Tongue jack question

perryc · 12-24-2013, 09:35 AM

Hey guys. Im a newbie to campers. We have purchased a 2014 rockwood roo 21ss and have been going through the process of learning all about it. Been setting it up in the drive and backyard. This is going to beat the heck out of tents and tarps!

We have a manual tongue jack. I'm really beginning to see the merit in a powered tongue jack but I'm hesitant to spend the money right now. Mainly because we haven't been camping yet and am not sure how our priorities will work themselves out. You know, like a second battery, generator, etc. I'm currently using a heavy duty battery powered drill to lower the stabilizers and was wondering if anyone has done a mod to do the same with the tongue jack. Keep in mind that our trailer has a tongue wt. of between 500 and 600 lbs. I know that the handle will have to be cut and a nut or male adapter welded in place so the drill can be attached as well having something available for a "manual" override. I've been reading through this forum for a month or so now and I know some of you have already thought of this. Very inventive group of people! What do ya think?

GlenZ · 12-24-2013, 09:51 AM

You could use a drill as long as it's a good strong one but I would save up and go with an electric tongue jack. Very easy to install and very worth it.

Welcome to the forum.

pjones1969 · 12-24-2013, 09:54 AM

Haven't seen that mod, my thought is that there is a lot of weight to lift at the tongue and once the drill gets in a bind it will not lift that much weight, stabilizers are meant to be deployed after the trailer is leveled, to "stabilize" not to lift the trailer, I used a cordless on my stabilizers and it works great but the electric tongue jack was probably the first thing I did after cranking up and down hitching and unhitching a few times when I had my TT, it made life a lot easier and worth every cent IMO

Santa Claus my bring you one.......

mjones12 · 12-24-2013, 10:06 AM

The electric tongue jack is also a tremendous help if you're using an Equalizer hitch. The motor went out in a tongue jack I had a few years ago, and hand-cranking the trailer up high enough to get the bars on or off was a REAL chore. After water/sewer hoses and chocks, I think an electric jack would be my next purchase.

Ford Idaho · 12-24-2013, 10:08 AM

I would not try using a drill, a half inch might but a 3/8 would a bit small I think.

I just bought one of these to change flat tires when I get one.
It would do well in moving your jack up and down.

Shop Kobalt 8-Amp 1/2-in Corded Impact Wrench at Lowes.com=

Prothos · 12-24-2013, 12:29 PM

the electric is nice till it goes out and you cant locate the handle to manually lift the tt. just happened to me on my 2014 model. i was luck i was dropping it of at the dealership for some warranty work

**bikendan** · 12-24-2013, 12:52 PM

it would be way simpler to just install an electric tongue jack.
you can get remanufactured ones on Ebay for under $100.

i got my Ultra Fab adjustable foot 3500 jack, on Ebay, for about $100, 5 years ago and it's still working great.
easy install, takes about 30 minutes.

Dvigna · 12-26-2013, 11:52 PM

Spend the money to get a power jack. I got mine on eBay for $100. Then you don't have to remember to take the drill, charge the drill, or find a place to store the drill. The power jack is worth every penny.

slipf18 · 12-27-2013, 02:18 AM

Spend the money on a good quality electric jack. You will not regret it. Trust us on this.

Whitewolf · 12-27-2013, 10:16 PM

If you aren't ready to spend the money on an electric jack, I recommend one of these. http://www.fastwaytrailer.com/flip/
I installed on on our last TT and it worked great. Saved a zillion turns on the crank and provided a foot pad.

kbrown1075 · 01-01-2014, 12:35 PM

Go with the electric jack. When we bought our TT a few years ago, I held off on the electric jack when it was suggested by the dealer. I picked up the TT in late June and brought it home. I backed in the driveway and commenced to unhook. Had to crank it down to take the weight off the truck and actually lift the truck to get the WDH undone. The DW was just standing there watching. Finally she piped up and said "you better get that jack!" Note that we live in South Louisiana, it's hot and humid.

My DW and I have an understanding, "if it isn't easy/ enjoyable, then I probably wouldn't enjoy it".

jkklops · 01-01-2014, 12:43 PM

come on cranking the camper up is not that bad I am from ohio and do it all the time that is why the buckeyes are so good from tough ohio people

Weezer · 01-01-2014, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkklops

come on cranking the camper up is not that bad

I'm thinkin' that'd depend on which model/weight camper you're crankin'.

jkklops · 01-01-2014, 03:43 PM

I have a 32 foot rockwood with a slide it goes in at 7500 pounds no problem for a ohio boy who is 60 years old

Eaglelover · 01-07-2014, 03:45 PM

I love the electric jack. My jack just failed and I can't get it repaired because it is imported,. The jack is a LCI and I would never buy another one from LCI. I am trying to get help with it from the dealer and FR. It is about 1 month out of warranty. If I need to purchase a new one I will purchase a BARKER. They are made in the USA and have great reviews on Amazon. I would never purchase a used one. Add an electric jack and you will be very happy.
Frank

thegreatoutdoors · 01-23-2014, 09:51 AM

We have an electric jack and love it. I also made an adapter to fit a drill just in case something happens and i need to manually raise or lower it. Get the correct size socket and weld a piece of square stock to it. Make sure the drill is strong enough to do the job also. I made an adapter for the power awning, slide out and the power stab jacks too.

Capt. Mike · 01-23-2014, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegreatoutdoors

We have an electric jack and love it. I also made an adapter to fit a drill just in case something happens and i need to manually raise or lower it. Get the correct size socket and weld a piece of square stock to it. Make sure the drill is strong enough to do the job also. I made an adapter for the power awning, slide out and the power stab jacks too.

Have you tried to raise your electric tongue jack using a drill? We had to raise and lower ours manually in Texas last fall after our LCI power jack failed. I used a socket and a ratchet, and it was still a little difficult to do with an 8" or 9" ratchet. It would take one tough power drill to move it. Just sayin'...

thegreatoutdoors · 01-23-2014, 10:13 AM

Capt. Mike, Yes I actually did raise the tongue jack with the drill. Now.. it will take a 1/2"-3/4" drill motor to do this. A 3/8' drive drill will most definitely burn up up trying to crank on the jack.

Talonman · 01-23-2014, 01:29 PM

I have used a 20v Dewalt and I think if hooked up to my transmission could pull the trailer...

I don't know for sure but I would think an impact would be a bad thing as it will hammer not turn once the load come up.

MtnGuy · 01-23-2014, 01:53 PM

Since the OP has mentioned an extra battery and generator, I presume he will be doing some dry camping. All is good if he can charge his battery while dry camping, but the electric tongue jack will take some juice from the battery when used, so that needs to be considered.

That is why I don't have an electric tongue jack, plus sometimes working the jack is my main form of exercise.

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