Forum Discussion

Shadow_Hunter's avatar
Aug 28, 2013

Camper jacks....Electric or Manual???

Well it has finally come time to purchase a new camper. While picking my optional equipment, I've noticed the option to get electric jacks from the factory is quite expensive. So, I am wondering what you guys think about manual jacks? What is your preference and why? Any pros or cons with one method or the other?

27 Replies

  • Do you like circle work? Get a crank handle and go around each leg and crank each one 10-12 times, until you camper to the height of your tuck bed to load, you will go around about 9-12 times
    For each leg to raise camper 29-31 inches, drive you truck underneath, then go around again leg by leg, 10-12 cranks x 9-12 times each leg, to lower back down on your pickup. . Takes 30-45 minutes.
    Or you get electric legs, 12-15 minutes for the whole thing.

    In Conclusion, GO. ELECTRIC. . . . . .
  • 3 hydraulic
    1 electric

    If you like to go cheap, and batteries and cords are not your friend, stay with hydraulic. They provide very well.

    If you can afford a bit more, and you like convenience over cost, electric is the best. It cuts the time to one quarter of hydraulic in most cases.
  • electric...Electric..ELECTRIC!!

    I'm tired of my hydraulic jacks. They have some advantages, but I'm done with them.
  • I jack by hand every time. Takes a while, but what else is there to do when you're semi retired.Some guys go to the gym.
  • No way no how would I want to walk around my tc doing a few cranks at a time even with an electric drill vs pushing one button and having the electric motors quickly do all the work. It would be a total non starter with my wife too.
  • It is certainly worth having electric jacks. The question is, is their financial benefit to having them installed aftermarket. Also, you could consider the stablelift.