Got to Replace my 2009 Barker Superjack

[KJRitchie]

I did a dumb thing today and forgot to put the hitch pin the the Equalizer receiver head shank and as I was slowly exiting the neighborhood street the Equlizer head pulled out. The trailer came down on the Equalizer head and the tongue jack shaft above the A frame contacted the Tundra bumper and the bent the shaft and broke the gear box housing. So I need a new electric jack.

The clearance between the original Barker jack and the propane tank cover is minimal. The propane cover just touched the Barker. The Barker I have has the motor parallel to the propane cover. There is a light that shines on the hitch so it seems this is the way its supposed to be mounted The newer Airstreams seem to have a jack with the motor mounted forward but there seems to be too much housing sticking out behind the shaft that will prevent the use of my propane cover. Airstream must have moved the propane tanks back a couple of inches on newer models. I can't see how I can use the current model of Barker jack plus they have white heads. I'd like to find one that has the Airstream gray but I'm willing to paint the housing if necessary.

Has anyone replaced a 2008 or similar jack and can you post any photos showing the install?

Kelvin

[sb55]

Sorry to hear about your mishap. I recently installed a barker jack on my 2004 Safari 25 and had the "front" of the jack face the street side. The reason to turn it is for the truck tailgate to clear the jack. It's fairly easy to loosen the head and aim it where you need it.


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[KJRitchie]

Here is a photo of the tongue showing how close the jack is to the propane cover.
The second photo is the jack looking at the side, the left is to the tow vehicle and the right is to the propane tank cover. As you can see there is no space for a large housing.

Kelvin

[sb55]

Won't your cover push back a little?


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[KJRitchie]

Nope, the cover is up against the propane tanks. The tanks sit in welded rings then the battery box hinge is mounted directly behind the tanks. Very tight. I think I found my solution.

Airstream Power Jack

Kelvin

[sb55]

Looks similar to the Barker I got from Amazon.


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[KJRitchie]

I searched Amazon but didn't see anything similar.

Thanks

Kelvin

[sb55]

Try this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001V8...robot_redir=1#


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[richinny]

you can call barker and get a new shaft assembly. it is pricey but an easy swap to put the old head on the shaft. make sure you tell them it is on an airstream.

[KJRitchie]

The housing for the electronics and gears is broken into several pieces and the shaft is bent. The jack came into contact with my Tundra bumper. Its a total loss.

Kelvin

[KJRitchie]

Originally Posted by sb55

Try this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001V8...robot_redir=1#


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I've looked at those but the motor housing sticks out behind the shaft. There isn't enough clearance to the propane tank cover. I guess the motor housing could be mounted at a different angle but the light would be pointing to the side instead of the front. I don't particularly like the white cover. I know, I'm being picky. Thanks for the suggestion.

Kelvin

[KJRitchie]

I'm also looking at the Ultra Fab 4000 or 4002.
4000 lb. Tongue Jack with Adjustable Foot - Ultra-Fab 38-944014 - Tongue Jacks - Camping World

I downloaded the external dimensions for this jack and the motor housing faces forward. The housing at the rear extends slightly but it looks like it could clear the propane cover or slight rub on it but then the Barker rubbed slightly.

My only question is the Barker has only one wire coming out. I plan to splice it to the original wire but the Ultra Fab instructions indicate there is a positive and negative wire to connect. I guess the Barker uses the mounting frame for ground. Does the Barker single wire just attach to the positive post of the battery?

I may check this power jack out at Camping World after work.

Kelvin

[KJRitchie]

I've decided to go with the Airstream jack sold by Vintage Trailer Supply. There is a lead time of 7 or 9 days. The jack is ordered from Barker and is the same part as my damaged one. It won't be painted the pewter gray but I can paint it later. It is more expensive than the current Barker line but the main reason I went with it is because of the lack of clearance between the propane tank cover and the jack location. Any jack house that extends more than an inch from the jack shaft hits the tank cover.

Kelvin

[richinny]

barker told me that the jack that airstream uses for excellas (maybe others) has a more robust 'screw system'. the unpainted post is pretty shiny.

[KJRitchie]

I received my replacement Barker Superjack and I've installed it. Its an exact replacement as the original shipped from Barker via Vintage Trailer Supply. However when there is weight on the jack and lowering it there is a clunking noise as it engages and lowers the tongue. As soon as the weight is off the noise goes away.

I had to rotate the head on the shaft 90 deg to have it clear the propane tank but that is explained in the instructions as normal without having to retime the shaft.

My old jack didn't sound like this when retracting with weight.

Is this common or do I have a defective unit?

Kelvin

[KJRitchie]

Spoke with Barker on Friday about the clunking noise. They suggested I pull the head off and put some 90w oil down the shaft. After taking the head off it exposes the end of the shaft but I put a little oil in the chamber but none if it seems to penetrate past the shaft. I then used the manual crank to raise and lower the trailer. When cranking it up it feels smooth. When I start cranking down it starts smooth but then hits a rough spot. I guess the screw inside the shaft is not machined correctly. I'll have to remove it and send it back for replacement. Why is everything I try to fix on my Airstream require so much effort. Nothing goes smooth with it. Bad Karma.

Kelvin