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Old 07-17-2012, 11:06 PM   #1
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Tongue Jack Overextended?

Ok, so I just got home with my brand new Salem 26TBUD, this is my first trailer of any kind. Taking it off the hitch for the first time, I crank it up enough to unhook all the WD bars, chains, etc. Then go to crank it up higher to get it off the ball. It's not going high enough, so I foolishly kept cranking even though it was giving resistance. Then I heard a sort of 'pop' and the crank began turning rather freely, but not moving anything. So, it seems like I may have overextended it.. Any way to get this thing back engaged?

Yes I realized afterwards I was being a total newb and should have put a block under the jack to get the additional height I needed to get it off the ball.

After an event-free 3-hour ride home I just knew something had to go wrong.. hopefully it's nothing major.. thanks!
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Old 07-17-2012, 11:11 PM   #2
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IT should re-engage but you may have to use a floor jack to take the weight off it .
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Old 07-18-2012, 12:23 AM   #3
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Sounds odd that it would stop cranking before it cleared the ball. It should get that height easily. Is there a hole under the jack? If not, there should not be a need to add blocks to get the height to clear the ball. Otherwise, how did you get it connected in the first place? Sounds to me like it bound up and maybe broke something. If it wont re-engage with the screw, I smell a warranty call, and even then, I would still call the dealer and tell them that it happened. They might offer a new one just in case something is damaged inside.
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Old 07-18-2012, 12:36 AM   #4
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Is the trailer still connected or were you able to unhitch?
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Old 07-18-2012, 08:13 AM   #5
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Those screw type jacks are known for this. As you stated you exceeded the maximum height, then when you forced it you broke it. I am speaking from experience here. (LOL) There is a plate in the jack that moves up and down on the long threaded shaft. That small plate is tack welded to the hollow shaft that actually pushes the trailer up. When forced, the weld breaks.There is no way to fix this because you can't get them apart. Or at least I couldn't. My brother in law done exactly the same thing. I replaced the jack. Only about 60 bucks for the one I needed. To me this sounds like what happened anyway!
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Old 07-18-2012, 08:31 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by Rsgtivr6 View Post
Sounds odd that it would stop cranking before it cleared the ball. It should get that height easily. Is there a hole under the jack? If not, there should not be a need to add blocks to get the height to clear the ball. Otherwise, how did you get it connected in the first place? Sounds to me like it bound up and maybe broke something. If it wont re-engage with the screw, I smell a warranty call, and even then, I would still call the dealer and tell them that it happened. They might offer a new one just in case something is damaged inside.
Thanks Yeah I was kind of surprised it didn't go high enough too.. haha and no hole under the jack, just a small piece of 2x4. Yes I'm definitely calling today. I actually didn't connect it in the first place, the dealer did it for me before I left.
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Old 07-18-2012, 08:32 AM   #7
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Is the trailer still connected or were you able to unhitch?
I was able to unhitch.. I have a WD hitch so I pulled the pin on the box and drove off a foot to disengage, leaving the 50+lb ball hanging there which I quickly released.
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Old 07-18-2012, 08:34 AM   #8
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Check your local farm supply for a new one. Rv stores think there GOLD!
I bought one a few years ago @ farm and fleet (bull dog) brand for $29.00
Worked great.
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Old 07-18-2012, 08:36 AM   #9
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Those screw type jacks are known for this. As you stated you exceeded the maximum height, then when you forced it you broke it. I am speaking from experience here. (LOL) There is a plate in the jack that moves up and down on the long threaded shaft. That small plate is tack welded to the hollow shaft that actually pushes the trailer up. When forced, the weld breaks.There is no way to fix this because you can't get them apart. Or at least I couldn't. My brother in law done exactly the same thing. I replaced the jack. Only about 60 bucks for the one I needed. To me this sounds like what happened anyway!
Thanks I'll see what the dealer service guys say.. BTW I'm thinking the reason the jack couldn't extend high enough is because while my trailer was sitting on my level driveway, my truck was on a slant in the front part of my driveway. There's maybe a 6" grade drop there, making the rear end sit higher... who knows
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Old 07-18-2012, 08:37 AM   #10
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Don't know where you live but I bought a 5,000 pound Bulldog manual crank jack at Northern Tool for $29. It works great. Bolts right in. Good luck.
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Old 07-18-2012, 08:40 AM   #11
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Check your local farm supply for a new one. Rv stores think there GOLD!
I bought one a few years ago @ farm and fleet (bull dog) brand for $29.00
Worked great.
haha cool.. yeah I have a Blain's Farm & Fleet near me and also seen them at Harbor Freight for cheap. If the dealer says I'm on my own for this how do I know what weight I need, does that go by the hitch weight? So, Dry the hitch is 815lbs.. So I'm guessing a 2000lb capacity one would be good?
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Old 07-18-2012, 08:56 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by nullvalue

haha cool.. yeah I have a Blain's Farm & Fleet near me and also seen them at Harbor Freight for cheap. If the dealer says I'm on my own for this how do I know what weight I need, does that go by the hitch weight? So, Dry the hitch is 815lbs.. So I'm guessing a 2000lb capacity one would be good?
Plenty fine!
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Old 07-18-2012, 10:21 AM   #13
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Three bolts, easy to replace and I reccomend a local trailer depot or a tractor supply. For about $250.00 you could upgrade to an electric jack!
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Old 07-18-2012, 10:30 AM   #14
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Three bolts, easy to replace and I reccomend a local trailer depot or a tractor supply. For about $250.00 you could upgrade to an electric jack!
Haha if only the little remote control which does the power slide, power awning and power stabilizer jacks could do that too.. god we've become so lazy.
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Old 07-18-2012, 11:09 AM   #15
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I would go with a 5,000 pound tongue jack. More leverage, better gears, easier to turn, etc. . . .
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Old 07-18-2012, 11:58 AM   #16
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Well talked to the dealer and they agreed to send me a new one, will be here in a couple days. Shouldn't be too difficult to swap it out..
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Old 07-20-2012, 01:08 PM   #17
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Got the new jack & just installed it in under 15 mins, was a piece of cake. My first DIY TT repair... hopefully I won't have too many more.
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Old 07-20-2012, 02:24 PM   #18
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Thanks I'll see what the dealer service guys say.. BTW I'm thinking the reason the jack couldn't extend high enough is because while my trailer was sitting on my level driveway, my truck was on a slant in the front part of my driveway. There's maybe a 6" grade drop there, making the rear end sit higher... who knows
You are probably right about the cause,I have had the same thing happen to me before,so now I always put a block of 6x6 under the jack to give it more lift.No more issues.
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Old 07-20-2012, 02:59 PM   #19
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Got the new jack & just installed it in under 15 mins, was a piece of cake. My first DIY TT repair... hopefully I won't have too many more.
Good job on your first DIY TT repair. When you think of the learning curve in RVing I bet you didn't have this in mind.
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Old 07-20-2012, 03:09 PM   #20
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Thanks I'll see what the dealer service guys say.. BTW I'm thinking the reason the jack couldn't extend high enough is because while my trailer was sitting on my level driveway, my truck was on a slant in the front part of my driveway. There's maybe a 6" grade drop there, making the rear end sit higher... who knows
Was it just a case of the ball stuck in the coupler that was causing it to not come free?
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