Forum Discussion

burningman's avatar
burningman
Explorer II
Jun 15, 2019

Electric Jacks

I’ve always read that Happijacs are junk.
One thing I wasn’t happy about on my new Northern Lite was its got ‘em.
It’s onjy been used a few times, it’s a 2017, and one has already failed.
A lot of people cursed with these things actually carry a spare jack motor head as part of their normal gear.
Rather than replace one after another and deal with them failing at inopportune times, I think I’ll cut my losses and replace them all with something else.

Is there a consensus on the reliability of Atwood vs Reico Titan? Or any other particular advantage to one over the other?

I’ll eventually put my Stable-Lift on it but it’s still being used on another camper.
  • There are no more new Atwood jacks. They were bought out by HJ.
    Your options are HJ or RT.
    It remains to be seen if the new HJ motors are more robust/reliable.
  • I have 2 TC with Atwood jacks and both systems are 18 yo.
    Can't say how PO used them, but they had to be abused since all front brackets were bent when I got them.
    I use the jacks tens of times when I am on my vacations and don't know (knock on the wood) what is jack problem. Even when I don't unload, I still lift the camper on jacks for stability.
    My Fleetwood camper was scaled at 5500lb at some time.
  • I have Reico Titans and one of mine sometimes does not want to work. A few manual cranks with a ratchet usually gets it to move but sometimes I have to play with it for a while. Camper it about ten years old and had this problem for a few years now. I don't have any experience with the other brands to compare.
  • I looked into swapping to the new style motors but they want $1200 for a set when for $1800 I could buy all new Reico Titan or Atwood jacks and be rid of the Crappijacs.
    I could probably sell them for the difference, making it an even trade.
    I just wonder if Reico Titan or Atwood or ?? makes the best ones to put on.
  • FWIW, NL started using the latest gen Happijac clutchless CCS motor/jack assembly in mid/late 2019.



  • burningman wrote:
    I’ve always read that Happijacs are junk.
    One thing I wasn’t happy about on my new Northern Lite was its got ‘em.
    It’s onjy been used a few times, it’s a 2017, and one has already failed.
    A lot of people cursed with these things actually carry a spare jack motor head as part of their normal gear.
    Rather than replace one after another and deal with them failing at inopportune times, I think I’ll cut my losses and replace them all with something else.

    Is there a consensus on the reliability of Atwood vs Reico Titan? Or any other particular advantage to one over the other?

    I’ll eventually put my Stable-Lift on it but it’s still being used on another camper.


    Just took my stable lift off today, you need parts?
  • I'm due to do more than just look at mine. Wasn't there a long thread with pics about doing maintenance?
    I'll search for it, but that oughta be a "sticky".
  • Had Happijacs for years and the only one I replaced was when it hit the ground and bent the tube. I kept the motor and replaced the tube. Once you follow the instructions to take them apart and lube them, and do all four, they will likely last many many years.