Power tongue jacks

little joe · 07-17-2011, 08:52 AM

I have a 2004 SV 291 surveyor. I am thinking of adding a power tongue jack. How do you size these jacks, and do the wire straight to the battery? Are they easy to install?

kbrown1075 · 07-17-2011, 09:12 AM

When I bought our power tongue jack, I don't remeber a sizing process. Yes, they do wire straight to the battery, make sure there is an appropriate sized fuse in line. They are very easy to install. 3 bolts, wire to the battery, and your cranking days are over!

08flagvlite · 07-17-2011, 09:16 AM

Basically they are all the same size, and Yes, they are very easy to install- 3 bolts on mine- should fit in the same existing holes as the manual jack. Wiring is simply a power wire with an inline fuse straight to a 12v source, and grounding is provided through the body of the jack to the frame. You can get them new on e bay, much cheaper. Several brands available, but most are made by Lippert. Good luck, Randy

acadianbob · 07-17-2011, 09:53 AM

OK, I'm going to post what is undoubtedly a minority opinion here. Get a new manual jack with 5,000 pound capacity; like a Bulldog. They are easy to crank and much faster than an electric jack. I bought one for $30 at Northern Tool. No hookups, no battery worries. I have a buddy with an electric jack and I was surprised how excruciatingly SLOW it is. That would drive me crazy.

LadyWindrider · 07-17-2011, 03:25 PM

Well, after having too much effort cranking mine, I bit the bullet. Contrary to a post above, they are not all the same size. There is a 2 inch tube, and a 2 1/4 inch tube. They may have the same bolt pattern, and a smaller one may go in a larger hole, but I would measure. Also not sure about who makes most of them, you'll have to do your own research.

You need to know your tongue weight, and get at least 3 times that power in a jack. Also they don't all wire to the battery. Some have a 7 pin plug that must be plugged in to the tow vehicle, and will only work when plugged in to the tow vehicle. Handy when the trailer battery is dead, but useless when the tow vehicle is at the grocery store. Most have a manual crank override, but your propane tanks may be in the way. Now with all that said, shop carefully, it isn't plug and play, one size doesn't fit all, and you get what you pay for.

**bikendan** · 07-17-2011, 03:52 PM

many buy re-manufactured units on Ebay.
i bought my UF 3500 for about $120 with free shipping and it's been working great for over 3 years.

easy to install, took me about 45 minutes. i highly recommend one with an adjustable foot.

**Terier** · 07-17-2011, 06:00 PM

Not all electric tongue jacks are created equal. I had so much trouble with the original one that my dealer installed that they replaced & upgraded mine when I brought the tt in for service. No trouble with the replacement jack at all.

aujmr1970 · 07-17-2011, 07:27 PM

Bought a Barker VIP 3500 off ebay for $185 for my Surveyor SV264 and love it. It was easy to install and wired directly to the battery. Makes hooking up much easier. If you buy one you want regret it.

leencharlotte · 07-17-2011, 07:54 PM

I just got the barker VIP 3500 from adventure rv for $189 wow what a huge return on investment!!! http://www.adventurerv.net/barker-vi...lb-p-4360.html
FYI. I chose barker due to the numerous good reviews I have seen on the web. I was looking to get re Barker ultra and called barker directly to see what their direct price was and surprisingly I was told 2 things: 1) buy the VIP, soy follow up was ok you are telling me to get the cheaper one must be an issue with the ultras and she confirmed that they are having some issues. 2) buy elsewhere it is cheaper, which I had already assumed. Anyway she did also tell me if you purchase from adventures RV ask them to verify all pieces were there as sometimes pieces missing from that retailer ( Barker does replace missing parts). I did not have issues with any missing parts.

I was really glad this manufacturer was honest. She could have sold me the more expensive item and not gave a rats *****. But they were honest and it put a lot of trust in them for me

Installation was a breeze ( almost to easy). It did require a clean connection to the frame for grounding ( no paint) other than that 1 wire to then positive battery terminal, tighten three bolts and done!

g0tr00t · 07-18-2011, 08:13 AM

Are most of them the 30AMP Staple type fuse? If so, can someone link a SLO-BLO fuse?

