have not had any problems. Granted, I've only done this a couple of times so far, but the jack easily lifts both.

certified106 · 10-02-2014, 05:59 AM

Thanks guys! I always wondered about that. If I get another camper that has one I might just change it out eventually.

nbhybrid · 10-02-2014, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by certified106

Thanks guys! I always wondered about that. If I get another camper that has one I might just change it out eventually.

simple job. They usually come in a package with the power awning as well.

I hate both. Manual is as quick and always works

certified106 · 10-02-2014, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nbhybrid

simple job. They usually come in a package with the power awning as well.

I hate both. Manual is as quick and always works

I am not a fan of the power awning either and the tech at the Jayco dealer I have been talking to said he doesn't like them as they are way to expensive to work on for what they are. I really don't like the fact they cant be tipped down as much or secured as well as a manual awning.

Camper_bob · 10-02-2014, 07:31 AM

I disagree with the power-jack-hating. I love mine, even though it's the cheap crappy no-name brand one they stuck on there, it still works well and lifts my truck to make the bars easier to put on.

The worst thing about it is that the motor is susceptible to water intrusion. I use a trash can on top to protect it that also holds my power cord and chains, so I don't worry about it anymore. But when it craps out and dies, I'll replace it with this:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0063ZBXZC/...I3O335NMUDX8B7

If the power on the jack ever fails for whatever reason, I can still manually crank it. But as long as it works, I'm going to use the crap out of it.

jwstewar · 10-02-2014, 10:40 AM

Obviously those that hate the electric tongue jacks have never had to do jack a trailer with a heavy tongue wait up 2 or 3 times in a row. Crank it up to take the WD bars off. Let it back down to let the ball loose. Crank it up to get out from under it, then let it back down only to realize you have too many or too few blocks under the jack so you have to jack it back up and get back under with the vehicle to repeat the process. I'll keep my electric jack thank you on a 90 degree day and my 1400 lb of tongue weight.

nbhybrid · 10-02-2014, 10:44 AM

use to work at a dockyard back in the day and had to shunt trucks all around the yard...cranked a lot more weight than 1400lbs...

we didn't have one of those fancy trucks with a hydraulic 5th wheel plate.

nothing wrong with a little work out while camping since there is no gym

Hitch Pin · 10-02-2014, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwstewar

Obviously those that hate the electric tongue jacks have never had to do jack a trailer with a heavy tongue wait up 2 or 3 times in a row. Crank it up to take the WD bars off. Let it back down to let the ball loose. Crank it up to get out from under it, then let it back down only to realize you have too many or too few blocks under the jack so you have to jack it back up and get back under with the vehicle to repeat the process. I'll keep my electric jack thank you on a 90 degree day and my 1400 lb of tongue weight.

That's for sure, very well said. I'll take the electric jack any day over the old crank.

All I can say to those that hate the electric jack, is just keep on cranking, cranking and cranking and cranking!

**Crabman** · 10-02-2014, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by certified106

So when looking at new Jaycos it is apparent they are now putting electric jacks on most models of which I am not a big fan. With my current manual jack I crank the truck up a bit with the jack after the ball is locked in to help make the weight distribution bars easier to hook up. With an electric jack can you still do that or will it hurt the jack?

I have been lifting the trailer and truck to engage/disengage the WD system now for 6 years, dating back to my previous TT with my Barker 3000 power tongue jack. So yes they can do that, and very well. I would not go back to a manual jack. I get enough of a workout at work everyday!

Camper_bob · 10-02-2014, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwstewar

Obviously those that hate the electric tongue jacks have never had to do jack a trailer with a heavy tongue wait up 2 or 3 times in a row. Crank it up to take the WD bars off. Let it back down to let the ball loose. Crank it up to get out from under it, then let it back down only to realize you have too many or too few blocks under the jack so you have to jack it back up and get back under with the vehicle to repeat the process. I'll keep my electric jack thank you on a 90 degree day and my 1400 lb of tongue weight.

Psh, 90 degrees is cool down here. Try jacking the trailer manually in the sun when it's 110 and 80% humidity, you'll change your tune right quick. And I COULD use the workout!

Recently I parked my trailer, jacked up, got the bars off, let down, unhooked the hitch, jacked up to get out from under, leveled front to back. Then realized I wasn't level side to side, had to jack back up, hook back up, pull the trailer onto some leveling blocks, jack back up to get unhooked, then level front to back again. I 'bout wore my electric jack out that day, if I had to crank all that manually, they would have asked me to leave for the foul language!

Iraqvet05 · 10-02-2014, 01:31 PM

I certainly don't have the strength or endurance I used to have when I was younger and it was one of those miserably hot days that convinced me to buy an electric jack. If my TT had a two-speed manual jack that semi and some utility trailers have, that might have made the task a little easier.

SouthCo · 10-02-2014, 09:41 PM

To answer the OP question again, yes an electric jack can lift your tv to get the WDH bars on. For me it's not a question if I have the strength to use a manual jack. i have the strength but I'm happy my trailer came with it. If it breaks I have manual backup so no big deal. And if it does break it will be promptly replaced by another electric jack. they cost very little. And anybody who says they can manually setup as quick as someone with electric is crazy... Lol.

The Dster · 10-03-2014, 10:17 PM

I had a manual jack on my last trailer, it was some cranking but didn't bother me too much.. I recently got the electric jack on my new trailer and second time lifting it off the truck it just stopped working, I found the fuse holder off the battery to it and sure enough the 30amp fuse was blown.. I had a multi pack of fuses I took out of my old toy hauler and replaced it but now I'm scared of it.. I will have to do some research on it when I get time, but hunting season isn't the time to be working on stuff...

wwsmith111 · 10-04-2014, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nbhybrid

The power jacks have 3500lbs capacity. I am sure it will lift a truck.

I am like you I hate power jacks. Just do what I do. Replace it with a manual jack. It is a 20 minute swap out and sell the electric on ebay.

My new 2014 Eagle 338 rlts came with a 5000 lb capacity power jack. Why do you hate power jacks and why replace it. If you don't want to use the power feature just pop off the cap and use the crank???

nbhybrid · 10-04-2014, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwsmith111

My new 2014 Eagle 338 rlts came with a 5000 lb capacity power jack. Why do you hate power jacks and why replace it. If you don't want to use the power feature just pop off the cap and use the crank???

I don't know why the Op doesn't like them but since you quoted me, I prefer manual because of weight,size,price and speed. I can crank my X17A up and down faster than an electric.

certified106 · 10-04-2014, 08:20 AM

Guess I'm just old school and like manual stuff. I have had so much electronic stuff break at bad times. Also If I have to move the camper in the winter and there is no battery in it I have to put the battery back in just to jack it up?

Anyhow it isn't like I hate them I'm just not a fan of them. I will say from what I have heard here it sounds like they last a while so if I buy one with an electric jack I will use it until I have an issue.

bdill25366 · 10-04-2014, 12:19 PM

Our Jayco Radio/Navigation/back up camera just stopped working. Fuses look good and the only thing that we have done is change out the trailer battery. Not the batter that is with the Ford motor in the front. Any suggestions?

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