Hydraulic tongue jack

[GMFL]

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.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=q9PemNDVQd0

[rmkrum]

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...

[azflycaster]

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?

[rmkrum]

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?”

[dznf0g]

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.

[GMFL]

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.

[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?

[dznf0g]

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?

My guess is...noise reduction??

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

My guess is...noise reduction??

Could be a solution in search of a need or problem.

[Wayne&Sam]

The video doesn't give much confidence in their quality control.

[GMFL]

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.

[GMFL]

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.

[GMFL]

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)

[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?

[GMFL]

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?

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

[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?

[GMFL]

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?

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.

[rmkrum]

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.

[ghaynes755]

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"

[pcskier]

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.

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.