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MP_soldier's avatar
MP_soldier
Explorer
Apr 08, 2016

Electric jack manual crank

Are these things for real?
I've tried to use the manual crank on an electric tongue jack on two different trailers.

Each crank handle has bent while trying to crank the tongue up or down.

Last night I had to move my current camper, but I have the batteries stored inside.
No problem, use the manual emergency crank right??? Nope.

The crank would actually raise the tongue, but wouldn't lower it.
Weird right?
There is way more strain trying to lift the nose of the camper than lower it, yet I bent the stupid handle while trying to lower it.

I ended up schlepping the 2 six volts out of the basement and hooked them up just so I could move the trailer 30'.

If this jack goes out on me, I guess I'll be using the truck jack.

Rant over...

6 Replies

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  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Apr 08, 2016
    On some electric jacks I strongly suspect there is a braking system, This must be disengaged before using the manual crank (RTFM) this is common on slide outs and awnings and such.. One has to move a lever.

    on other jacks, due to the design of the jack no brake is needed, but one still needs to move a lever to disengage the motor before using the manual crank.

    This is what you likely have.
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Apr 08, 2016
    If your electric jack is hooked up right, you should be able to simply plug the trailer into the tow vehicle and the battery from the tow vehicle should power the jack.

    Or if wired directly to the battery, you can use a jumper cable and clamp to the jack wire and your tow vehicle battery and get power that way too.
  • beemerphile1's avatar
    beemerphile1
    Explorer
    Apr 08, 2016
    I had to crank mine once when a micro switch failed. It wasn't fun but the handle was plenty stout. My handle is made from either 3/8" or 1/2" rod, there is no way I could bend it by hand.
  • GordonThree's avatar
    GordonThree
    Explorer
    Apr 08, 2016
    Nock on wood, I've only had to manually crank my Barker one time when I stupidly blew the fuse and didn't have a replacement. Had no problems cranking it up, and then down again... the cranking was very easy, lots of gear reduction I guess, but also lots and lots of turns to get any movement.
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Apr 08, 2016
    It's never been a problem for me to manually crank any electric tongue jack I've owned. I recently bought an UltraFab 3502 to replace the LCI that came with our Freedom Express and while I still had it in my workshop I tried cranking it manually and it worked just fine.
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Apr 08, 2016
    MP soldier wrote:
    Are these things for real?
    I've tried to use the manual crank on an electric tongue jack on two different trailers.

    Each crank handle has bent while trying to crank the tongue up or down.

    Last night I had to move my current camper, but I have the batteries stored inside.
    No problem, use the manual emergency crank right??? Nope.

    The crank would actually raise the tongue, but wouldn't lower it.
    Weird right?
    There is way more strain trying to lift the nose of the camper than lower it, yet I bent the stupid handle while trying to lower it.

    I ended up schlepping the 2 six volts out of the basement and hooked them up just so I could move the trailer 30'.

    If this jack goes out on me, I guess I'll be using the truck jack.

    Rant over...
    What were the power jack brand(s)?

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