Electric Tongue Jack

So I bought a Husky Brute 4500 electric jack. The directions say I need a bottom plate on my trailer tongue. I have one but it is 7 inches below the top plate. The jack tubes sleeve is only 6 inches long so it is not long enough to penetrate the bottom plate. Is this a problem? Thanks.

We have an Ultra-Fab 3002 model (3000 lbs IIRC). Came new with the trailer. Lives out in the FL weather, and is still working fine.

However, I did once shear the pin on the drive gear. Unfortunately, there's no limit switch with this model. When the jack reaches the travel limit, it can shear a pin.

The fix is quick and easy, but the pin had to be ordered online.

You mentioned yours isn't working, but didn't specify what the issue was. $10 fixed mine, and I've used it for several years since.

http://www.ultra-fab.com/showparts.cfm?exid=91&pnum=38-751025

bmet2000 wrote:
3500 because are also lifting the rear of your tow vehicle. And I like Barker because of the great customer service and I believe they are still made in the USA.

Why yes, yes they are. Right here in Michigan. Battle Creek to be exact.

Last summer was my first year with my Barker. Seems louder than other tongue jacks I've heard in various campgrounds. Good friend just installed one on his TT. I'll be curious to see how his sounds. We're heading out in 2 weeks for our annual spring shake down trip.

With the rig you described I imagine you are running a weight distribution hitch. Mine is particularly difficult to hook up because of an angled driveway, I practically have to lift the rear off the ground. Moral of the story, get one that can that can handle the load, it makes the hitching process MUCH easier.

I bought a Barker VIP 2 years ago. I only had it a year because I traded in for a new trailer that came with a Stromberg Carlson, which pales in comparison.

I know I will catch flak for this but I don't believe you can get better than a Barker VIP Deluxe, especially when you factor in their service. Prices vary wildly for the same item so be sure to shop around.

In terms of size I would get a 3500 LB model but be sure to check the size of the post hole where your manual jack was because that will determine what size jack you can put in. On that size trailer it should be 2 1/4". If it's 2" you are limited to a 3000 LB model unless you can enlarge the hole.

Campin LI wrote:
...what size electric jack should I be looking for. What brand as well.

Although a 3500 lb rated tongue jack is sufficient for most applications in another recent tongue jack forum discussion one poster mentioned the new Husky Brute w/Remote Control ... kinda like the idea of a remote actually! :B

I have an LSI Electric Jack on my just purchased 2011 trailer. After only 2 1/2 cycles the jack ffailed. We're now touring and I thought to find a replacement upon our return home, but on 4/11 I decided to research and came upon RV.NET. I was checking for a rust condition but could not remove it because the hot wire was routed poorly. I began undoing the wire fasteners and happened to have the power on. NOTE: Ocassionally the motor would begin to work but immediately shut off and so would the 3 LED lights. The LED's would lite again but as soon s I tried ext/ret...off. When moving the wire I noticed the light flicker.......AH Ha a short or break...and there it was at the inline fuse, the wire was very light red to white instead of the dark red of the wire. The inline fuse connection was bad. For a test and quick fix I connected the two wires and "ALL IS WORKING LIKE NEW." Tomorrow a new fuse link. Good travels campers...

You might want to keep the power head covered after the install. They aren't very waterproof.

Blue Hill wrote:
I have the Husky Brute 3000# model and for my needs it works awesome. You have way more tounge weight than I do, so I'd recommend the Husky 4500# model. I bought mine at Costco online and they have a great return policy if anything should go wrong. Here's a link to a video review that I did of mine, showing a unique (and I like to think a little better) way of installation as far as the electric part goes.
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Thanks!

Thank you for info and recommendations.

I've been abusing my 3000# Barker for more than ten years. Sometimes I almost have to lift the back of my Dodge to ge tit loose and I've never done any of the recommended maint. to it. It just keeps coming back for more!
If it died tomorrow I would buy another Barker.