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03-26-2019, 07:03 PM
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#1
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Overkill Specialist
Commercial Member
2020 30’ Globetrotter
2014 23' International
Dadeville
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,516
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Hydraulic tongue jack
Ok so..... I’m looking at a new project with QUADRA manufacturing which makes Bigfoot leveling systems for RV’s. I installed one of there systems on my Dads 30’ LazyDaze Class C and it has worked flawlessly.
They have developed a hydraulic tongue jack for larger trailers based on there RV leveling system pump and cylinder. See link.
https://www.shop.thebigfootleveler.c...16-QT8K-16.htm
I’m working with there tech guys to design a system that will work for our Airstream.
This system will include a 8000lb cylinder with the base plate welded approx 6” from the cylinder base. This will allow the bottom of the cylinder to be approx 1” below the bottom of the tongue a frame. No other brackets will be welded to the cylinder which will keep things very clean.
The electric pump will be remotely mounted under the trailer in the back Streetside corner of the spare tire well. (It will not hang down below the spare tire)
Two hydraulic lines approx 7’ in length will be routed to the cylinder along the inside of the a-frame.
I will have to work out a toggle switch enclosure and mounting location but after that this tongue jack will be AWESOME.
I know there will not be a manual override or a way to manually operate the system without battery power but I don’t think that will be a problem for me.
WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?
Here is a YouTube video of their current system. We will utilize the same pump and cylinder, but will remotely mount the pump to clean things up a bit.
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03-26-2019, 09:31 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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What happens when I lose power and have to raise or lower the Jack under that condition?
Reminds me about the time our aircraft carrier rolled an A-7 onto the helipad of a tanker alongside when the guy riding the aircraft brakes lost hydraulic pressure. He thought he was going down into the water, but the guys lounging on the helipad threw chocks at the A-7 and got it secured in the nick of time. I’m sure the kid in the cockpit had a laundry problem after that wild ride.
Worse, it cost us a pallet load of ice cream to get the airplane back when both ships made port...
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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03-26-2019, 09:38 PM
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#3
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Site Team
2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,606
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Why?
My jack has a switch. One direction raises the jack, the other direction lowers the jack. When I let go of the switch, it stops. If I loose power, I can crank it by hand with the jack tool.
What else do you want?
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
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03-26-2019, 10:26 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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Hydraulic tongue jack
Precisely. On an Airstream the standard electric jack works ‘just fine’. It works, or it breaks and you can crank it by hand, or just unbolt it and toss it into the TV to fix/replace later. No huhu.
Stuck down, break out the bottle jack, unbolt as before. Simplicity personified...
Sorta like the very old Volkswagen Beetle commercials on Television.
“It goes forward, it goes backwards, it goes slow, it goes fast. It turns left, it turns right. What more do you need?”
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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03-27-2019, 06:51 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,655
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I'm not sure I'm a player, but here's my feedback. The head unit must be smaller. (remote components???). The foot design must be smaller and cleaner. I believe it would interfere with a Hensley and maybe a PP hitch.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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03-27-2019, 08:34 AM
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#6
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Overkill Specialist
Commercial Member
2020 30’ Globetrotter
2014 23' International
Dadeville
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,516
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To each their own I guess. I like the fact the system mounted to the tongue would be very compact.
The bottle jack backup plan is what I was thinking would work. I carry one for the truck all the time.
With the hydraulic lift on the front there would be very little binding while lifting the back of the truck up some to install WD bars.
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03-27-2019, 08:38 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 7,620
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Since you asked, I'm wondering what the advantage of a hydraulic system is?
I can understand if the tongue weight is so large as to require hydraulics, but that's not us.
Maybe I'm missing something?
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03-27-2019, 08:54 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,655
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mollysdad
Since you asked, I'm wondering what the advantage of a hydraulic system is?
I can understand if the tongue weight is so large as to require hydraulics, but that's not us.
Maybe I'm missing something?
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My guess is...noise reduction??
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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03-27-2019, 08:55 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,655
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dznf0g
My guess is...noise reduction??
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Could be a solution in search of a need or problem.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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03-27-2019, 09:26 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Cuddebackville
, New York
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,333
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The video doesn't give much confidence in their quality control.
__________________
2014 25' Flying Cloud Rear Twin
2019 Ford Expedition Platinum
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03-27-2019, 03:06 PM
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#11
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Overkill Specialist
Commercial Member
2020 30’ Globetrotter
2014 23' International
Dadeville
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,516
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You are probably correct guys. Solution in search of a Problem would sum it up. Less noise would be the biggest benefit. Speed and strength also would be a benefit in my book. I believe that the system would be very low maintenance based on the demands you would place on it.
I’ve installed their RV four pump leveling system and the video does not represent the quality I’ve seen. Construction of the system I installed was good and system worked great. The pump assembly covers do leave a little to desire, but there are normally mounted under an RV so they are not out in plain view.
This company also offers 24hr customer service to those who need it.
