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07-31-2016, 07:32 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Clinton, Tennessee
Posts: 399
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When Power Tongue Jack Fails
I own a 2014 Rockwood a122s. . just wondering.. if the camper battery is dead.. will the power tongue jack still work when the camper is attached to the tow vehicle. .. or to shore power?
And.. when (if) the jack fails... how do you raise and lower the camper?
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2014 Rockwood Premier A-122S
2013 FORD F-150 STX, Super Cab
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07-31-2016, 07:37 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 223
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The power jack is powered by 12v so it will work when connected to a tow vehicle or shore power if the battery is dead. There should be a rubber cover on it that you can remove to use the supplied wrench. I have had to replace the up/down switch and remove rust inside the electric motor after 5 years. I would suggest that everyone use a cover to help with water not getting into the electric jack.
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2011 2902ss Rockwood Ultralight
2008 Grand Cherokee 3.0L Diesel (255 hp @ 2900 rpm / 430 lb-ft @ 1,400-2,800 rpm)
3P ProPride Hitch
RV Mods
Wandering RV Life
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07-31-2016, 07:47 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Clinton, Tennessee
Posts: 399
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Thanks.. I put an upside down bucket over the jack.. and then cover with a tarp in the driveway at home. I bought the camper used.. so no supplied wrench. . I did buy a socket that fits.
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2014 Rockwood Premier A-122S
2013 FORD F-150 STX, Super Cab
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07-31-2016, 07:51 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 223
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I got this from Amazon. Its not water proof but I'm sure it will help. I also put duct tape over the manual override at the top.
Tongue Jack - Protective Cover
__________________
2011 2902ss Rockwood Ultralight
2008 Grand Cherokee 3.0L Diesel (255 hp @ 2900 rpm / 430 lb-ft @ 1,400-2,800 rpm)
3P ProPride Hitch
RV Mods
Wandering RV Life
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07-31-2016, 09:22 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Posts: 116
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Hmm.....this is something I had not yet considered. Have to admit that I've not even looked at the inter workings of the power tongue jack or considered what to do if it fails.
Sounds like what I'm hearing is that if all fails, it can be raised/lowered by hand with the correct socket. Guess I'll be looing into this in the next few days..........
I bought my camper new but there was no wrench/socket provided for the power tongue jack.
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Big Red Camper
"If you always do what you always did, you'll always get what you always got."
2014 Rockwood A128S
2015 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Crew Cab 4X4 Short Bed
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08-01-2016, 06:28 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Liberty, NC
Posts: 344
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You may want to find a instruction sheet on line for your jack. Most have a locking mechanism that must be released before it can be lowered. Caution, it is under pressure and when released the jack may come down violently.
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08-01-2016, 07:23 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Posts: 116
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Thanks for the added info Butch. Appreciate this very much!
terry
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Big Red Camper
"If you always do what you always did, you'll always get what you always got."
2014 Rockwood A128S
2015 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Crew Cab 4X4 Short Bed
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08-02-2016, 09:17 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Wheeling, IL
Posts: 261
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuck9997
And.. when (if) the jack fails... how do you raise and lower the camper?
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My Salem CruiseLite came with a hand crank for the jack - and I had to use it once in 95 degree weather. Not fun for a 60+ woman.
I've had some issues also with the jack blowing fuses. Seems that if you hit the stop several times, it tends to blow the fuse. The suggestion was to put a marker about 1/2" or so from being totally up and then only raising it up to that marker so it doesn't go all the way to the stop. So far it's worked.
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08-02-2016, 09:43 AM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,505
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I found that I can run my jack with a socket and battery drill or socket and ratchet. I did not have to release any brake as I believe mine is just stopped in place by motor friction.
The ratchet is a slow process but would get me hitched and home if needed.
Of course if the motor bearings lock up all bets are off. That's less likely than simply burned motor/blown fuse/bad motor switch.
