Manual Jack Broken - Best Elec. Jack?

montanaandy · 06-18-2003, 01:36 PM

We brought the AS home after having some new equipment installed and found that the manual jack does not work anymore (gears feel stripped - it won't raise or lower at all). We hauled it in to the local RV specialist and I need to have them replace the jack (among other repairs). I would like to switch over to an elec. jack but have read some posts about problems with certain elec. jacks/brands. What would those of you out there with elec. jacks recommend? Thanks, Montanaandy

LLB21 · 06-18-2003, 10:44 PM

The Barker H&H Super Jack is a good one. It holds up good.

Gunnyusmc · 06-19-2003, 06:12 AM

I also have a Barker H&H and its been great. Recomended by my Airstream dealer.

uucal · 07-09-2003, 08:11 AM

The previous responders are right. The Barker is a good unit. It is presently used by Airstream. You can also find the same units in Camping World

Cal Hansen

Silvertwinky · 07-09-2003, 12:38 PM

I too had to change the jack and I chose the Barker HD!

It fit right in place with only one minor problem. I chose to remove the "Excella" name plate from the front of the gas tank cover, it was pushing against the back of the jack just a little. I believe if I had installed it facing the side it may have cleared it.

Other than that it works great and it fit into the same holes without a problem.

Purchasing it at a trailer sales of “SOB” though, the only thing I didn't like was the fact that they only had white. However, after saving about $300.00 from what I was quoted at an Airstream Dealership for a replacement jack, I was happy with the white!

montanaandy · 07-09-2003, 02:42 PM

Thanks for the responses. It appears that the Barker is the recommended unit, hands down. Is this something that I can install myself (somewhat handy) or should I have the RV dealer/service center install it?

Montanaandy

drboyd · 07-09-2003, 03:09 PM

...the way I understand it, so I'm guessing you can do it yourself. The critical part will be correctly supporting the trailer tongue while you're playing around underneath it. Please be safe on that deal!

overlander64 · 07-09-2003, 06:40 PM

Greetings Montanaandy!

I don't know whether you will run into the same problem with your '79 that my mechanic ran into with my '64 Overlander. The new power jacks are much larger in circumference than the orginal manual jack, and the way that the mounting was designed on my '64 welding was required to make the modifications necessary to fit the new Barker HD jack to the tongue of my '64 Overlander - - the new jack also had a different attachment bolt pattern as well that required drilling new holes.

Kevin

Silvertwinky · 07-10-2003, 04:53 AM

Andy,

When I started to replace mine, I thought it was going to be a fairly difficult job but as it turned out it was much easier than what I had anticipated. Of course as drboyd stated make sure you have the tongue supported safely.

I suspect that since your A/S is a 31'er that it probably had an electric jack on it at one time! If it did then I would think that the holes should line up ok and that you have a power supply also.

When I changed ours it only took about an hour or two to do it myself. If you are going to try and replace it yourself, I would recommend that you disconnect the battery first to avoid any problems while doing the wiring.

After securing the tongue, I disconnected the wiring then removed the three bolts which came out fairly easy. Lifted out the old jack and re-placed it with the new one, replaced the bolts and connected the wiring and it was finished!

The jack came with a washer that I used which helps to make a better ground. If the jack doesn't get grounded properly, it won't work.

It was that easy! However, as I mentioned in the earlier post it rubbed the name plate on the tank cover once I placed it back on. I think I could have avoided this if I had positioned the jack facing to one side instead of toward the front.

I also took the time to replace the brake away switch. I didn't like the looks of the older one so I thought it would be a good time for that. It was fastened onto a small plate which was attached with one of the bolts on the jack.

Pahaska · 07-10-2003, 06:33 AM

Safest and easiest way to support the tongue while replacing the jack is to simply do it with the trailer hitched to the tow vehicle. That's what I did on my SOB. There was plenty of room to work.