power tongue jack

peteanddarlene · 05-22-2018, 06:31 PM

coming up to finalizing our build sheet.....is it worth it to get a power tongue jack for 19'?

**rbryan4** · 05-22-2018, 06:53 PM

Depends on what "worth it" means Pete. I installed one and I don't miss hand cranking. Others don't mind.

gbaglo · 05-22-2018, 07:00 PM

I'd have one if it weren't so "fingernails on blackboard" noisy.

Bakes99 · 05-22-2018, 07:29 PM

Have had both. Love the powered. Will always have powered.

Was trying to sneak out of the park the other morning really early, I’m sure I woke the neighbours with it. Up to bring it above hitch ball/lower over the ball/back up to ensure latched properly and then lower again to drive away.

**rbryan4** · 05-22-2018, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bakes99

Have had both. Love the powered. Will always have powered.

Was trying to sneak out of the park the other morning really early, I’m sure I woke the neighbours with it. Up to bring it above hitch ball/lower over the ball/back up to ensure latched properly and then lower again to drive away.

I probably wouldn't miss the power jack if I didn't use an Andersen hitch. The power jack makes it so much easier with that, because you have to jack high to take the chain tension off so you can drop the triangle plate. When hooking up, the situation is reversed. That's a lot of hand cranking.

Greg A · 05-22-2018, 07:46 PM

Power tongue jack is my favorite option on the trailer every time I hitch or unhitch.

float5 · 05-22-2018, 08:42 PM

Love it. Wanted it the first day and finally have one. We ordered it though, not from Escape as wanted a Barker VIP. I think Escape sells something else.

Iowa Dave · 05-22-2018, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbryan4

I probably wouldn't miss the power jack if I didn't use an Andersen hitch. The power jack makes it so much easier with that, because you have to jack high to take the chain tension off so you can drop the triangle plate. When hooking up, the situation is reversed. That's a lot of hand cranking.

That’s the setup we have on the 21 too
And Robert is exactly right. I’ve still got the arm strength but the power jack makes things easy. It makes less noise than the 18 volt Dewalt drill on the stabilizers. And less noise than me when I’m just setting around. Course I been thrown out of places too. The jack comes with a crank backup if the battery was run down or something so you won’t get stranded but you might have to find a strong Iowa farm girl to help you and then sing you a song.
Iowa Dave

goalie39 · 05-22-2018, 11:32 PM

An electric jack will add 15-20lbs to your tongue weight, if that's significant for your tow vehicle.

**rbryan4** · 05-22-2018, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goalie39

An electric jack will add 15-20lbs to your tongue weight, if that's significant for your tow vehicle.

That depends. Mine is a heavier one, the Atwood 4000, at about 30 lbs. But the power jack Escape uses weighs about 15 lbs. That's probably no heavier than the stock crank jack. I remember it was quite heavy when I removed it.

I'm also thinking if a few lbs makes a difference to your tow vehicle, it's time to consider another one.

float5 · 05-23-2018, 12:08 AM

I saw the weight of a Barker 3500 similar to ours at 27.6 lbs. I just picked up the old crank and would guess at least half that. But no big deal to me. The power jack is worth every pound and there aren't that many.

Patandlinda · 05-23-2018, 12:40 AM

Added the Barker 3500 power jack after 4 years and love it . Just wanted to save a few bucks for awhile but now know what we were missing . Pat

TZBrown · 05-23-2018, 06:28 AM

We have enjoyed the power tongue jack on all of our past RV's

An option we added was the Fastway flip pad to it.
https://www.campingworld.com/fastway...RoCE9YQAvD_BwE

It saves time by automatically adding a 6 inch lift to the jack, lessens run time. They also have a 4 inch version.
The same thing as adding a stack of levelers under the jack but it is always there.

ksitte · 05-23-2018, 09:47 AM

My 2¢: thought it was a good idea because "we'll need it when were older." Well, just 2 months later, I guess where older. Some unrelated shoulder pain made the power jack essential for camping. Like the other responders with an Andersen, the power jack makes hitch up soo much easier. I haven't found ours noisy, and like Iowa Dave, it makes less noise than the drill we use for the stabilizers. I think it's the "pitch" of the whirring sound: the jack is just a bit deeper, less grating than the drill.

Yup, one of the better add-ons to this version of our Escape.

azjack · 05-23-2018, 09:57 AM

In the middle of a trip my shoulder started to bother me, I looked up Amazon and had a jack delivered to our next traveling stop in SFO. When we arrived, there it was in the office. Three bolts and some wiring and my shoulder was fine. We are having Escape put one on the 17.
Jack

Eggscape · 05-23-2018, 10:02 AM

Got a power jack for a little over $100 on sale at Princes Auto...easy to replace the old and hook up to power if your battery is up front. It has a 6 inch telescope extension that drops down and pins so your half way there...add a wood block and it is reasonably quick.

Dave Walter · 05-23-2018, 01:42 PM

I think that it is great that a power jack can make hitching and unhitching easier for some, and in particular, those who may have physical impairments that may otherwise make it difficult to operate the stock manual jack. For those without such an impairment, it really does not take much strength or effort to operate the manual jack that comes with your Escape. For myself, I do not even notice the effort required to manually raise or lower the jacks on my trailers, and I am a skinny old guy. So, if you are wondering whether or not the power jack option is a "required" option for every Escape sold, the answer is a definite "NO". However, in some cases and for some people, having the power jack may be useful.

Patandlinda · 05-23-2018, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Walter

I think that it is great that a power jack can make hitching and unhitching easier for some, and in particular, those who may have physical impairments that may otherwise make it difficult to operate the stock manual jack. For those without such an impairment, it really does not take much strength or effort to operate the manual jack that comes with your Escape. For myself, I do not even notice the effort required to manually raise or lower the jacks on my trailers, and I am a skinny old guy. So, if you are wondering whether or not the power jack option is a "required" option for every Escape sold, the answer is a definite "NO". However, in some cases and for some people, having the power jack may be useful.

Hi Dave so true and we did without the jack for about 4 years . Sometimes we don't know what life will bring though as I learned on last camping trip . I had just installed the electric jack before that trip . So I sure was glad of that jack which I never knew I would need . Especially on the 19 with batteries in the front such a easy install and nor expensive to buy . As you know I am not the brightest when it comes to electrical . If I can do it anyone can .
PS , have you had a chance to check out your solar yet ? Pat

Dave Walter · 05-23-2018, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Hi Dave...PS , have you had a chance to check out your solar yet ? Pat

Pat. The solar seems to be working well. We are getting lots of sunshine these days and the batteries always seem to be topped up. Will be another month or so before the trailer goes out for a 2 week trip without electrical services, so should know after that whether there are any issues.

Patandlinda · 05-23-2018, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Walter

Pat. The solar seems to be working well. We are getting lots of sunshine these days and the batteries always seem to be topped up. Will be another month or so before the trailer goes out for a 2 week trip without electrical services, so should know after that whether there are any issues.

Alright ! Can't wait for a update after ! Pat

You may also like: