Power Tongue Jacks

[rob.mwpropane]

I use one of these.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Jack/Trailer-Valet/TV94FR.html

The handle comes off and you can use a power drill to operate it. Works great and is easy to do fine adjustments.

Wow that's really nice. The best of both worlds really. Do you know if it can it raise the tail end to install a WDH?

I don't mind the manual jack, but I do mind the multiple up and down to install the WDH, especially when it's Sunday and it's hot and we just want to get out of there.

I guess I'll have to ask etrailer maybe?

How often do you grease the zirk?

 

[wusthof]

The one on my TT works great. It is fantastic to have when hooking up the WDH bars.

Does it actually lift the vehicle and the trailer no problem? I have chains, so I have to lift both the trailer AND the tv quite a bit sometimes? My battery operated one took a sh*t, so I want to simplify things but I need a jack that'll do the job. Tia

 

[wusthof]

Wow that's really nice. The best of both worlds really. Do you know if it can it raise the tail end to install a WDH?

I don't mind the manual jack, but I do mind the multiple up and down to install the WDH, especially when it's Sunday and it's hot and we just want to get out of there.

I guess I'll have to ask etrailer maybe?

How often do you grease the zirk?

I was thinking about the valet as well and have the same concerns you do. Please post back here if you ask etrailer. I have chains, so I have to lift both the TV and trailer quite a bit sometimes

 

[xxxapache]

Does it actually lift the vehicle and the trailer no problem? I have chains, so I have to lift both the trailer AND the tv quite a bit sometimes? My battery operated one took a sh*t, so I want to simplify things but I need a jack that'll do the job. Tia

My TT's tongue weight is 1k. One of my TV is a F350. My jack has no problem lifting them to put on my WDH spring bars.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

I was thinking about the valet as well and have the same concerns you do. Please post back here if you ask etrailer. I have chains, so I have to lift both the TV and trailer quite a bit sometimes

I asked on their site.. probably be at least Monday before they answer. I'll post back.

I really like the idea, looks pretty fast.

 

[gglplex]

I'm debating whether or not to get a power tongue jack. To all those with one, how are they at making minor adjustments to level the camper front to back?

Bottom line: if you do install a power jack, and want it to last past the typical 3-4 years, buy a cover for it!
Background: I bought my new hybrid camper (2013 Forest River 233S--this was post-popup)--it didn't have a power tongue jack, I wanted one, but didn't want to fork over the $$$. I got chummy with the dealer's service guy and he mentioned he had 2 inop power tongue jacks, each with different problems, and I could have them if I wanted them. I Frankensteined 1 good tongue jack together out of the scraps, but noticed there was NO weather protection on the jack itself--I thought that was odd since it's ALWAYS in the elements. So I invested in a cover similar to this one: https://www.campingworld.com/camco-electric-tongue-jack-head-cover-109642.html NEVER had a problem with the jack in the 7 years I had the camper.

 

[xxxapache]

My trailer has the original 1995 jack. Never have covered it. No saying one shouldn't be covered, just saying mine still works after almost 30 years in the weather.

 

[PopUpSteve]

I ordered the Lippert today. I'll see how that works for me.

 

[kitphantom]

We installed this one

Stromberg Carlson JET2500 Electric Jack​

in spring of last year (2022).
We do have a cover for it, because it is out in the sun, etc all year. The jack is great, so far. Good thing we don't depend on the built in level, it lost its liquid at some point, so no bubble. It was the bulls-eye style, we we find less useful than the t-style anyway.
We probably need to use the p-touch to make a new marker band - the "do not retract beyond this point". If it is retracted too far. we have to use the hand crank to put it to rights. Easy, but one more thing to do.

 

[Jkoht]

They work great when they work. Pro tip leave a bucket or similar upside down on it to shield it from rain or moisture when not in use. They say weatherproof housing but that's a load of b.s. I had one rust solid on me. The other piece of advice is that they are designed to plug into your vehicle 7 pin so they're great for getting your initial front to back leveling when you're in the process of unhooking, but once your vehicle is moved you don't have power to make any fine tune adjustments. I haven't done it yet but I'm thinking of wiring a 7 pin female receiver to the battery on my tongue, along with a battery cut off switch so that if need be I can plug in to that to make adjustments later.

 

[kitphantom]

They work great when they work.

Not sure what the difference is, but we can make adjustments with ours, once the vehicle is pulled away. We usually have to fine tune, once we've unhitched, for instance, dropping the nose quite a bit, depending on the slope of the site.

 

[Jkoht]

Yours might be hardwired to the battery. Most of them on the market right now want you to plug into your tow vehicle to provide the power for the motor. I could use the manual handle for minor adjustments but I get the sense that the handle is more of an emergency use thing. I tried the handle on the one that rusted and the nut sheared right off.

 

[kitphantom]

Yup, hardwired to the battery, which was what the instructions were. I'm not even sure I looked at one that used the umbilical cord. I used the same one as others with our TT had used.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

I was thinking about the valet as well and have the same concerns you do. Please post back here if you ask etrailer. I have chains, so I have to lift both the TV and trailer quite a bit sometimes

Well.. the best I got was "that should work".

I ordered one from tractor supply.. at least I can return it if it doesn't work as I need it to. Will report back.

 

[firepit]

Another Question...I put a battery cut off switch on mine.
should i still ground to the frame or can i tie right into the switch?

 

[Daniel Julicher]

Wow that's really nice. The best of both worlds really. Do you know if it can it raise the tail end to install a WDH?

I don't mind the manual jack, but I do mind the multiple up and down to install the WDH, especially when it's Sunday and it's hot and we just want to get out of there.

I guess I'll have to ask etrailer maybe?

How often do you grease the zirk?

Sorry I never answered. I don’t know anything about WDHs so I can’t help there, but it goes up and down fast so it should work. It can certainly tip the trailer forward. I use a 24v drill. I use the one with adapters to lower the landing legs and also to put up the top. I use a 4ah battery and it is good for at least a couple set up and take downs. But just in case I bring a spare battery pack. And of course all the manual handles. Would not ant to be stranded by a burned out drill.

I’ve never greased the fitting… probably should do that….

 

[PopUpSteve]

Opened up the Lippert box today. I plan on installing it on Friday before I take the camper out of the storage yard. The bolt is a 3/4 and I wanted to make sure the same socket I use for the stabilizers fits that, and it does.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Well I went ahead and bought one! Just picked it up yesterday, hope to get it installed today and see. I'll report back

 

[J Starsky]

My wife cranks up the TT just fine - thanks for asking. Everyone needs a job after all

It's just another 12v issue to have. @BikeNFish did have a wiring issue but that's all the bad I know of them. Simple switch replacement for him, IIRC. Switch at granger was 1/2 price of camping store??? Something like that.

 

[PopUpSteve]

OMG! Why did I wait so long to do this!
I took the day off yesterday so I could take my time getting ready and to the CG. I figured I would install the Lippert tongue jack at the storage yard but when I got there it was hot and with no shade, I decided to do it at the CG instead. Got to the CG, leveled side to side and then put the front stabilizers down, cranked up the tongue jack and got out the socket set. Less than 10 minutes later, I was done. And one of those minutes was spent looking for a washer I had dropped. This was one of the fastest mods I’ve ever done.

It kind of felt like this