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11-12-2019, 08:56 PM
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#12
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Overkill Specialist
Commercial Member
2020 30’ Globetrotter
2014 23' International
Dadeville
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,516
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Well I’m going to do it. Install the Bigfoot hydraulic tongue jack. Mounting the pump inside my now empty battery box and just have the small hydraulic cylinder on the tongue. Should be quiter, faster and why stronger. The pump will have a manual override in case of power failure. My dad has this system on his Class C and it works flawless. I’ll be sure to post the install and my take on the system. Stay tuned.
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12-30-2019, 08:40 PM
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#13
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Overkill Specialist
Commercial Member
2020 30’ Globetrotter
2014 23' International
Dadeville
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,516
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Well I did it!
Well......
I installed the Bigfoot hydraulic tongue jack on our Airstream today. Replacing our Barker jack which was living on borrowed time. This is a very clean install and the jack is a BEAST. 8000lb rating. Super smooth and strong.
You can see a video of operations on my Instagram (Link Below)
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12-30-2019, 09:36 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2019 27' Globetrotter
McHenry
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,153
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Looks like a well designed unit and clean installation. I guess the bottle jack as a backup would be the safe way to go if needed. Any idea of what the retail price might be?
__________________
2019 27’ Globetrotter FBT Walnut/Dublin Slate
2018 FC23FB
2019 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi Laramie Blue Ox 1000#
WBCCI# 10258
RETIRED!
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12-30-2019, 09:43 PM
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#15
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Overkill Specialist
Commercial Member
2020 30’ Globetrotter
2014 23' International
Dadeville
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,516
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffmc306
Looks like a well designed unit and clean installation. I guess the bottle jack as a backup would be the safe way to go if needed. Any idea of what the retail price might be?
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No need for a bottle jack back-up plan. The system has a manual bypass so in the event you have no power you can raise and lower the jack manually.
As far as cost. I’m not sure. Mine was a custom system put together with a remote pump install. (Prototype). My pump in located inside my unused battery box.
Their regular tongue jack is 595.00
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12-30-2019, 10:01 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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Hydraulic tongue jack
GMFL, that looks really nice. Clean and tidy look for sure. I wish you wouldn’t give me yet more great ideas. I got laughed at enough about the power WD jack setup for my ProPride system. (Which this tired lazy old dude is flat loving!)
I assume it runs up and down from a switch somewhere. What does it have to prevent uncommanded operation while underway or parked. Does it leak down any? Mechanical lock or what?
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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12-30-2019, 10:29 PM
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#17
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Overkill Specialist
Commercial Member
2020 30’ Globetrotter
2014 23' International
Dadeville
, Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,516
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmkrum
GMFL, that looks really nice. Clean and tidy look for sure. I wish you wouldn’t give me yet more great ideas. I got laughed at enough about the power WD jack setup for my ProPride system. (Which this tired lazy old dude is flat loving!)
I assume it runs up and down from a switch somewhere. What does it have to prevent uncommanded operation while underway or parked. Does it leak down any? Mechanical lock or what?
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It is operated by a momentary on-off-on switch. I also added a kill switch to kill the whole system.
It is designed and made with the same cylinders used in a 4 point Automatic RV leveling system.
Electric pump drives both up and down.
No leak down at all. They are designed to hold up an entire corner of an RV.
My pump is mounted inside my unused battery box.
System uses automatic transmission fluid.
I’m thinking of adding a remote fob to the system. While also leaving the the kill switch and manual momentary on-off-on switch.
It’s a really nice system, if a tongue jack excites you this one would blow your mind.
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12-30-2019, 10:56 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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Look on Amazon for electronic dongle modules that can do this. Be sure to find one that only allows one output at a time.
Guilty as charged, your honor. My only defense is that I’m a retired Boeing engineer that’s still working on fun stuff**.
(Like computer controlled power WD jacks that use sensors on the tow vehicle to set weight distribution correctly for trailer loading and road conditions)
The jacks are installed and being run manually, but the idea is looking fairly practical with the right Arduino software and some more electrical gadgets and height sensors. The fun will be the algorithms and safety stuff.
**Engineering ‘fun stuff’ is defined as coming up with a neatly complex, convoluted, and elegant solution to a simple problem. Rube Goldberg comes to mind...as a starting point.
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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12-31-2019, 09:47 AM
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#19
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2020 Classic 33
Box Elder
, South Dakota
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,731
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From the BigFoot site sounds like they have a wireless solution "To upgrade to a Wireless Control or Manual Override feel free to give us a call! 1-800-752-9815"
__________________
Gary
2020 Classic 33 Twin, 2019 Ram 3500 Longhorn, ProPride
NØVPN
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01-01-2020, 10:08 AM
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#20
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The Aluminum Tent 3
2014 23' Flying Cloud
Park City
, Utah
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,157
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GMFL
I’m thinking of adding a remote fob to the system. While also leaving the the kill switch and manual momentary on-off-on switch.
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You just can't leave well enough alone, can you? LOL I'd expect nothing less.
Guys, the video is worth a watch. This is a very slick mod, and done with the usual Ronnie quality and perfection.
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