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06-20-2015, 04:45 PM
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#1
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Atwood Premier 4000 Power Jack Installation
Got around to installing a power jack today. Found it online for $169 - an Atwood Premier 4000 with the 'Robofoot' that automatically flips up and down to save time.
For those who aren't handy, installing a power jack is a very simple install and takes less than 30 minutes.
First, remove the old jack by removing the foot and the 3 bolts that hold it in place.
Then, drop the new jack in the hole, and secure it with the original bolts, but use star washers under the bolts. They cut into the paint and give the unit a proper ground.
Zip tie the power wire along the A frame rail, routing it toward the battery. In a 19 it's easy since the batteries are in the storage box.
I then drilled a tiny hole in the tongue box, just wide enough to run the 10 gauge power wire through it. It's a tight fit, so no water gets in through the hole.
Crimp a ring terminal on to the end of the power wire and connect it to the positive battery terminal. You're done.
If the power wire supplied by the jack manufacturer is too short, just crimp an extension of 10 gauge wire on the end. If the manufacturer didn't supply an inline fuse for the power wire, it's a good idea to add one. In the case of the Atwood 4000, an inline fuse was provided, and on the 19 the power wire was just long enough without an extension.
I also picked up a custom cover from RV Tailors (they're here in South Texas) made of Sunbrella Fabric to protect the cover from UV.
All in all a quick and simple addition, and alot better than manual cranking - particularly if you have an Andersen Hitch.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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06-20-2015, 04:49 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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With the RV Tailors Cover.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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06-20-2015, 05:05 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Janesville, WI, Wisconsin
Trailer: Escape 19 (sold) Escape 21 2014
Posts: 1,889
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Very nice, a good description of what is required. I have toyed with the idea but on the 21 the batteries are way back, getting electricity, in the proper gauge wire, to the jack has held me up so far.
__________________
Paul and Janet Braun
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 now 2012 Toyota Sequoia V8
Escape 19' 2010 now 2014 Escape 21'
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06-20-2015, 05:31 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fudge_brownie
Very nice, a good description of what is required. I have toyed with the idea but on the 21 the batteries are way back, getting electricity, in the proper gauge wire, to the jack has held me up so far.
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Yeah, that does make it tougher Paul. For those who are getting a new 21, it's much easier to just have ETI install a power jack if you think you might want one someday. In my case I held off precisely because the install on the 19 was so easy.
I would imagine on the 21 you could run a wire up the back corner behind the trim piece, into the overhead cabinetry - cabinet to cabinet all the way to the front, down behind the corner piece again then out through the front exiting somewhere behind the storage box, then along the frame to the jack? That's sure alot of drilling and routing.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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06-20-2015, 05:41 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,215
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Went to go check and the wire is in it's own small diameter conduit which enters the floor with two others. Would definitely have it pre-wired at least if I were building a 21. Wonder how AZJack got power for his retrofit.
Also- like this jack foot ETI put on ours: Amazon has it for $22. It provides a good size platform.
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06-20-2015, 05:55 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,073
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Great job Robert. I bet you're really going to like that jack when camping in the heat! Those manual jacks, well... what a way to get exercise and work up a sweat.
So, someone tell me if this wouldn't work and why it would be the wrong thing to do.
For those with a 21' that want an electric jack, couldn't you just tap into the battery line in the umbilical? It would be a really, really short run. It's not like you'd be charging the batteries from the tug at the same time you're running the jack up and down. I know nothing about electricity... obviously.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
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06-20-2015, 05:55 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Seventy Degrees"
Posts: 3,495
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Nice job!
You will really enjoy the power jack. I even put one on my first 13 Scamp and have been hooked ever since.
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06-20-2015, 05:59 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D.
Great job Robert. I bet you're really going to like that jack when camping in the heat! Those manual jacks, well... what a way to get exercise and work up a sweat.
So, someone tell me if this wouldn't work and why it would be the wrong thing to do.
For those with a 21' that want an electric jack, couldn't you just tap into the battery line in the umbilical? It would be a really, really short run. It's not like you'd be charging the batteries from the tug at the same time you're running the jack up and down. I know nothing about electricity... obviously.
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An easier solution is to get a power jack that plugs into the 7 pin plug on the tow vehicle, rather than a hard wired one. They put them on flat bed and cargo trailers that don't have a power source. Of course, you have to have the tow vehicle close to the jack, but then there's no wiring at all. Here's an example:
Amazon.com: Jack Quick (JQ-3500B-7P) 12V Electric Tongue Jack with Black Cover and 7-Way Plug - 3650 lb. Load Capacity: Automotive
But, you can tap into the umbilical's power wire as well. You just have to make sure that the ground wire is connected to the trailer frame.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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06-20-2015, 08:58 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,215
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D.
Great job Robert. I bet you're really going to like that jack when camping in the heat! Those manual jacks, well... what a way to get exercise and work up a sweat.
So, someone tell me if this wouldn't work and why it would be the wrong thing to do.
For those with a 21' that want an electric jack, couldn't you just tap into the battery line in the umbilical? It would be a really, really short run. It's not like you'd be charging the batteries from the tug at the same time you're running the jack up and down. I know nothing about electricity... obviously.
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The batteries in a 21 are under the rear passenger side dinette seat, which is at the very rear of the trailer. Would like to hear from Jack as to how he tapped into power.
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06-20-2015, 09:25 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Longview, WA, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 15B - 2014 Nissan Frontier SL
Posts: 854
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Found it online for $169 -
Where did you find it for $169? Best I've found is $249. Thanks.