I can't seem to find one in my searches.

leencharlotte · 07-18-2011, 09:57 AM

Mine uses a 30a inline glass tube fuse. Nit sure in slow blow. I have used the hitch on 2 trips and had to move the trailer twice since installation. No fuse issues yet, but did have some issues when my battery was dead as it would stop and go with the truck connected to power it

Hybrid21SS · 07-18-2011, 11:29 AM

I been wanting one for both the TT and my Cargo/ATV/snowmobile trailer but they are pricey and seem to have a limited lifespan. I guess when I am old and arthritic I will consider them

**bikendan** · 07-19-2011, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hybrid21SS

I been wanting one for both the TT and my Cargo/ATV/snowmobile trailer but they are pricey and seem to have a limited lifespan. I guess when I am old and arthritic I will consider them

not sure what you consider expensive. re-manufactured jacks are as low as $80 on Ebay.
i bought mine there and it's been flawless for over 3 years.

Hybrid21SS · 07-19-2011, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

not sure what you consider expensive. re-manufactured jacks are as low as $80 on Ebay.
i bought mine there and it's been flawless for over 3 years.

$80 is great but I'm afraid I don't share your good luck with electronics. The water pump in our new TT is already losing pressure. I guess I don't see turning the crank as such a big chore that its worth replacing just yet..I need to get exercise wherever I can find it

VAlover · 07-19-2011, 12:38 PM

x3 for the Barker 3500 VIP (2 1/4"). We did a lot of research on-line for jacks before purchasing from ebay, Mantelli Trailer Sales, about $185. Our TT is the Surveyor 263. Can't say enough good things about it; it has made the whole process much easier and faster. The install was very quick and easy - good directions.

Paul Darold · 09-26-2011, 12:32 AM

I know, one should know how far to extend/retract a power jack. But raining, in a hurry etc, mine is now stuck in the extended position and will not retract.(No Viagra involved) Had to use a sissors jack and blocks to finish hooking up. Any suggestions as to how to fix this. After I got home, I took the top/power head off of the jack hoping to find a way to turn the gears manually. But no luck.

**bikendan** · 09-26-2011, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Darold

I know, one should know how far to extend/retract a power jack. But raining, in a hurry etc, mine is now stuck in the extended position and will not retract.(No Viagra involved) Had to use a sissors jack and blocks to finish hooking up. Any suggestions as to how to fix this. After I got home, I took the top/power head off of the jack hoping to find a way to turn the gears manually. But no luck.

my UF 3500 came with a crank and i simply take the top rubber plug out and insert the crank, to manually retract or extend the jack.
you don't state which brand/model of jack you have so it's hard to help you.

Paul Darold · 09-26-2011, 06:10 AM

Thanks, but trying the manual jack was the first thing I tried. Sorry I didn't mention the name of the jack but it is in my shop. Will respond again later. The motor and light are working fine.

BigDTx · 09-26-2011, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by windrider

Well, after having too much effort cranking mine, I bit the bullet. Contrary to a post above, they are not all the same size. There is a 2 inch tube, and a 2 1/4 inch tube. They may have the same bolt pattern, and a smaller one may go in a larger hole, but I would measure. Also not sure about who makes most of them, you'll have to do your own research.

You need to know your tongue weight, and get at least 3 times that power in a jack. Also they don't all wire to the battery. Some have a 7 pin plug that must be plugged in to the tow vehicle, and will only work when plugged in to the tow vehicle. Handy when the trailer battery is dead, but useless when the tow vehicle is at the grocery store. Most have a manual crank override, but your propane tanks may be in the way. Now with all that said, shop carefully, it isn't plug and play, one size doesn't fit all, and you get what you pay for.

They are also rated for differenct capacity. some are 3Klb 3.5Klb, 4Klb. I had one installed at teh RV shop they charged me $45.00 to install it (1/2 hour labor) and they installed a curcuit breaker in the pos lead from teh battery.

rbarrieau · 09-26-2011, 08:22 AM

first trip with my Barker VIP 3000 = love it 700 pound tongue weight up and down no problems... 20 minute install --$165 adventure RV plus $25 shipping. My teen daughter loves helping set-up alot more with the push button jack. Get the white one, I have heard the Black one fades.

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