Agree with others that you need extra protection from rain. These jacks
aren't water proof and the typical rocker switch is not either!
I made my own vinyl jack motor cover that I leave on all the time.
I can feel and push the rocker thru the cover so I don't' have to take it off.
As mentioned a bucket can make a decent jack cover for storage but what
do you use when driving in a monsoon rain?? Also wasps love to build nests under buckets! That's why I opted for a sewn vinyl cover with a secure draw string. You can buy them I'm sure but I made mine.
As a staunch believer in Murphy's Law I always try to have a back up plan for any electrical device be it stabilizing jacks or tongue jack or slide motor! I suggest everyone have a plan B for raising/lowering tongue jack and corner jacks.
Happy Trails!
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Peace!
Dan & Rita D
2017 Nissan Titan 5.6L King cab 4wd
2016 Evergreen Everlite 242RBS
29' empty nest model. Blue Ox WD hitch
(1 queen bed, large main cabin and huge bathroom)
Camping days 2010-53, 2011-47, 2012-41, 2013-41, 2014-31, 2015-40, 2016-44, 2017-63, 2018-75, 2019-32, 2020-41, 2021-49, 2022-43, 2023-66
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08-02-2016, 09:55 AM
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#11
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Georgia Rally Coordinator
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: GA
Posts: 24,297
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Yes keep it covered. I cover mine with the left over ladder cover that came with my camper cover I bought. Later RJD
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2020 Shasta Phoenix SPF 27RKSS (sold)
2018 Dodge Ram 2500 6.4 3:73 gearing. Traded 2015 Chevy 2500 6.0, 4:10
Traded 2015 30WRLIKS V-Lite
Days camped 2019 62
Days camped 2020 49 days camped 2021-74 2022-40 days 2023 5 days
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08-02-2016, 09:56 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 1,458
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I use the bucket when going down the road too... I have a small piece of webbing with a carabiner attached. it stays on the tongue and clip the bucket handle into it
I have 7500 miles since last year doing this and its worked out fine
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2015 Ram 2500 4x4 6.4l with 2015 Sandpiper 25RLS
Wife, myself and 2 furry kids
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08-02-2016, 09:57 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NE Florida
Posts: 289
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X2 on the wasps. Spray some bug killer in there for "extended" coverage. I do the tank cover too, just in case. And do not forget to keep the Adolph's meat tenderizer in the first aid kit. Wet sting and rub Adolph's into a paste. Stops pain in about ten seconds. Got to use it two weeks ago when nest was in the electrical hookup cover. Glad I thought to have it.
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2013 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
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08-02-2016, 10:13 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,223
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Used one of the covers that came with my Honda generators. Now, I'm waiting for some britespark to ask me where to get the tiny Honda unit.
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BIRDS AREN’T REAL
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08-02-2016, 10:20 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: N. Illinois
Posts: 2,371
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Most of the electric jacks establish ground between the jack's body and trailer tongue. Mine has star washers between the two, to prolong the inevitable loss of ground connection due to corrosion. If it isn't working, check and see if the light works, that'll tell you if you completely lost power
Barker also sells a cover for their jack that fits the LCI jack that my TT came with.
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2016 Flagstaff 27VRL Emerald
14K Equalizer
2020 Silverado 2500HD CC 4X4 6.6L gas 3.73
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08-03-2016, 06:02 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 276
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On the cheap side
1 gallon size freezer plastic bag and some plastic tape.
Fits perfect and allows access to the switch.
Also has air gaps at bottom for moisture evaporation.
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08-04-2016, 08:12 AM
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#17
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southwest Alabama
Posts: 9,850
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One note to the OP's question.
IF the camper battery is dead and you don't disconnect it, the TV power wiring may not be able to power the jack because it's supplying a lot of power trying to recharge the battery, so operating the jack while recharging a dead battery will probably blow a fuse in the TV.
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Salem 29RKSS Pushing a GMC Sierra 2500HD!
Gotta go campin!
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