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Old 03-17-2016, 03:48 PM   #1
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Atwood Electric Jack Issues

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We picked up our Escape 21' last month in Chilliwack and have 6 nights and 4 setups so far this year. Many more planned.
The high quality construction throughout is greatly appreciated.
There is however a grinding noise like metal in the gears of the Atwood Electric Jack that is cause for concern.
The Atwood detail sheet doesn't indicate any lubrication points nor are there any informational threads on the Escape Forum.
The jack operates just fine in both directions but we are concerned that it may fail at an inopportune time or location.

Does anyone have previous experience with the jack or can someone offer guidance before I contact ETI?

Thanks for the help.
Jim Tischer
Woodland, CA
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Old 03-17-2016, 04:05 PM   #2
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Check your paperwork for the Atwood Jack manual, may help.
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Old 03-17-2016, 04:20 PM   #3
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Ours makes the noise you describe when fully retracted or extended but not in between the two endpoints.
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Old 03-17-2016, 09:29 PM   #4
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Thanks Harley & Rossue
The Atwood "manual" is 4 pages including a parts list, installation instructions, an expanded jack view and 1/2 page of trouble shooting items. Grinding in the gears isn't mentioned in the trouble shooting items.
The jack growling noise seems to be present through the whole range of travel of the jack both extend and retract.
We'll see what other Escape operators have to say in the forum.
Thanks again.
Jim Tischer
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Old 03-17-2016, 10:09 PM   #5
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Give the Atwood support a call and run it by them. Should be a number in the manual, on line, or ETI surely has it. I don't notice any noises out of the ordinary from ours.
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Old 03-18-2016, 05:31 AM   #6
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Does it grind when using the manual wrench? I know on the non electric models you can remove a cap easily and observe the gears as well as the dab of grease.
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Old 03-18-2016, 11:15 PM   #7
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Harley - Per call with Atwood Service today (Steve) he suggested greasing the lifting column with lithium grease at full extension and then retracting. Sometimes grit works its way into the column and causes grinding sounds. Unfortunately I tried this remedy with no success. I'll see if the jack cover is easily removed and can be lubricated.
A Question? - I'm not finding the backup jack handle in the kit that came with the trailer when picked up in Chilliwack. Is it typically stashed in some out of the way location in the trailer innards or someplace else? Thanks
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Old 03-18-2016, 11:29 PM   #8
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Manual jack attachment in mine was a brass itty-bitty thing (like 2 or 3 inches) - Reace told me it attaches to an electric drill. It was in one of my drawers.
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Old 03-19-2016, 11:07 PM   #9
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Thanks Anne
I got two of those little critters and wondered if I had overlooked the crank.
Apparently not.
Hopefully if the jack fails I am near an AC outlet and have my electric drill with me.
Hummmm...
Thanks Again
Jim Tischer
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Old 03-20-2016, 02:31 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jtischer View Post
Thanks Anne
I got two of those little critters and wondered if I had overlooked the crank.
Apparently not.
Hopefully if the jack fails I am near an AC outlet and have my electric drill with me.
Hummmm...
Thanks Again
Jim Tischer
I see a hand crank for Atwood electric jacks on-line but don't know your model number.

http://www.amazon.com/Atwood-87891-R.../dp/B007HRVQ8O

Or take a socket wrench and adapter .... Slow ... But would work?
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Old 03-20-2016, 02:56 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jtischer View Post
The Atwood "manual" is 4 pages including a parts list, installation instructions, an expanded jack view and 1/2 page of trouble shooting items.
This one: MPD 87083? I agree - it's not as helpful as one might hope. I note that it only mentions a manual handle (87891) - not an adapter for a drill.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Anne H View Post
Manual jack attachment in mine was a brass itty-bitty thing (like 2 or 3 inches) - Reace told me it attaches to an electric drill. It was in one of my drawers.
Like this: Atwood 85385 Acme Drill Bit Adapter RV?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Klem View Post
Or take a socket wrench and adapter .... Slow ... But would work?
Yes... or take a speeder handle, socket to fit the adapter, and Atwood's adapter - as fast as any hand crank, and the speeder handle is good for spinning wheel nuts and stabilizer jacks as well (with appropriate sockets and adapters).
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Old 03-20-2016, 03:55 PM   #12
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The Atwood electric jack on my 2014 19' made the same noise from new, I had Buyers Products jack on my Casita that was far better. I was always careful with the Atwood stopping it before it was fully retracted, etc.

Within the first 3 months it seized solid, when powered it would not move and would only make a ratcheting sound, not even the manual wrench would move it. I had to use a car jack to hook the trailer up. I removed the Atwood and installed a 3500 lb Buyer which is quieter, faster and more powerful. I have yet to attempt to receive a warrantee replacement at the local Atwood Service Center, although when or if they replace it I would just sell it.
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Old 03-20-2016, 08:18 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ian G View Post
The Atwood electric jack on my 2014 19' made the same noise from new, I had Buyers Products jack on my Casita that was far better. I was always careful with the Atwood stopping it before it was fully retracted, etc.

Within the first 3 months it seized solid, when powered it would not move and would only make a ratcheting sound, not even the manual wrench would move it. I had to use a car jack to hook the trailer up. I removed the Atwood and installed a 3500 lb Buyer which is quieter, faster and more powerful. I have yet to attempt to receive a warrantee replacement at the local Atwood Service Center, although when or if they replace it I would just sell it.
Is this the one that currently is used by ETI when you order it for your trailer? Oh joy!

BTW, your link in your web store is incorrect. Extra letter "h" added in the url.
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Old 03-20-2016, 08:24 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner View Post
Is this the one that currently is used by ETI when you order it for your trailer? Oh joy!

BTW, your link in your web store is incorrect. Extra letter "h" added in the url.
Not sure if they are currently using the same jack, also not sure if we just got a lemon.
Thanks for the url correction all fixed now
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