Electric Jack on 28BHBE

[NY RVer]

Went out this morning to lift the front of my trailer in case we start getting some warmer temps, and snow melts, but seems like batteries may be dead even though trailer has been plugged in. I tried with the backup hand tool and can't get jack to move either. Any chance it could be frozen? I did not want to force it causing possible damage. Just curious if anyone else has had this problem.

 

[Camper_bob]

Wish I could help, but if the manual crank doesn't work, I'm stuck.

Some of those motors (mine included) get water in them pretty easy, so it could be that, or the water intrusion could've caused the motor to seize....

 

[NY RVer]

I may try heating it up with a heat gun and see if it at least moves a bit. Don't think it is frozen with rust, as it really only has been sitting since October; thinking may be frozen with the temps we have been having in the Northeast.

 

[spoon059]

My in-laws just had the same issue. They packed up to leave for Florida a little over a week ago. The electric jack didn't work. I didn't talk to them, but apparently the manual override didn't work either. FIL eventually removed the jack and put it in the back of his truck.


They got to South Carolina for the night, tried the jack again and it worked fine. They have moved to 2 different locations since then, its worked every time. Must have been frozen. Seems weird to me that it could freeze and not be budged even with the manual over ride...

 

[oldmanAZ]

Ice is powerful stuff.

I've seen photos with plastic buckets upside down over the top of the electric tongue jack. Maybe that would help keep the snow and water out.

 

[NY RVer]

Florida is my goal either this month or next, depending on work, that is why I started cleaning around it. I thought about the bucket today, and told my family I should have done that...I guess next year!

 

[Crabman]

Did you confirm if your batteries were dead? That would be a concern as well as the jack issue if it was plugged in.

 

[NY RVer]

Ice is powerful stuff.

I've seen photos with plastic buckets upside down over the top of the electric tongue jack. Maybe that would help keep the snow and water out.

By the way, how is that 6.0 treating you; just saw your signature?

 

[NY RVer]

Did you confirm if your batteries were dead? That would be a concern as well as the jack issue if it was plugged in.

No Crabman, I didn't yet, as the weather was horrible when I got home. That will be my next step when weather clears up. I am assuming if the jack is frozen with ice, that the fuse would blow also as soon as I hit the switch. Was surprised that manual crank did not work, that is why I figured has to be ice.

How is the weather down your way? Plan on getting away to a warmer area as soon as I can, but don't know if I am up to the drive to Fla for just a week or so. Did it quite a few times in the past without the TT with no problem, but towing will be different. It will be just the wife and I this time, so just want to relax along the way and thaw out from this winter.

 

[oldmanAZ]

By the way, how is that 6.0 treating you; just saw your signature?

Over 300,000 mi and going strong. Yours?

 

[Crabman]

Its no picnic here either, we went below zero on the night of 2/20 and that`s a big deal here. Much of the Chesapeake bay is froze up, very unusual for March. Record cold forecast again Thursday night and more snow. Yikes.

As for the batteries, a quick way to find out is unplug the shorepower then try turning on the lights in the trailer. No lights mean a dead battery.....

And I am also a bucket over the jack guy, it works.

 

[NY RVer]

Over 300,000 mi and going strong. Yours?

That's what I like to hear! My goal has always been 300,000 for it; have 191,000 on it now.

 

[oldmanAZ]

That's what I like to hear! My goal has always been 300,000 for it; have 191,000 on it now.

Clean fuel & clean oil makes all the difference to the 6.0! I've had some stiction issues (my fault) and have gone to 10w-30 blend and Archoil additive to correct.

Let's not highjack the thread. Open an new one or PM if you'd like.

 

[MarkeMark]

Poorly sealed tongue jack

Something similar happened to me. My 32rlds was only 3 months old when the 99 dollar tongue jack froze up. I took the cover off the top of the jack to find it full of water. Jayco warranty covered the replacement. I now store my bucket over the jack between uses.

 

[NY RVer]

Something similar happened to me. My 32rlds was only 3 months old when the 99 dollar tongue jack froze up. I took the cover off the top of the jack to find it full of water. Jayco warranty covered the replacement. I now store my bucket over the jack between uses.

Poor design. It would probably only need a gasket under the manual crank opening, because the rest, if I remember correctly, is all one plastic piece. Seems like a common problem, because I called the dealer, and they didn't hesitate to tell me they would get another from Jayco if it didn't work when it warmed up outside.

 

[Camper_bob]

Poor design. It would probably only need a gasket under the manual crank opening, because the rest, if I remember correctly, is all one plastic piece. Seems like a common problem, because I called the dealer, and they didn't hesitate to tell me they would get another from Jayco if it didn't work when it warmed up outside.

Mine is terrible. I'm convinced the only reason it's still alive is because I started covering it with a trash can last year. I was using it once after a rain storm and all this water started leaking out, I thought "THAT can't be good."

My plan is to replace it with this:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0063ZBXZC/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2MTIWETNB0WSS&coliid=I3O335NMUDX8B7

If it gives up before my warranty is up, I'm hoping my dealer will work with me and just pay me what a warranty replacement would be worth and I'll use that toward the purchase of this one. If it's outside warranty, that's okay too, I just want a better product than the one Jayco puts on there.

 

[DesertRVers]

Thanks for the tips everyone. After reading these comments, I think we'll be covering our tongue jack with a pail or small trash can too!

 

[Crabman]

BTW my Barker 3000 tongue jack was also on my previous trailer and is now over 6 years old, never missed a beat. Made in Michigan, not Beiging or Peking or......