Jack FAILED with a BANG

[YoungKopernik]

This is a story all should read and then store in the not to far back of your mind.
My sister has a 2010 28BH TT (not by ForestRiver), while disconnecting from her TV, on level cement at our house, she did the foot push/wiggle to dislodge the ball and it did. Her foot was left on the bumper and continued to jack up, the jack sounded low on power and then it just dropped CRASH BOOM BANG…THUD, 3 inches from her foot. I just stood dumbfounded I think she wet herself; camper just sat there on the bumper. Thank goodness we hadn’t pulled the truck out. Thank goodness nobody was hurt.
I am a stickler on safety and always talk to my kids where danger lies and where you should not be but, while I am always aware, sometimes I don’t do what I preach. This one has given me a few nightmares.
How do they rate these jacks? All that I found are called 2500#-5000#. Here is my issue: what does your tongue weigh 400#-600#? so ya I don’t get it, sisters jack was a 3500#.
The jack manufacture didn’t even question it and sent out a new one but it was going to take 7-10 days. She didn’t want to wait and wasn’t sure putting the same one back on would be smart. We put on a Husky 4000# it was recommended by a nearby trailer shop and it looks great, more robust. Yes, I now have an extra jack.
I don’t know how you could prevent this, jack had only been used maybe 30 times. Trailer shop we dealt with says there is no real maintenance(grease, adjustment,..)just keep it clean.
I always do the same thing with my camper: jack up off ball, pull truck out, jack up or down to level and then put down stabilizers. While stabilizers could have saved this I don’t know how to logistically do any thing differently
Have Fun, Be Safe,
John

[SaskCampers]

Scary story and something you never think would happen like that unfolded.

[Triguy]

That is very scary! Glad that she wasn't hurt.

What brand jack failed?

[Bama PrimeTime]

I had the same thing happen to me about 2 years ago and my jack is a Barker VIP3500. So Brand really has nothing to do with when it will collapse. I had only lifted about 2 inches above hitch ball and it drop right back on the ball, BUT, it scared the H&LL out of me. Progress Mgr was great to work with in sending the repair parts needed as it was out of warranty. I haven't had any other problems out of the jack, I keep it covered with a Zip-lock bag full time(even while towing) and cover with a 3 gallon bucket when not in use to protect it from the sun.
Our Surveyor only has the single arm stabilizers instead of scissor jacks and I know they would never support the trailer if my Barker were to fail again and the truck hitch weren't there to catch it.

[Triguy]

What failed on your Barker? I've got the same one.

[Bama PrimeTime]

The gear pin sheared off.

[Road-King]

I would have thought, if the jack fails, it would not go up or down but not just drop! Wow! glad everyone and everything is ok.

[tntrac]

This is what I always done. Put the chokes on the wheels and lower the stabilizers down a few inches from the ground. Then I raise the front jack off the ball. That way if the jack fails, hopefully the stabilizers would be a second layer of protection.