Jack failed to retract

[jcanavera]

Here are two things to be aware of. The Husky Super Brute has two removable caps. The one on top is for an emergency crank. There is also a side cover. You get a small rod that looks like a memory stick. You insert it into the side opening, it will slip into a socket. This is a manual brake. Note that the instructions tell you to put the crank in first, then hold on to the crank and put the small rod into the side slot and pull the rod rearward. This will release a brake. Not holding on to the crank could cause the crank to begin spinning uncontrollably. I did not notice any tendency for the crank to want to spin, but that may have been the fact that the trailer was on a level floor and was level itself. Note that the crank took a little muscle but nothing terrible. One issue is that the crank is so big that it does not clear the gas bottles. I ended up having to slightly tilt the bottles away from the jack and I cranked the jack. Note the picture of the crank touching the bottle collars.

[jcanavera]

I ended up talking with someone who came by and neglected to show the finished pictures. As it ended up I noticed a propane odor after I tilted the tanks and determined that the hoses after 14 years had deteriorated and my stressing the hose caused a leak. Thankfully I caught it there and I'll be ordering a couple of new hoses that will connect the propane tanks.

There is also included a power cord hanger which clamps with special wire ties around the jack post. It also manages the power wire which runs from the jack head to your taped bundle. The power cord hanger has a covered top which keeps your tow vehicle cable end dry and clean and keeps the cable off the ground.

This particular model comes with two remote controls that allow you to operate the jack hands free. I tried it from inside the trailer with my head in the freezer while I checked out the bubble level that is also included that I laid on the freezer floor. Pretty neat being able to raise or lower the hitch without having to touch the hitch jack itself.

Once I got everything cleaned up I put the bottle cover back on. Plenty of clearance between the jack head and the bottle cover.

The jack is quiet. Probably a little slower than the super jack. I didn't use the supplied circuit breaker since Airstream provides a 12 volt circuit that already is protected to 20 amps. My particular jack has 3 sets of led lights, one set on each side and one on the front of the jack head.

I chose the 5,000 lb capacity power jack for a couple of reasons. First it's priced on Amazon for about $110 less than a replacement Barker Superjack. Second it uses ball technology for raising and lowering. Finally although my Superjack was rated for 3,500 lbs, the price differential from 4,500 to 5,000 was less than $30. I figure that this jack will never be stressed even with the heavy hitch weight of my slide out and the need to lift the van up when loaded to get the Equal-i-zer leveling bars on. I got this jack from Amazon, with no sales tax and free shipping.

I'll get a few more pictures when I go back down to my storage locale. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Jack

[GCinSC2]

Jack,

Heavier capacity, less $, quieter, remote control, plug storage, head stays on IF mechanical override req'd. Not too bad.

I saw one thing that I wanted to double check, I think you have the lock washers in the wrong spot, this is from the instructions

"5. Secure the jack with three (3) grade 5, 3/8”-16 UNC bolts and washers. Place the star washers between the
flat washers and the mounting plate as shown in Figure 1. The star washers are intended to penetrate through
the paint on the mounting plate to ensure direct metal to metal contact. Bolts should be tightened to 15–20 ft•lb."

The jack is in direct contact with the hitch, lockwashers go under the head of the bolt.

Quiet and reliability, that's what I'm hoping you'll get from that jack.

Good thing the hose got found and fixed too.

Gary

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by GCinSC2

Jack,



Heavier capacity, less $, quieter, remote control, plug storage, head stays on IF mechanical override req'd. Not too bad.



I saw one thing that I wanted to double check, I think you have the lock washers in the wrong spot, this is from the instructions



"5. Secure the jack with three (3) grade 5, 3/8”-16 UNC bolts and washers. Place the star washers between the

flat washers and the mounting plate as shown in Figure 1. The star washers are intended to penetrate through

the paint on the mounting plate to ensure direct metal to metal contact. Bolts should be tightened to 15–20 ft•lb."



The jack is in direct contact with the hitch, lockwashers go under the head of the bolt.



Quiet and reliability, that's what I'm hoping you'll get from that jack.



Good thing the hose got found and fixed too.



Gary

Gary, the. jack only was supplied with the star washers. If you noticed with the old hitch removed, the area that the jack plate sat on had little if any paint. I decided that placing the star washer between the unpainted area and the mounting plate would supply just as good a grounding surface since the teeth of the star washer would penetrate the paint under the mounting plate and the fact that the hitch was devoid of paint in the area if the area of the jack mounting plate. The original jack had no washers and due to the locale of storage location, I had no quick access to a store to get washers.

As it ends up I have a good ground which primarily provided by the bolts in contact with the threads of the frame and the friction of the bolt heads against the top of the mounting plate. This is the same method that Airstream uses to ground the OEM jack.

Thanks for catching this. I purposely did it this way when I realized as I opened the bag with the washers and didn't see the flat ones supplied. I guess they do this because the don't know what size bolts you use and assume that the old jack had washers.

Jack

[Mollysdad]

How's the tailgate clearance?
Did you consider putting nuts underneath the hitch? (although from your photos the plate looks pretty thick.)

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

How's the tailgate clearance?
Did you consider putting nuts underneath the hitch? (although from your photos the plate looks pretty thick.)

I have a van so that's no issue. Husky has the dimensions on a flyer on their web site. I'll see if I can find them. There are no nuts on the original bolts that Airsteam uses with the Superjack. I reused those bolts.

Jack

[The Colonel]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

How's the tailgate clearance?
Did you consider putting nuts underneath the hitch? (although from your photos the plate looks pretty thick.)

I have the Husky 5000 on my airstream with a GMC 1500. There is adequate clearance between tailgate and the jack head when straight. If I'm in a turn it will hit.

[The Colonel]

I also have the blue box pro setup, fwiw.

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

How's the tailgate clearance?
Did you consider putting nuts underneath the hitch? (although from your photos the plate looks pretty thick.)

The jack head protrudes 6 9/16 inches forward from the center point of the jack post. That should give you what you need to know regarding your tailgate clearance.

Jack