Forum Discussion

JimK-NY's avatar
JimK-NY
Explorer II
May 06, 2017

Happijac motor problems

My camper is over 10 years old. Three of the original motors still work. In 2012, I broke one of the motor assemblies. The jack was fine but I cracked open the motor assembly gearbox cover. I had a dealer replace the motor assembly. It lasted a couple of years and I had to replace it. It was blowing the fuse. I caulked all the seams on all 4 units. The assembly I replaced worked for another year or so and the same thing happened again. I had the part for a year and finally got around to replacing it today. I opened up the broken part and it is obvious the damage was due to water.

Is anyone else having this issue? I spread more layers of caulk and am about ready to put plastic bags on the motors. In fact I will do that for storage.
Truck Campers
  • Artum_Snowbird's avatar
    Artum_Snowbird
    Explorer
    May 06, 2017
    Can you try some soda bottles over the motors maybe, with rubber bands to hold them in place.

    I guess we also have to think that the dealers do work to last out the warranty, so they might get to do it again. The owner, on the other hand, might try a lot harder and take more time to make it last.

    My happijac motors were trouble free, and I did take the bottom off and re-grease the entire assembly on each leg.
  • JimK-NY's avatar
    JimK-NY
    Explorer II
    May 07, 2017
    It is not an installation issue by the dealer or by me. The motor assembly is easily installed and supposedly is sealed.
  • work2much's avatar
    work2much
    Explorer
    May 07, 2017
    All my original motors still work but I did have the inner leg fall out while the camper was parked in a campground. The long threaded bolt had apparently been cracking. Amazingly it fell out when I wasn't driving with only the small jarring of the dually bracket being folded open to get access to the back door. Imagine had it dropped on the highway at 60 mph?!?

    I do have one motor getting louder and I do have a replacement motor I carry with us while we travel to replace it when it dies.
  • 54suds's avatar
    54suds
    Explorer
    May 07, 2017
    I have several extra you can have 1 if you can pick up
  • JimK-NY's avatar
    JimK-NY
    Explorer II
    May 07, 2017
    Thanks for the generous offer. At this point, I do not need another motor. I am just trying to avoid replacing the motor every couple of years. I suspect something has changed with Happijac. My old motors seem fine but the newer ones don't seem to last.
  • DWeikert's avatar
    DWeikert
    Explorer II
    May 07, 2017
    My Northstar is 7 years old and I've had to send motors back 4 times due to seizing supposedly because of water intrusion. One went back a second time about a year after its first repair. HJ recommended wrapping a plastic bag around the motor head while not in use. Those motor heads apparently aren't sealed very well.

    Supposedly HJ sent their manufacturing to China a few years ago and the newer motors are even worse.

    One member here was able to put a wrench on the motor head and break the bearing seizure by hand. I haven't had any seizures since reading that to give that a try. (knock wood)
  • JimK-NY's avatar
    JimK-NY
    Explorer II
    May 07, 2017
    You would think they would quickly realize they have a problem and would make an adjustment to seal the units.
  • 54suds's avatar
    54suds
    Explorer
    May 07, 2017
    you do realize your talking about" crappi jack " a company that has the worst record of all of the RV industries for lack of quality products and lack of support
    that's saying!!!!!! something when you realize the Rv' s industries over all horrible record of Qc and after sale support
  • hedge's avatar
    hedge
    Explorer
    May 07, 2017
    I've heard of this issue so I put electrical box moisture barrier covers over mine, it may not look that great but haven't had any problems with the jacks. They triple gang fit well with just a zip tie on them they last a couple years.

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