FIC-ETJ3500 Tongue Jack Switch Failure

[JKyle]

I've noticed (for the short time) since I've owned my camper, when using the tongue jack, the RETRACT works fine, but the EXTEND always needs some extra pressure. I didn't notice it getting worse, but yesterday it just plain failed. Jack would raise but not lower. No biggie, I just broke out the hand crank and got the trailer tongue on to the truck. I've done my due diligence of keeping it covered when not in use. BUT, this camper sat on a dealer lot for nearly 18 months.

Despite having picked up the trailer last October, I became actual owner of it in late August. I assume this thing is still considered under warranty. I figure I'd contact the manufacturer directly. So I called and left a detailed message. I am waiting for their reply. Since I've never had to deal with Warranty stuff, is it okay to contact manufacturers directly: IF their component is still within their warranty period and not only Jayco's extended warranty time?

Should it go back to the dealer for repair? Probably. Do I want my camper in travel trailer jail for the remainder of my summer? No. It's a simple repair, even if it is more than only the rocker button/switch, as it looks like many times it is also related to the main circuit board, it's not a difficult repair. I found a good video showing the repair here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EYcHaO8u9U

I hope they call back and we can verify my date of sale, etc. and get the parts out to me. Does it work this way???

[Old and soft]

The few warranty issues I had were dealt with by my dealer. Since they are about 150 miles away, they had me text some pics to them. They sent them to jayco for approval. Once the parts arrived my dealer contacted me. We set an appointment for several Saturday's away. In and out in a couple of hours, never unhooked the trailer from my truck. Shout out to Larry's trailer sales in Mulkyville, Il

[JKyle]

Originally Posted by Old and soft

The few warranty issues I had were dealt with by my dealer. Since they are about 150 miles away, they had me text some pics to them. They sent them to jayco for approval. Once the parts arrived my dealer contacted me. We set an appointment for several Saturday's away. In and out in a couple of hours, never unhooked the trailer from my truck. Shout out to Larry's trailer sales in Mulkyville, Il

NICE! Perhaps I'll give the dealer a call. Today's the day I dip my toe into the 'repair under warranty process.' Wish me luck.

[norty1]

Be real sweet to them!

[JKyle]

I will.

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by JKyle

NICE! Perhaps I'll give the dealer a call. Today's the day I dip my toe into the 'repair under warranty process.' Wish me luck.

Lol good luck. While my trailer was under warranty, I had a few issues that I fixed myself because it was cheaper to fix than to tow it the 100 mile round trip to the dealer, plus the things I repaired took all of an hour while the dealer would've had it for a week. For me it was a cost vs. cost thing. Fortunately I had no major repairs needed during my warranty period. BTW, most of the things I fixed I dealt directly with the manufacturer.

[JKyle]

Actually received a call back from the FIC company. I just needed to prove I'm within warranty and sent a few photos of the unit and switch. They're going to send me the parts.

My dealer is 88 mile round trip. Figured I'd try this first.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by JKyle

Actually received a call back from the FIC company. I just needed to prove I'm within warranty and sent a few photos of the unit and switch. They're going to send me the parts.

..

[JKyle]

Thanks Grumpy. I know that at times it could be the circuit board possibly be going bad, too. But if a new switch gets it going again, I'll be happy with that...until it fails, again.

My camper was at the campground this past week, with my sister. I forgot to tell her to cover the jack with the 5 gallon bucket. There was SEVERE rain there a couple times. I'm sure that was the last straw for the jack.

[JKyle]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

..

Received my new tongue jack switch assembly from FIC, yesterday. It was the switch and all the long wires that run to the frame and battery.

I just got done installing it. I started from the tongue wiring and worked up to the jack. For me, it seemed easier that way.

All in all pretty easy. The biggest PIA of this jack is the housing. You need to be an octopus to get it back together.

I made (from what I see in videos) the COMMON mistake of the switch being installed upside-down. With this particular jack it's easy to do, because the orientation of the switch is on a plate and the plate also has its own orientation. So, I installed the switch into the plate correctly, but didn't realize the plate was upside-down as it was hanging there. I'd already sealed the switch inside the plate with Geocel when I realized my mistake. I was not taking it apart. So, now 'Down' and 'Up' are inverted. I was sure to test the jack before attempting to put all the housing's 3-D puzzle pieces back together. -Works great and was much easier than dragging the camper on an 80 mile round trip to the dealer.

