Power tongue jack

MVA · 10-09-2021, 01:46 PM

One of the options that I potentially regret not ordering on our trailer is a power tongue jack. So, for the forum:

- Is your power tongue jack reliable?
- What brand/model do you have?
- Any concerns with installation? I have noted on the forum that some people have inverted the installation to allow a truck tailgate to drop while the trailer is still on the hitch ball. It is not clear to me what this means since the jack attachment appears to be a triangle and hence not invertible by 180 degrees. What am I missing?

thanks in advance

Centex · 10-09-2021, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MVA

... I have noted on the forum that some people have inverted the installation to allow a truck tailgate to drop while the trailer is still on the hitch ball. It is not clear to me what this means since the jack attachment appears to be a triangle and hence not invertible by 180 degrees. What am I missing?

Folks are not rotating the entire jack post / triangular mounting base, they are rotating only the 'head' with the motor relative to the jack post to provide a more advantageous clearance.

Depending on exact jack model that sometimes requires a simple modification (additional locating-screw hole being drilled).

FWIW the power jack on my Casita ran reliably for 16 years (I don't remember the brand or likely now obsolete model), I loved having it. I did clean and re-grease the internal screw and gears in that unit a few times over the years.

ETI told me they currently use Lippert 285318 power jacks, the same unit for all trailer tongues and even the two front jacks enclosed in my 5.0.

Hope that helps, Have Fun!

MVA · 10-09-2021, 02:18 PM

Alan - thanks again.

--Steve

MVA · 10-09-2021, 02:36 PM

I just reviewed the Lippert jack. For those that have had ETI install as an OEM option, I am assuming ETI used one of the two 30A fuse locations (position 10 or 11) on the power center or did EFI just use the an inline fuse and wire directly to the battery?

thanks

HABBERDABBER · 10-09-2021, 04:26 PM

I asked an old, established RV dealer owner what the best power jack brand was. He said they all have issues. Any electrical device exposed to the elements has potential for corrosion, weather damage, etc.

Search the forum. An alternative is a minor modification, using a 1/2" bolt with hex head, matching socket and a cordless drill. The drill is normally out of the weather and useful for other duties, does the same power jack task, & this mod costs about $2 tops. Some simple drilling (machining) of the bolt is required. I learned of this mod at the Mississippi Rendezvous a few weeks ago, returned the other day from that extended road trip & got my 1/2" bolt yesterday, and intend to do this mod soon. Kudos to Bill from Missouri for turning me on to this.
Search the forum. Others have detailed it, I believe. If you're a push button kind of fellow, buy the power jack. I agree, they can be useful. If you're a hacker, try the mod. It is completely & quickly reversible. I can't detail describe this mod, as I haven't accomplished it...yet. Others have described it in detail, here, or somewhere. It's a simple mod, I'm told, as it's been described to me.

Micheal K · 10-09-2021, 05:08 PM

+1 to the 1/2” bolt mod.
I did it on our trailer and found it works great. Same socket works for the jack and the stabilizers.

MVA · 10-09-2021, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HABBERDABBER

I asked an old, established RV dealer owner what the best power jack brand was. He said they all have issues. Any electrical device exposed to the elements has potential for corrosion, weather damage, etc.

Search the forum. An alternative is a minor modification, using a 1/2" bolt with hex head, matching socket and a cordless drill. The drill is normally out of the weather and useful for other duties, does the same power jack task, & this mod costs about $2 tops. Some simple drilling (machining) of the bolt is required. I learned of this mod at the Mississippi Rendezvous a few weeks ago, returned the other day from that extended road trip & got my 1/2" bolt yesterday, and intend to do this mod soon. Kudos to Bill from Missouri for turning me on to this.
Search the forum. Others have detailed it, I believe. If you're a push button kind of fellow, buy the power jack. I agree, they can be useful. If you're a hacker, try the mod. It is completely & quickly reversible. I can't detail describe this mod, as I haven't accomplished it...yet. Others have described it in detail, here, or somewhere. It's a simple mod, I'm told, as it's been described to me.

Thanks - I did find it.

--Steve

RangerMan · 10-10-2021, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MVA

I just reviewed the Lippert jack. For those that have had ETI install as an OEM option, I am assuming ETI used one of the two 30A fuse locations (position 10 or 11) on the power center or did EFI just use the an inline fuse and wire directly to the battery?

thanks

Mine has an inline fuse between the jack and the 7 pin junction box on the frame. I sometimes remove the fuse as an 'On/Off switch' for the jack.

MVA · 10-10-2021, 08:19 AM

thanks

rubicon327 · 10-10-2021, 08:31 AM

With the WDH we just installed a power tongue jack would be a welcome addition. I will be looking seriously at the Barker VIP
https://www.barkermfg.com/vip-3000.html

MVA · 10-10-2021, 09:20 AM

Agreed. Our WDH is great for towing, especially at high speeds in the west with strong crosswinds; of course, that means a lot of cranking up/down.

Thanks for the lead. I need to investigate the raise speed of the post for the different jack models. One review of the Lippert stated it was a bit slow, but did not quote any quantitative figures.

cpaharley2008 · 10-10-2021, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MVA

Agreed. Our WDH is great for towing, especially at high speeds in the west with strong crosswinds; of course, that means a lot of cranking up/down.

Thanks for the lead. I need to investigate the raise speed of the post for the different jack models. One review of the Lippert stated it was a bit slow, but did not quote any quantitative figures.

New campsite entertainment, jack speed races.......

Centex · 10-10-2021, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MVA

... One review of the Lippert stated it was a bit slow, but did not quote any quantitative figures.

Subjectively I think it a bit slow, too (I get impatient, a lot of extension is required even on a level site with my 5.0 with hi-lift kit).

9" blocks to reduce the extension / run-time are in the works.

oldwave · 10-10-2021, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubicon327

With the WDH we just installed a power tongue jack would be a welcome addition. I will be looking seriously at the Barker VIP
https://www.barkermfg.com/vip-3000.html

If and when mine fails, that’s the one I’ll buy

Dee08802 · 10-10-2021, 07:02 PM

We also installed the Barker two years ago and love it. Also like that its made in the USA.

HABBERDABBER · 10-11-2021, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MVA

Thanks - I did find it.

--Steve

I've looked some, and haven't found the tongue jack conversion postings.

Never mind....finally found it.

rubicon327 · 10-11-2021, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HABBERDABBER

Search the forum. An alternative is a minor modification, using a 1/2" bolt with hex head, matching socket and a cordless drill. The drill is normally out of the weather and useful for other duties, does the same power jack task, & this mod costs about $2 tops. Some simple drilling (machining) of the bolt is required.

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...ve-8623-2.html

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post272352

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post160618

MVA · 10-11-2021, 08:38 AM

There is also a nice instructables posting I found: https://www.instructables.com/Trailer-Jack-Hack/

Patandlinda · 10-11-2021, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubicon327

With the WDH we just installed a power tongue jack would be a welcome addition. I will be looking seriously at the Barker VIP
https://www.barkermfg.com/vip-3000.html

Barker is what I installed , 3 years now and happy ! Pat

Brian B-P · 10-11-2021, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Centex

Subjectively I think it a bit slow, too (I get impatient, a lot of extension is required even on a level site with my 5.0 with hi-lift kit).

9" blocks to reduce the extension / run-time are in the works.

That's why drop-leg jacks exist, and normal 5th wheel trailers have them (with a single motor or crank, dropping the legs different amounts is the only way to handle uneven ground); even tongue jacks are available with a drop leg.

The other option is a folding foot (such as the Fastway Flip), but there presumably isn't room for that on the 5.0.

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