Looking to replace my Electric Tongue Lift

[Re-Pete]

Hi,
I have a 29' 1992 Excella Classic. My I'd like to replace my electric lift and was wondering if there are some better models I should definitely be considering.

The lift on my AS is older and making some terrible noises. Also the allen screws are frozen and allow the motor to twist the entire housing back and forth. So, I think it would be best to replace it with a whole new lift.

[HowieE]

Super Jack 3500 by H&H Engineering. It ha been the standard for years. It has capacity and speed. Some of the newer jack are so slow the weekend is over before you are disconnected.

Oh yes. They stand behind their product.

[msmcv51]

I replaced mine this spring with a Husky Brut. It has a 4500# rating. The unique thing about is that it has ball bearing setup in the threads of the screw lift not just friction threads. It has worked good this far, so now I what the test of time.

[blkmagikca]

I replaced mine about a year ago with the Husky as well. One thing I was unaware of was that with the Husky, you can remove the holder for the umbilical cord (the power cord from the TV to the trailer) and then it will fit flat against the propane tank cover.

[Re-Pete]

Originally Posted by HowieE

Super Jack 3500 by H&H Engineering. It ha been the standard for years. It has capacity and speed. Some of the newer jack are so slow the weekend is over before you are disconnected.

Oh yes. They stand behind their product.

Is this the one you're talking about? http://www.barkermfg.com/vip%20jack%20new%20%282%29.jpg

[Re-Pete]

Originally Posted by blkmagikca

I replaced mine about a year ago with the Husky as well. One thing I was unaware of was that with the Husky, you can remove the holder for the umbilical cord (the power cord from the TV to the trailer) and then it will fit flat against the propane tank cover.

That Umbilical holder is pretty nice. To bad it doesn't fit.

[GCinSC2]

Got Husky too. Impressed by the ball screw system too. I have a friends Barker Super Jack 3500 on the bench trying to make it a spare for its owner. It seems to have failed from p poor soldering on the switch terminals. Also it has about 6 spots where the wire insulation at the switch area is crushed from pinch fit of cover over wires including the motor feed wires being crossed under the cover, really compressed. Not looking real good right now.

Also Husky does not require removing the power head for manual operation.

[GCinSC2]

Re Pete,

I put the plug holder on the side using outdoor double sided tape. Working for me.

Gary

[Re-Pete]

I have the Reese Dual Cam Hitch set up which requires lifting the tongue after it's connected to the trailer ball. So, I'm lifting the back end of 2500 Dodge Ram truck as well to finish hooking up the cams. My main concern is having enough lift power. I never considered speed, I guess because my current lift seems fairly quick.

What is the expected life of a power lift? We go on some pretty long trips every year, moving on average once a week, so, my lift gets a lot of use. Right now the one I have, no idea what brand it is, sounds like it's grinding gravel when I use it and like I've said it's loose where it's mounted at the top of the "pole".

Both the Husky and the Super Jack seem adequate. Anything else to add?

[dougandlori]

I put a Barker on my last two Airstreams. Very happy

[blkmagikca]

Originally Posted by Re-Pete

That Umbilical holder is pretty nice. To bad it doesn't fit.

Actually, I had the dealer who sold it to me drill out three holes for the bolts with the jack turned sideways. I had to remove the light on the side that is against the tank cover. So I have minimal light, but the umbilical cord plug is nicely protected.

I'm also using the Reese Dual Cam and the Husky works well with it.

[Re-Pete]

Does anyone know what the expected life of an electric trailer lift is? Just curious.

[blkmagikca]

Originally Posted by Re-Pete

Does anyone know what the expected life of an electric trailer lift is? Just curious.

That's a crap shoot!

The original one on my AS (1987) died 2 years ago - so 25 years. The first Husky died within a year and was replaced under warranty - and the replacement is working fine.

[Re-Pete]

Thanks to everyone for they're help and advice. I decided to go with the Husky. Mostly because it was recommended almost equally with the Barker and because it was available through Amazon Prime, so I'll have it in a couple of days.

[Re-Pete]

As I mentioned, I ordered the Husky Brute 4500 Power Lift through Amazon Prime. I not only got a very good price I had it in two business days. Fortunately, the old lift came out pretty easy and the Husky installation was relatively easy as well. BTW, There are a few pretty good installation videos on YouTube. I just had to think a bit on how to adapt things like moving the umbilical plug holder and where to locate the circuit breaker.

I had to move the Umbilical Plug holder from the rear of the Husky which was a matter of simply removing several screws and sliding the holder down and off the back of the unit. I replaced the screws and dabbed them with some silicone, to prevent rain leakage. I was able to zip tie it to the side as shown pretty well in the second picture. The Husky includes a 30Amp push button circuit breaker to be installed inline with the power feed. I was able to install it inside my front storage box, right behind my propane tanks (Pic 3) where it is shielded by the tank cover and still very accessible. Lastly, Pic 4 shows the circuit breaker install from within the storage box. To feed my wires into the box I enlarged an existing hole front corner of the bottom of the box by working up to a 1/2" drill bit. I slipped a rubber grommet inside the hole to protect the wires from the metal edges. I used yellow butt connectors and yellow shrink tubes to connect the wires and to seal them up. Below are the pictures of the finished install. If you wish, click on them for easier to see enlarged images.

[idroba]

Originally Posted by Re-Pete

Does anyone know what the expected life of an electric trailer lift is? Just curious.

I have no idea about the new ones, but I had two Reese electric jacks that I moved from trailer to trailer for years. Both were made in the early 1980's, and were/are small, quiet, powerful and very fast. I sure wish Reese made the identical unit today. The powerhead is smaller than any unit now available now.

I sold one with my '71 Caravel, the other is still in good operating condition and is used on my '74 Argosy. Neither unit ever needed any repairs, but the plastic motor case eventually cracked on both. I repaired it with Aluminum tape and painted it again. Still working fine.

[SARGE/AF]

I replaced mine with a Husky from Camping World, 4500 lb, with a extendable foot, and it also came with a remote (not what I bought it for, was on sale and extendable foot).. it has performed flawlessly and I am extremely pleased with it. The remote I did find that it was extremely handy in hooking up as I no longer have to jump in and out of the truck when hooking up if I don't get the tongue up high enough or once I am under it I can let it down onto the hitch while holding the break on the truck to keep it from rolling that little bit that puts you just not far enough or too far under, and I know everyone has experienced that problem.

[rgwatkin]

I have a 2012 28ft.FC. As my trailer is not stored close, can someone tell me what stock lift was installed on it?

[HowieE]

If the Baker Super Jack is still available but it directly from them. Most of the newer jacks are Chinese junk.
http://www.barkermfg.com/superjack.jpg

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by HowieE

If the Baker Super Jack is still available but it directly from them. Most of the newer jacks are Chinese junk.
http://www.barkermfg.com/superjack.jpg

Sadly, appears to be discontinued as a new product, but parts are available through Barker.