[FISTEP]

Originally Posted by JKyle

Received my new tongue jack switch assembly from FIC, yesterday. It was the switch and all the long wires that run to the frame and battery...

Light switches in the UK are opposite to ours. Down turns the lights on.
Just pretend it's an English "caravan". 😁

[JKyle]

Originally Posted by FISTEP

Light switches in the UK are opposite to ours. Down turns the lights on.
Just pretend it's an English "caravan". 😁

Ha! I never knew this. Perfect!

[gunafulltime]

Originally Posted by JKyle

The biggest PIA of this jack is the housing. You need to be an octopus to get it back together.

Been there. Our FIC is still on the fritz! We may just replace it with a Barker or a Husky.

[JKyle]

Originally Posted by gunafulltime

Been there. Our FIC is still on the fritz! We may just replace it with a Barker or a Husky.

I'm already shopping for the replacement, only to be purchased when this one truly takes the terminal road to death.

As far as the housing. I used tape to hold everything together, until I could get the screws started.

[9919shawn]

Exact same thing happened with my jack. I replaced the switch with higher amperage one 3 times and they still failed in the down position. It wasn't worth the hassle, just bought a new jack (VEVOR Electric Trailer Jack, Power Tongue Jack Weight Capacity 3500 lbs, 9.84"-33.85" 150$CAD on amazon) Super easy install, been great all year.

[JKyle]

Originally Posted by 9919shawn

Exact same thing happened with my jack. I replaced the switch with higher amperage one 3 times and they still failed in the down position. It wasn't worth the hassle, just bought a new jack (VEVOR Electric Trailer Jack, Power Tongue Jack Weight Capacity 3500 lbs, 9.84"-33.85" 150$CAD on amazon) Super easy install, been great all year.

Good to know of a replacement with easy install. (Hole pattern match?) I only replied because I'm still under warranty, so parts were free. Yes, I installed myself, but I consider anything like that a learning experience, for me.
I need to learn and get more confident in my trailer wiring and general repair skills.

[JKyle]

After speaking directly with FIC regarding the part I'd need for the tongue jack, they shipped the part to me and for free because it's still under warranty. After speaking with FIC, I called my camper dealer and left a message for them to cancel my request with the service dept. regarding the tongue jack repair.

Well... I just received a call from my dealer's service department. It appears 'my new tongue jack' has been received and they want me to make an appointment for install.

I explained to the nice tech about how I had called to cancel that repair request and how I got the part myself and fixed it. Then I asked...is the tongue jack they received technically mine? He said YES! He said come pick it up, then keep it for when you might need it.

Sooo, I'll be making a trip to the dealer tomorrow to pick up my new, replacement tongue jack.

[gunafulltime]

Originally Posted by JKyle

After speaking directly with FIC regarding the part I'd need for the tongue jack, they shipped the part to me and for free because it's still under warranty. After speaking with FIC, I called my camper dealer and left a message for them to cancel my request with the service dept. regarding the tongue jack repair.

Well... I just received a call from my dealer's service department. It appears 'my new tongue jack' has been received and they want me to make an appointment for install.

I explained to the nice tech about how I had called to cancel that repair request and how I got the part myself and fixed it. Then I asked...is the tongue jack they received technically mine? He said YES! He said come pick it up, then keep it for when you might need it.

Sooo, I'll be making a trip to the dealer tomorrow to pick up my new, replacement tongue jack.

Sweet!!

[JFlightRisk]

Any day you can get free stuff is a GOOD day. Glad to hear they're letting you take it home. We're on our second SOB jack right now. The first broke the motor shaft after six years. It had a five-year warranty and could have been our own fault. I think the DW was raising it up until it stopped and fractured the shaft over time.

I stripped the switches and a couple of other things from the dead one and ordered a new one just like it. Spares are good!

[FISTEP]

Originally Posted by JKyle

...snip...


I explained to the nice tech about how I had called to cancel that repair request and how I got the part myself and fixed it. Then I asked...is the tongue jack they received technically mine? He said YES! He said come pick it up, then keep it for when you might need it.

Sooo, I'll be making a trip to the dealer tomorrow to pick up my new, replacement tongue jack.

Haha, it never hurts to ask!


So, I think it's pretty nice that both the manufacturer AND the dealership stepped up with a solution. Both get brownie points, in my opinion.