Forum Discussion

thcguy12's avatar
thcguy12
Explorer
May 14, 2015

Might have BROKE the hydraulic jack on camper - HELP?!

So we got the travel trailer up to our mountain land. We lowered down the jack and it was straight and supporting trailer. We tried to get the hitch disconnected from ball and it would not come. We were wiggling it, jerking the car, etc. Eventually we gave it a small tap and it came loose.

HOWEVER.... Because of the mud sinking in and all the shaking and wiggling to get it unattached from car single pole hydraulic jack on A frame (with manual handle) is at about a 55-60 degree angle instead of straight down. It got too dark to do anything or look underneath. I left it as is - going up today to see about straightening it out. Hoping for best.

I am scared maybe I broke it off the frame or something. Do those things have flex like that to not be totally straight? It's in mountains so don't know how I would even install a new one (not bringing it back down).

-----------------------

Question #2:

Where is the optimal position for when to release the clamp that locks the ball in and then dropping the ball out of hitch?

We tried it low, mid, high, etc - I think it was just stuck but I want to make sure I do it right next time. Do you want the ball to be lifting up the car? Do you want the ball to be low and be weighing down the back of car? Do you want it somewhere in a happy medium?

Like I said I think it was stuck because a little tap with hammer and it came undone but I never had issues the other 4-5 times I had unhooked it. I think maybe it was the un-level mountain muddy ground that made it tough.
Class A

8 Replies

  • bluwtr49's avatar
    bluwtr49
    Explorer II
    May 15, 2015
    thcguy12 wrote:
    Yeah I thought it was crazy too but I looked under front and there are none. Just some on the back bumper.

    We have a Thor Industries - 1996 - Prism - New Millenium travel trailer.


    OK, that explains my confusion....you are are posting in the Class A motorhome forum in stead of the travel trailer one.
  • thcguy12's avatar
    thcguy12
    Explorer
    May 15, 2015
    Yeah I thought it was crazy too but I looked under front and there are none. Just some on the back bumper.

    We have a Thor Industries - 1996 - Prism - New Millenium travel trailer.
  • bluwtr49's avatar
    bluwtr49
    Explorer II
    May 15, 2015
    thcguy12 wrote:
    So I went up last night and raised the rv and set it on some coolers and wood blocks.

    I banged the jack portion (the metal pole that goes to ground) with a hammer til it was straight again (very close to straight). Added larger wider pieces of wood stacked higher and lowered it back down. Seems to be pretty sturdy and MUCH straighter than before.

    I wish it had front stabilizer jacks - it only has back ones.

    Now my next issue - being completely level. It's level front to back. But side to side it's a little lower on one side. You barely notice but you can tell one corner is a little lower. I don't have any way to fix this though - I can't move the camper again to put wood or blocks under tires because I can't my car back in there to hook up. This is more of a comfort issue than any safety issue right?


    Just curious what kind of MH do you have with leveling jacks only on the rear. I've found this thread a little confusing but might just be a senior thing.
  • thcguy12's avatar
    thcguy12
    Explorer
    May 15, 2015
    So I went up last night and raised the rv and set it on some coolers and wood blocks.

    I banged the jack portion (the metal pole that goes to ground) with a hammer til it was straight again (very close to straight). Added larger wider pieces of wood stacked higher and lowered it back down. Seems to be pretty sturdy and MUCH straighter than before.

    I wish it had front stabilizer jacks - it only has back ones.

    Now my next issue - being completely level. It's level front to back. But side to side it's a little lower on one side. You barely notice but you can tell one corner is a little lower. I don't have any way to fix this though - I can't move the camper again to put wood or blocks under tires because I can't my car back in there to hook up. This is more of a comfort issue than any safety issue right?
  • cbr46's avatar
    cbr46
    Explorer
    May 15, 2015
    OutdoorPhotographer wrote:
    I have never used grease on a ball because I don't want the mess. It's an option but not necessary.
    I cover that greasy ball with an upside down yogurt cup. A magnet hot glued to the bottom (now top) keeps the cup on the ball. Keeps ball greased, keeps pants clean.

    Best,
    - bob
  • OutdoorPhotogra's avatar
    OutdoorPhotogra
    Explorer
    May 14, 2015
    I have never used grease on a ball because I don't want the mess. It's an option but not necessary.

    The hitch will stick on the ball occassionally. Just lower it to take the pressure off. Cycle the latch and try again. If that doesn't work, like posted above. Without pressure on hitch, take parking break off and see if TV will move an inch or so. Don't drive with jack down at all. And maybe this goes without saying, but don't stick your fingers under there to try to release the latch even if it looks like there is no pressure on it.

    Last question you had, always undo the latch with no pressure. on it. have the tongue weight on the TV, not the trailer. Release the latch. Raise the tongue.

    Photos would help to diagnose your exact situation.
  • cbr46's avatar
    cbr46
    Explorer
    May 14, 2015
    Can you lower the tongue onto some wooden blocks / jack stands then start working on the jack? Make sure those blocks / stands are STABLE. Like locked in place stable.

    Good luck,
    - bob
  • diazr2's avatar
    diazr2
    Explorer
    May 14, 2015
    Well some times they stick and some times they are bound up. When they are bound up lift with your jack you should see the hitch relax. If it does not relax drop it till it relaxes. If it is stuck you will still see it relax. then bang it with a hammer and it should let go. You should never have to move the truck while the jack is down. Well not very much at least. When you see it relax get into your truck release the hand brake or take it out of park and let the truck settle. that should be all there is to that. If you need to gorilla it something is wrong. OH keep lots of grease on the ball all the time.

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