electric jack

[Rebecca]

Hi all, I am not sure what section to post this question in! I have not ever had a problem with this, but the last time we used our trailer (Jay Feather) it occurred to me that it might be a HUGE problem if the electric jack on the front of the trailer ever failed to work. I looked around it and could not see any way that you could manually raise it or lower it. I know, probably a silly question, but we are first time owners and totally did not get a proper walk through from the dealer. So far so good, just figuring it out as we go. But I sure would hate to have an issue with the jack! Can anyone explain how this works? Thanks!

[jasoncw]

I am 2 for 2 with trailers that had tongue jack failures. In my opinion, it is a matter of when, not if, it will fail.

There is usually some type of rubber or plastic plug on the top to remove, exposing a nut that is used to drive the shaft. It can be turned by the wrench provided with the trailer, usually also for manually operating the slide.

[TWP723]

Originally Posted by jasoncw

I am 2 for 2 with trailers that had tongue jack failures. In my opinion, it is a matter of when, not if, it will fail.

There is usually some type of rubber or plastic plug on the top to remove, exposing a nut that is used to drive the shaft. It can be turned by the wrench provided with the trailer, usually also for manually operating the slide.

X2

There should be a removable cover to expose the drive like Jason described.

[Scoutr2]

Originally Posted by jasoncw

I am 2 for 2 with trailers that had tongue jack failures. In my opinion, it is a matter of when, not if, it will fail.

There is usually some type of rubber or plastic plug on the top to remove, exposing a nut that is used to drive the shaft. It can be turned by the wrench provided with the trailer, usually also for manually operating the slide.

X3

I had to use the manual crank once when the fuse blew and I didn't have a large enough fuse to replace it. It takes a lot of cranking, but in a pinch it will do.

That said - I added an electric tongue jack to my 2007 Outback TT and I never had a failure in 8 years. And aside from blowing a fuse on my Jayco jack, I've had no problems with this one. But I hear of many people who have had problems. If the motor goes out, the manual crank will work. But if the gears give out, it could be a crap shoot as to whether the manual crank will do any good. Maybe someone else with experience can speak to that scenario.

[annie oakly]

That is what I am doing now, jack quit! On the top of the jack it is a small plastic level, that unscrew and comes off,
Looking a getting a Bulldog Jack, Anybody have one, or can recommend one

[RedHorse1]

I'd say it depends on which electric jack you have. I've seen them with the rubber plug on top (which can leak and cause the failure) and a bolt-head on the side for the wrench.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by annie oakly

That is what I am doing now, jack quit! On the top of the jack it is a small plastic level, that unscrew and comes off,
Looking a getting a Bulldog Jack, Anybody have one, or can recommend one

I replaced my factory jack with a Husky Brute and I love it! It uses a screw drive with ball bearings, so it's super smooth and quiet. I also went up to 4500 lbs from the factory 3500 lb jack.

Added: I had to use the manual override once with my old jack and it actually worked BETTER than using it with power! Only downside is I have to remove my propane tank cover to use it. Most jacks I have seen just use a small rubber grommet on top to access the manual override. My Husky actually requires you to disengage the motor before operating manually. Also the new jack is installed with a circuit breaker instead of a fuse, but the jack has "smart stop", so it's not going to be jack travel that trips the breaker if it goes.

[clubhouse]

My atwood elec jack has an opening on the face of it, facing the truck, for a handle that came with it. It requries the specific handle, not a a socket or wrench. I have used it once when I went to move my trailer from storage to home, forgot to bring my batteries with me and I was to lazy to drive the 1/3 mile home to get them.

[mike837go]

For the longevity of your jack:


COVER IT!!!!!


Any bit of water seeping in will ruin the electrical connections, the motor and/or the gear train.


I've got a 5 gallon bucket (part of fresh water collection when boondocking) that lives over the jack head when not underway.

[waynem]

I found a little bag at camping world to cover it up with. I also put the 7-pin round plug up inside it and pull the drawstring to keep it there. Hopefully it helps with corrosion on that too.