__________________
Tim and Julie
2013 Escape 15B
2014 Nissan Frontier, Previous 2012 Santa Fe
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06-20-2015, 10:03 PM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by techfan
Found it online for $169 -
Where did you find it for $169? Best I've found is $249. Thanks.
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It was on Ebay. $39 shipping, but still cheaper than the big e-retailers. But, right now it's $212 on Amazon, so that's about the same net price considering the free shipping:
http://www.amazon.com/Atwood-81070-W.../dp/B00K8DDAA6
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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06-20-2015, 10:32 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Longview, WA, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 15B - 2014 Nissan Frontier SL
Posts: 854
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4
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Thanks. Don't think I need the 4000 so the 3000 is $170. Etrailer has price match so think I will order from them as they have been great on all previous orders and have free shipping over $99.
__________________
Tim and Julie
2013 Escape 15B
2014 Nissan Frontier, Previous 2012 Santa Fe
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06-20-2015, 10:40 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Tucson, AZ, Arizona
Trailer: gone, 19 and 21 & 17B with 5.0 now. gone
Posts: 790
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electric tongue jack
I was on the coast when my shoulder suggested I buy an electric jack. I had Amazon o'nite one to Candle Stick RV park. I installed it the next day after we arrived at the park, but until I got home I just stuck the wire into the 7 pin plug that goes to the trailer battery and held it there while operating the switch. When I got home I put the circuit breaker on the plate between the gas bottles and tied the hot wire into the harness just below the bottles. Works great and my shoulder loves it.
Jack
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06-20-2015, 10:56 PM
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#14
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by azjack
I was on the coast when my shoulder suggested I buy an electric jack. I had Amazon o'nite one to Candle Stick RV park. I installed it the next day after we arrived at the park, but until I got home I just stuck the wire into the 7 pin plug that goes to the trailer battery and held it there while operating the switch. When I got home I put the circuit breaker on the plate between the gas bottles and tied the hot wire into the harness just below the bottles. Works great and my shoulder loves it.
Jack
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Well there you go. A road ahead for 21 owners.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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06-20-2015, 11:40 PM
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#15
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by techfan
Thanks. Don't think I need the 4000 so the 3000 is $170. Etrailer has price match so think I will order from them as they have been great on all previous orders and have free shipping over $99.
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We got the 4000 because it's apparently slightly quieter than the 3000, and it uses a 2 1/4" downtube instead of a 2". You're right about the capacity though - don't need 4K of lifting power.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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06-21-2015, 09:31 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Janesville, WI, Wisconsin
Trailer: Escape 19 (sold) Escape 21 2014
Posts: 1,889
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So for those of us with a 21 or 17 and the batteries on the rear there appears to be three choices for a post delivery installation of an electric jack. - Run wires from the battery
- Connect to the Bargman connector on the tow vehicle
- Connect to the Bargman connector on the trailer
I have purchased these connectors in the past from my local auto store for use on an earlier portable solar panel. They are easy to work with, took a bit of figuring as to what pin was for what but made an easy process of connecting solar.
Since you may not always have the tow vehicle adjacent to the trailer for a connection it seems using the connector on the trailer would be easiest. This would allow you to use the connector (similar to what is on your tow), an advantage is this connector has the door seal, it is designed to get exposed to all sorts of elements and could be mounted somewhere on the tongue. Depending on location and cord length it could also be a place to store the power cord when the trailer is parked.
__________________
Paul and Janet Braun
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 now 2012 Toyota Sequoia V8
Escape 19' 2010 now 2014 Escape 21'
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11-02-2015, 09:26 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Little Rock, Arkansas
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19' and 2016 GMC Yukon SLT SUV.
Posts: 501
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I am thinking of changing out my Atwood Premier 4000 Power Jack. It fitted very weill next to the storage box and propane cover, but it is too tall. It prevents my SUV rear door from opening and causes a liitle incomvenience when the trailer is hooked up to TV. I would appreciate any suggestions that forum members can offer a good fit tongue jack. I have researched the internet and found a Barker model 30828, but don't not it will fit next to the propane cover and not too high above the propane cover, so the rear car door can be opened. Thanks.
Tonny LR
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02-14-2016, 10:51 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: no fixed address, California
Trailer: 2017-21' Escape (sold) Casita 17' (sold)
Posts: 1,348
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tonny LR
I am thinking of changing out my Atwood Premier 4000 Power Jack. It fitted very weill next to the storage box and propane cover, but it is too tall. It prevents my SUV rear door from opening and causes a liitle incomvenience when the trailer is hooked up to TV. I would appreciate any suggestions that forum members can offer a good fit tongue jack. I have researched the internet and found a Barker model 30828, but don't not it will fit next to the propane cover and not too high above the propane cover, so the rear car door can be opened. Thanks.
Tonny LR
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Oh that would be a drag... To have the power jack block our SUV tug rear hatch.
May I ask what SUV you have, and did you find a solution?
And.... Perhaps we could have our pending Escape 21' pre-wired for it, but decide when we are there at pick up?
Yes we will keep our current tug many more years. :-)
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02-15-2016, 04:22 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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I use the Jack E Up which allows removal of the jack and my tailgate to open. with a power jack just install a quick connect. Jack-E-Up
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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02-15-2016, 08:06 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Janesville, WI, Wisconsin
Trailer: Escape 19 (sold) Escape 21 2014
Posts: 1,889
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It took me a bit to figure out that the Jack E Up is not an electric jack, rather a manual jack that you can remove. A nice concept but it still requires manual cranking.
__________________
Paul and Janet Braun
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 now 2012 Toyota Sequoia V8
Escape 19' 2010 now 2014 Escape 21'
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