Dead Electric Tongue Jack

[Ricochet]

Our new Work and Play 30WRS came equipped with a Ram 3500 electric jack. I raised the front of the trailer, while hitched to the TV, to minimize the angle of the door ramp for clearance while unloading the trike from the rear. I fully extended the jack. After unloading, I tried to lower the tongue, but the jack motor would not engage. I checked all the connections, the fuse panel, and the reset button, and all appeared OK. I ended up lowering the jack manually. Is this jack toast, or can it be repaired?

[KyDan]

I have no experience with this jack but if I were you-- I'd get a meter or test light
and make sure there is power going to the jack. Test as close to the jack as possible.
In other words find the wire that feeds the jack out on the tongue area and make
sure it has 12v actually getting to the jack.

I'm guessing you blew a fuse somewhere when you hit the stop at full up.

[caper]

My jack has a inline fuse could this be the problem?

[fonzie]

Usually there is an in-line fuse as per picture.....black fuse holder in red wire.

[KenHwy61]

I had my fuse blow twice for no apparent reason. Some had suggested water was getting inside the motor. I ordered a vinyl jack cover and a resettable 12v 40 amp circuit breaker from amazon.

[russellsawatsky 56]

Probably the in line fuse have had to replace ours a couple of times .It was hard to find the first time. Our jack broke last trip last summer, we have to rebuild or replace it this spring main drive gear on motor

[Ricochet]

Thank you all for your responses. I traced the wiring back and found a circuit breaker, which had been tripped. Reset, and problem solved!

[BooBoo23]

Don't extend or retract the jack to the limits as that may overload the motor and cause a fuse or circuit breaker to trip. There are no limit switches on nearly all the tongue jacks.

[Rivnut]

It was explained to me that when the jack reaches it limits, it makes a chatter, then blows the circuit breaker. So It was suggested to buy an in line RESETABLE circuit breaker, mount near the jack. cost a dollar or two. Tired of replacing fuses

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by Ricochet

Thank you all for your responses. I traced the wiring back and found a circuit breaker, which had been tripped. Reset, and problem solved!

Thanks for replying with the answer to your problem!
Some electric motors blow fuses when they hit their hard-stop point. I had the condition with the front jacks on my 5th wheel until people here told me to get an automatic resetting breaker to stick in the fuse holder. Have had no problems since.

See this:

Originally Posted by fonzie

When the motor stalls, the current goes way up and will burn the fuse......called "LRA"

What is locked rotor current

[Ford Idaho]

Something like this under the jack will keep you from over extending.

[Eaglelover]

The jack shown in the previous photo is imported by LCI and in the drive train there is a small gear about 1 inch in diameter. The gear is cast and broke in half when I was hooking up. There is NO replacement available. The jack is imported by LCI and the only parts available are lights and switches. After several calls to LCI, I finally got the service manager and he said as a help for good customer relations he would send me a complete jack at no charge and he DID. Waa Hoo for LCI. Frank

[Ricochet]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

Something like this under the jack will keep you from over extending.

It was my own foolishness which caused the overextension of the jack. I was trying to get a better angle on the door to unload our trike.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by Ricochet

It was my own foolishness which caused the overextension of the jack. I was trying to get a better angle on the door to unload our trike.

I understand completely....

Blocking under the jack for a higher lift and/or a board or two under the end of the tailgate.....

[youroo]

Originally Posted by Ricochet

It was my own foolishness which caused the overextension of the jack. I was trying to get a better angle on the door to unload our trike.

I know exactly what you are trying to do in relationship to the (Ramp Angle)! My BIL has a Harley Trike and the Ex pipes (Large) under the Trike , (Rub) unless he (Jacks up) the front of his (F/R All American Toy Hauler)! Youroo!!

[Ricochet]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

I understand completely....

Blocking under the jack for a higher lift and/or a board or two under the end of the tailgate.....

...that and a good dose of knowing "how high is high enough"

[DKRITTER]

You might think of changing the angle of the ramp itself. You can get light weight ramps that you can add and lessen the ramp angle. Kinda spendy.

[Ricochet]

Originally Posted by DKRITTER

You might think of changing the angle of the ramp itself. You can get light weight ramps that you can add and lessen the ramp angle. Kinda spendy.

I think that's the right idea! I was thinking of getting 3 2"x8" and laying them out as ramps. Same basic principle, but less $$$!

[comfun1]

To prevent this problem this is what I do with the last two campers I have had. I run the jack out all the way and stop at the first chatter or sound. Then back off slightly and paint a red stripe on it. Then do the same thing for the retraction. After that it is easy to extend and retract without hitting the limit. Hope this makes sense.

[Ricochet]

Originally Posted by comfun1

To prevent this problem this is what I do with the last two campers I have had. I run the jack out all the way and stop at the first chatter or sound. Then back off slightly and paint a red stripe on it. Then do the same thing for the retraction. After that it is easy to extend and retract without hitting the limit. Hope this makes sense.

That's a great idea! Thank you!