Just got back from our latest trip. The jack was fine hooking up and setting up on site, but yesterday when we got ready to leave, the jack didn't want to go up. Going down was no problem but moving it up was very slow. And the motor sounded like the it was working hard. I figured it was an electrical problem. The jack is hooked directly off the battery, so if the battery isn't charged, it will not work. The leads on the battery were a bit corroded so I brushed them the best I could. Hooked up the brake cable to my tow vehicle to see if I could get a few more amps. I got very few more but I did get it up on the hitch. I accounted this for dirty leads not letting the battery charge.When I got home, I plugged the trailer in, cleaned the leads and left the camper be connected to the vehicle for a while. I was able to get the hitch off of the vehicle, but not more than that. Well, the vehicle was off but I really couldn't enough lift to get the trailer leveled. Figured I'd let the battery charge overnight.This morning, before work, I tried it again. Same thing -- very little strength going up, fine going down. I tried the manual crank just to see and that was also difficult going up but easier going down. From a charging standpoint, the fridge is running which it taking some power but I still think the battery should be charged (or charging)The electric jack is an Atwood MPD 71119, which research shows is discontinued. Not surprising since I bought the trailer used 5 years ago with the jack already installed. It still seems like a power problem to me but I'm happy to hear any suggestions if anyone has any.

Sounds like your battery is toast. If the trailer is 5 years old, is the battery the original and also 5 years old?

IB853347201 wrote:Sounds like your battery is toast. If the trailer is 5 years old, is the battery the original and also 5 years old?Battery is not original but it is 5 years old. Got it when I bought the trailer.

I would suspect the battery as the issue. The jack pulls amps to work especially when lifting the trailer. The onboard 12 volt converter when on shore power often does not put out what's required and the battery reserve capacity fills the gap. Have you recently checked the water level in the battery? do you have a load tester to check the battery's condition?

Can you block the tongue up so you can run the jack up and down? If the jack still has issues going up then the problem is with the jack and not your battery. When was the last time the jack was cleaned and greased?

Single battery.. MARINE/deep cycle. 5-10 years is common so Id have it tested.Consider if you have the room switching from a single 12 volt to a pair of Six Volt CG batteries. this will require replacing the battery box. The "Footprint" on the GC-2's is about the same as your 24 but the height is bigger.Or if you can find one a GC-12.. bigger foot print. do not know about the heightEitehr way you will need a new battery box. (GC-12 is 12 volt. GC-2 you need two in series to get 12 volt). They are DEEP CYCLE and generally last longer. 7-10 years.

Electric Tongue Jack goes down, but not up | Good Sam Community

bullyus
Explorer
Aug 01, 2018
I had the same problem and it was the switch...This is very common.... Bullyus
mikehoss
Explorer
Aug 01, 2018
I did 1995brave's test -- blocked up the tongue and was able to get the jack off the ground. Up and down was no problem in the air, but when the jack hit the ground, same-old-same-old. So today I'm going to get a new battery.

Thanks everyone!
BarabooBob
Explorer III
Jul 31, 2018
The switch may also be faulty.
1995brave
Nomad
Jul 31, 2018
Don't know what grease to use, check with manufacturer for proper grease. Mine were all manual and I used wheel bearing grease for them.
mikehoss
Explorer
Jul 31, 2018
IB853347201 wrote:
I would suspect the battery as the issue. The jack pulls amps to work especially when lifting the trailer. The onboard 12 volt converter when on shore power often does not put out what's required and the battery reserve capacity fills the gap. Have you recently checked the water level in the battery? do you have a load tester to check the battery's condition?

My battery charger has a load tester on it. I'll try that. But it was good at the beginning of the season with low use. But, yeah, we are at the beginning of the end of it's life. I like 1995brave's test as well... I may try that first. My indication that it's the jack is that it's really hard to turn up (but my muscles may have the same problem that the motor on the jack does -- takes more power to move up).
mikehoss
Explorer
Jul 31, 2018
1995brave wrote:
Can you block the tongue up so you can run the jack up and down? If the jack still has issues going up then the problem is with the jack and not your battery. When was the last time the jack was cleaned and greased?

That's a good test. I've never greased it (never thought about it) Can I grease it with Li Grease or do you have another recommendation?
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jul 31, 2018
Single battery.. MARINE/deep cycle. 5-10 years is common so Id have it tested.

Consider if you have the room switching from a single 12 volt to a pair of Six Volt CG batteries. this will require replacing the battery box. The "Footprint" on the GC-2's is about the same as your 24 but the height is bigger.

Or if you can find one a GC-12.. bigger foot print. do not know about the height

Eitehr way you will need a new battery box. (GC-12 is 12 volt. GC-2 you need two in series to get 12 volt). They are DEEP CYCLE and generally last longer. 7-10 years.
1995brave
Nomad
Jul 31, 2018
Can you block the tongue up so you can run the jack up and down? If the jack still has issues going up then the problem is with the jack and not your battery. When was the last time the jack was cleaned and greased?
IB853347201
Nomad
Jul 31, 2018
I would suspect the battery as the issue. The jack pulls amps to work especially when lifting the trailer. The onboard 12 volt converter when on shore power often does not put out what's required and the battery reserve capacity fills the gap. Have you recently checked the water level in the battery? do you have a load tester to check the battery's condition?
mikehoss
Explorer
Jul 31, 2018
IB853347201 wrote:
Sounds like your battery is toast. If the trailer is 5 years old, is the battery the original and also 5 years old?

Battery is not original but it is 5 years old. Got it when I bought the trailer.