Electric Tongue Jack Motor Froze Up

[jrschneider99]

I have started the communication process with Forest River for warranty repair of my electric tongue jack. It won't raise or lower and trips the circuit breaker that is located in the head of the unit. To compound issues I can't manually (hand crank) raise or lower the unit. I even lifted the load off of the tongue and could not raise or lower electronically or manually.
Question to the responders of this forum;
Is it worth the effort to get a mobile RV technician to come out and repair the electronic tongue jack and wait the month or more for reimbursement from Forest River Inc or just upgrade to a 4,000 lb capacity tongue jack and eat the +/-$250 cost for a new unit and the hour of my time to replace?

Looking forward to all replies........

 

[Reverse_snowbird]

Question to the responders of this forum;
Is it worth the effort to get a mobile RV technician to come out and repair the electronic tongue jack and wait the month or more for reimbursement from Forest River Inc or just upgrade to a 4,000 lb capacity tongue jack and eat the +/-$250 cost for a new unit and the hour of my time to replace?

Looking forward to all replies........

That's really only a question you can answer.
If you opt for a FR repair, try to get authorization in advance. If you opt for the mobile rv tech, make certain that they have the electronic tongue jack available for replacement in case it can't be repaired. The supply chain has made some parts unavailable.

 

[jeff64-FRF]

What response have you had from the dealer?

 

[jrschneider99]

What response have you had from the dealer?

I haven't contacted the dealership (General RV in Dover FL) yet. I didn't think it would be worthwhile since I can't tow my trailer to them as the inner tube of the tongue jack won't retract.

 

[jrschneider99]

Electronic Tongue Jack

That's really only a question you can answer.
If you opt for a FR repair, try to get authorization in advance. If you opt for the mobile rv tech, make certain that they have the electronic tongue jack available for replacement in case it can't be repaired. The supply chain has made some parts unavailable.

I have gotten authorization for the mobile tech. Good advice to check that they have the available replacement.

I would swap out the motor myself if I could obtain that readly.

 

[rsdata]

I have gotten authorization for the mobile tech. Good advice to check that they have the available replacement.

I would swap out the motor myself if I could obtain that readly.

Harbor Freight generally has those in stock, and Northern Tool if you can find a store or can mail order them... maybe even Tractor Supply generally less then $200

I recall when I first got my trailer, mine also got stuck and would blow the fuse...

several good heavy knocks on the down tube with a hammer on a couple of sides knocked it loose and it never stuck again

 

[rmac04401]

They are easy to replace. It’s almost a disposable item. Did you talk to the manufacture of the jack. You may get quicker response and reimbursement from them. Heck if it’s a crappy lippert, they may just let you go to RV place and they will pay for new ones.

No one realizes that all component have their own warranty and sometimes it’s quicker and easier contacting the component manufacture rather then Forest River.

 

[jrschneider99]

They are easy to replace. It’s almost a disposable item. Did you talk to the manufacture of the jack. You may get quicker response and reimbursement from them. Heck if it’s a crappy lippert, they may just let you go to RV place and they will pay for new ones.

No one realizes that all component have their own warranty and sometimes it’s quicker and easier contacting the component manufacture rather then Forest River.

I believe mine came from Intertek Distribution, I will check with them if they support their units after the sale as you have suggested.

Good news! The manufacture has communicated they will be sending a free replacement jack.

Thank you immensely for the suggestion of contacting them.

 

[johnlochbuie]

If you were in North Carolina I have one I would give it to you it is just sitting in my garage can't use it sits to high can't open tailgate to get wife's wheelchair out .

 

[bikendan]

If you were in North Carolina I have one I would give it to you it is just sitting in my garage can't use it sits to high can't open tailgate to get wife's wheelchair out .

Have you never seen this product:

https://jack-e-up.com/product/heavy-duty-universal-jack-e-up-2/

 

[jrschneider99]

If you were in North Carolina I have one I would give it to you it is just sitting in my garage can't use it sits to high can't open tailgate to get wife's wheelchair out .

This is an example of why many of us like the RV living. Helping one another with advice or even a physical solution to a problem one of us has encountered. I truly appreciate the offer and will keep it in mind if the manufacturer does not follow through with the free replacement.

 

[jimmoore13]

For purposes of sleuthing the problem...not advice on dealing with FR.

If the jack cannot be cranked by hand, the problem is not likely to be the motor. More likely this is a "gear" issue. The drive motor's engagement with the lead screw is very likely jammed. Repair is likely to be a waste of time.

As others have said, have a replacement on hand when the mobile tech comes...or have the tech bring one.

If the motor isn't fried, the tech might salvage it for repair of another tongue jack, but it sure sounds like your mechanism is jammed if you can't turn it with the hand crank or a drill.

Note that, when my tongue jack failed, my cordless drill really struggled to turn the thing...especially lifting. I used a 1/2" Dewalt Corded Drill to run it up and down, and that drill could do the job. Reason? I belive the drill drives the lead screw directly...with no "gear down", and the drill must overcome the inertia of the motor that's being driven via the manual override.

 

[jrschneider99]

Supplier of tongue jack to the rescue!

I followed up with the supplier (Intertek Distribution) for the electric tongue jack by way of their website under the "Contact Us" link. They responded within 9 minutes of me submitting that the electric tongue jack was not working. They asked for my mailing address, trailer manufacture and model. Communicating in their reply that they would be sending a replacement unit.

Recent postings to the forum regarding the build quaility of FR has left many owners frustrated. I just wanted to let everyone know of the superior customer service from the manufacture, Intertek Distribution, confirms that there as still companies out there that are doing everything they can to stand behind their products.

 

[jrschneider99]

Replacement Jack received!

A huge note of thanks to rmac04401 (Ron & Shirley) for suggesting I contact the manufacturer. Intertek Distribution certainly came through as I just received the new trailer jack via UPS today. Now that truly is service!