Happijac Jack Problems

I did not find my Happijac's to be touchy on weight distribution.

We used the jacks a lot. Probably a good 100 cycles a year. For the most part the camper was stored outside. Some moisture would get into the gear boxes and extending arms. We had a problem with one jack then it was maintenance time

Maintenance was absolutely necessary every few of years.

Your very welcome. Also check to make sure that the little plastic inserts (guides) at the inside of the outer tube at the base are in place. These help the inner tube slide easier, pretty much a no brainer. If they were not there you would probably see the inner tube getting the paint scrapped off. I also used to put a layer of spray on silicon on those inner tubes oh every month or so when they are at full extension. It keeps them slick against those little plastic guides. At least it makes me feel like it does...LOL! Mine used to bind even though the jack screw looked in good shape, but once I re-lubed it, it worked fine. Good luck Doug, let us know what you find.

I would like to send a huge thank you to d3500ram for sending us the pdf file for the happijac maintenance and to KKELER14K for the Outstanding write up on Happijac maintenance. I am firm believer in proper lubrication. Since I have not seen the inside of these jacks, I will feel much better once I have taken them apart and understand what is going on inside and knowing that they are properly maintained.
On the other hand, if these jacks are that temperamental in regards to being perfectly level, I would have to say they may be inferior to others on the market.
Our previous camper was an S&S 8' short bed model with 20 year old Attwood electric jacks. never once did they bind up and never once did I have to use the hand crank on them and never once did I do any maintenance of any kind on them.. The first time I used the Happijacs
(that show no signs of corrosion on the outside) I had binding problems, and I did have the camper level as I always did with the S&S.
That being said, It is a big pile of cash to switch brands , so I want to make all efforts to make these Happijacs work.

Thanks again to all of the great advice, and wish us luck please. This is a very valuable forum.

Doug

Spray lots of WD 40 into where the hand crank goes they rust in there and it makes them bind as it turns. It happened to me years ago on a citation camper I bought.

I'm with colddavit? They are really sensitive with binding due to unbalanced loading. The Torrington bearings that take the vertical load are really pretty light duty.

Lubricate away guys, but if it ain’t straight it will bind.

thanks for all the suggestions.
d3500ram - I would love to get a copy of that PDF for lubing the jacks.
I sent you a PM.

Thanks

Oiling the socket does not lubricate the jack. That is not how it works lubricating the actual jack screw. Oiling the socket only lubes the socket. You need to look at my Happijac lubrication link...d3500ram already has it there one post up...you will see what to do and how to really maintenance these jacks. You need to use chrome to view it.

Do you know if the Jack's have been lubricated recently? Happijac has info on their website about lubrication using 3in1 oil in each jack. Then run the jacks up and down to distribute the oil. There is a small hole in the socket where you place the manual jack cranks that you are supposed to put the oil. I do know if the camper is coming g down unevenly it can bind the jacks. Also if you take the motor cover off you can grease the gears with white lithium grease.

Not sure exactly what your jacks problems are, but I had one that was severely binding. I had always meant to do the lubrication maintenance but put it off. It got so bad that I really had to do some work to it. I documented it towards the end of the thread linked below

There was this great write up by member KKELLER14K some time ago of which I copied and printed for my use when I would get around to the maintenance. See article here: Happijac lubrication

Unfortunately the photo images were lost because of that photovucket snafu. I have a copy in PDF format if you want me to send to to you... perhaps it is just the normal maintenance that need to be performed.

And... to anyone else that would like a copy of the PDF of the procedure, please PM me and I will forward it out.