Tongue Jack Protection

[Stg1]

This tip is for everyone that has an electric tongue jack. Most jacks have a place at the top where you insert a crank to raise or lower your jack when the battery fails. This port is subject to water, ice, snow to get inside and foul the gears. Purchase a vinyl jack head cover to keep the head dry. They're not expensive and will save your jack. The vinyl cover has a drawstring to hold it in place during travel and you can also store you're electric cord to keep it out of the elements. I found mine on Amazon, but I'm sure you can get them from a number of vendors.

[meck51]

Good advice, learned the hard way one time. Luckily it was under warranty.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[UmptySquat]

Ultra-Fab Products 38-944020 Tongue Jack Cover https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YJJS2U..._TLcnvb0JM046N
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YJJS2U..._TLcnvb0JM046N

[ColoradoRick]

Good tip! I have a cover over that, my awnings, tires, and over my A/C. (Too windy here for a full cover) Are there any other covers to recommend? (I noticed the new Forest River RVs come with a built-on awning shield that protects them when they are retracted...they should've had that from day one...our UV rays from the sun quickly deteriorates unprotected awnings in just a few years.)

[pvillebly]

Thanks for the link UmptySquat. Ordered one to replace my worn out cover. I put plastic grocery bags over the head before placing the cover for added rain protection.

[itat]

I just got one of those Ultra Fab covers last week! Ordered it for my new Husky HB4500 electric jack for my new-to-me TT.

[DDC]

I use a bag from a fold up lawn chair, it has it's own draw string and is nylon so it still breaths but keeps the water out and I don't even need to take it off to operate the switch.

[TT233S]

Originally Posted by Stg1

This tip is for everyone that has an electric tongue jack. Most jacks have a place at the top where you insert a crank to raise or lower your jack when the battery fails. This port is subject to water, ice, snow to get inside and foul the gears. Purchase a vinyl jack head cover to keep the head dry. They're not expensive and will save your jack. The vinyl cover has a drawstring to hold it in place during travel and you can also store you're electric cord to keep it out of the elements. I found mine on Amazon, but I'm sure you can get them from a number of vendors.

Does each camper come with a crank? And where in the trailer would you find it?

[itat]

If you got an electric jack from the factory it should have a crank for the jack. Mine came with a check sheet that listed where the cranks were stored by the factory.

[mTn_biKer65]

Originally Posted by DDC

I use a bag from a fold up lawn chair, it has it's own draw string and is nylon so it still breaths but keeps the water out and I don't even need to take it off to operate the switch.

Same here. I've been using the retired folding chair bag without issue since I installed the tongue jack. It's a little long so I double it back near the bottom.

Tongue jack head still looks as good as the day I got it.

[Mountndream]

I use a white bucket. I hook my chains to it when the camper isn't hooked up. I don't worry about it when traveling unless its raining and then i have a bungee cord that I use to keep it in place. total cost less that $4

Bonus feature: I always have a bucket when i need it

[JohnF]

Originally Posted by Mountndream

I use a white bucket. I hook my chains to it when the camper isn't hooked up. I don't worry about it when traveling unless its raining and then i have a bungee cord that I use to keep it in place. total cost less that $4

Bonus feature: I always have a bucket when i need it

X2

John

[Stg1]

I'm not sure I'd want a bucket going down the road, even with bungee cords. The vinyl cover is much better and looks great.

[Stg1]

Originally Posted by TT233S

Does each camper come with a crank? And where in the trailer would you find it?

You're electric tongue jack should have come with the crank. It is usually located in the storage area. Sometime they hang it on the wall of the storage area. If your TT was new when you purchased it and doesn't have one, I'd go back to the dealer to see why not.

[jpaskell]

I think the crank that is used for the stabilization jacks is the same one for the electric tongue jack.

Maybe not but mine is, and hopefully will not have to use it. It ain't easy.

Jim

[pfeather1]

I use the bucket idea when parked too - remove it when traveling cause don't think water will get in at 50 mph - but that's just me

[caper]

I also use the bucket and riveted a clamp used the hold brooms. The clamp allows me to keep the 7 way plug under the bucket also.

[lickem66]

Originally Posted by Stg1

This tip is for everyone that has an electric tongue jack. Most jacks have a place at the top where you insert a crank to raise or lower your jack when the battery fails. This port is subject to water, ice, snow to get inside and foul the gears. Purchase a vinyl jack head cover to keep the head dry. They're not expensive and will save your jack. The vinyl cover has a drawstring to hold it in place during travel and you can also store you're electric cord to keep it out of the elements. I found mine on Amazon, but I'm sure you can get them from a number of vendors.

Good tip. I've been doing it since we bought our TT.

[bigoil7]

Originally Posted by DDC

I use a bag from a fold up lawn chair, it has it's own draw string and is nylon so it still breaths but keeps the water out and I don't even need to take it off to operate the switch.

Wow, that works really well. Thanks for the tip!

[tenttotrailer]

I bought one to, better than using a plastic grocery bag as there would be the possibility of condensation.

About the manuel crank, it is a three foot metal rod with a socket at the end. It would be stored with the crank from the slide.

Kevin