Forgive me, I'm not sure this is what they are called, but it the power thing on the trailer that makes it so you can hit a switch to raise and lower the trailer rather than cranking and cranking and cranking.Can you tell me are there specifi ones that go on specific trailers or are they pretty much all the same? My husband put one on our last trailer many years ago, and I want to make sure we order the right one.

There all pretty much universal. Easy way to tell is if it uses three bolts. I remember seeing some very old ones that used a different bolt pattern, but those were manual ones. I've never seen a power tongue jack that was different.

I'm sure someone will come along to make this very complicated but the reality is they are universal unless your trailer is decades old. Even then they were 90% the same.

Agree with the posts above, Atwood and Barker are two good brands and both have a big following. My new trailer came with an Atwood.Basically, you just hitch up your trailer on the ball, unbolt the old jack, install the new and hook up 2 wires. You can download the instructions for Barker and Atwood to review first.Like other said, you should the standard 3 bolt configuration which is all I've ever seen btw on travel trailers. One difference in the models offered by Atwood and Barker is if you go with the higher poundage rating, you get longer travel on the jack.

A little added info here. Get a 3500 unit as you will use the power tongue jack to also lift the back of the truck to install/remove the weight distribution bars. Ron

Power tongue jack? | Good Sam Community

30 Replies

Ron3rd
Explorer III
Mar 01, 2015
luvmydogs wrote:
Already have the trailer. its a 23 foot ultra light. There is about 100.00 difference from what I just found between the 3000 and 3500. Is 3000 and 3500 trailer weight, truck weight, tongue weight or what?

Just my opinion, but the 3000 model will be fine for your use. The 3500 can lift more weight, and has a longer travel.
pira114
Explorer II
Mar 01, 2015
The manual crank thing is a concern. I had this issue when my old one quit working. The crank handle hit the propane tanks. So a full turn was impossible. Wasn't THAT big of a deal, but still annoying.

The real solution is a crank handle that extends above the tanks. That, all by itself, eliminates all the hassles. I never even looked for a new handle. I simply cut, then welded on, an extension. Not handy that way? Any machine shop could do this for you for a nominal fee.

The only part of the Husky that gets in the way is the place they provide for the trailer plug to go. And only then if you have propane covers. But it comes off. Few screws. Weather sealed behind it. I moved mine to behind the propane covers. It really is a nice feature. Simple, but effective at keeping junk out of the plug.

Heck, I bet you could get one separately from Husky and use it with any power jack.
Huntindog
Explorer
Mar 01, 2015
This is a common question, and there are many threads on this. The common theme seems to be that the Barker owners are very attached to their jacks, almost all of them rave about the fantastic customer service. My take on that is that it can't be all that reliable if customer service is needed so much. That said, there are two basic designs. The front side mounted motor ie: Barker, Ultrafab, Husky, etc. And the top mounted motor ie: Atwood. Most of the front side mounted motors offer a built in level on the top, which at least on some of them doubles as the plug for the backup hand crank. The front side mounts have many drawbacks. On many TTs using the backup hand crank will require either removing the propane tanks, or turning the crank 1/2 turn, removing it, turning it 180 degrees, reinserting it and repeat this process. Very inconvenient. My concern here is not the need to use the handcrank due to a jack failure so much as a dead battery Due to the motor being mounted on the front side it almost always will result in interference with the tailgate. A common solution is to rotate the jack so that the motor is on the side. But then the hitch light points in the wrong direction. The front side mounts also have several penetrations (holes) in the housing for the switches and backup crank that is a common source of water intrusion into the motor. This is so common that many have posted here that Barker has supplied them with a free cover for the jack. This style of jack really needs to be covered, to eliminate the risk of water intrusion. Owners report that they can operate the jack without removing the cover by feeling the switch through it. But then the light is useless. Owners report that they don't use the light anyway. Probably because most of them have rotated the jack for tailgate clearance, so it points in the wrong direction. I would have a concern that the light switch would get turned on accidently and since it was under the cover go unnoticed and drain the battery. Then the hand crank would need to be used. See previous concern. If your TT has a front slide, then you may have to use a front side mounted motor as they are a little shorter and less likely to interfere with the slide. The top mounted motor, (Atwood) has no pentrations in the housing for water intrusion. So it doesn't need covering. The backup crank inserts in the front, so there is no propane tank interference. And the motor will not interfere with the tailgate. So the jack can point the light at the hitch where it is needed. The only complaints some have is they don't like the sound of the motor as much as some of the others. That's got to be a personal thing, as mine sounds like music everytime I press the button and it does it's work without me breaking a sweat. And I cannot attest to Atwoods customer service as in 16 years of use, I haven't needed any. I also haven't read about it here either. At any rate, look the features of both styles over closely and decide which one makes sense for you. Spend the money. Then enjoy it. I hope this helps.
Bigbird65
Explorer
Mar 01, 2015
I also have the Jack Quick HH-3500 from Amazon.com and it works great. I did have to rotate it approximately 120 degrees because the tail gate of my truck would hit the motor on the jack. Had to re-drill one base plate hole.
luvmydogs
Explorer
Mar 01, 2015
Thank you all so much, this all helps tremendously!!!!
coolbreeze01
Explorer
Mar 01, 2015
I've used this one for over a year. Just fine for the money.

3,500 Lbs. Electric Trailer Jack with Drop Leg
by RAM
17 customer reviews
| 13 answered questions
Price: $124.95 & FREE Shipping
ScottG
Nomad
Mar 01, 2015
The Barkers seem to be the longest lasting and their customer service is excellent.
I have used a 3000# on my TT with a 850# tongue weight since new. I have abused it by nearly lifting the back of my heavy truck and have never done any maint. on it but it has done a fantastic job.
If it died tomorrow I would buy another Barker.
Dakota98
Explorer
Mar 01, 2015
luvmydogs wrote:
any opinions on this one?

Jack Quick HH-3500-BLACK PLASTIC COVER 12-Volt Brute Power RV Electric Tongue and Trailer Jack - 3650 lb. Capacity

Yes, I have an opinion --- OUTSTANDING.

JACK QUICK

$126.71 Amazon "Prime"

Purchased mine last Spring, It has worked perfectly on my 22' TT. Easy installation & comes in your choice of Black or White. Note the customer reviews.

It makes hooking up the WDH very simple. An electric tongue jack is #1 on my list of DIY upgrades on any TT.

ON EDIT: I have two 30# propane tanks. The backside of the Quick Jack is flush against the tank cover, but the cover & tanks DO NOT interfere with the operation of the manual hand crank. In fact the hand crank is easier to use than the original tongue jack crank.
pira114
Explorer II
Mar 01, 2015
pira114 wrote:
Don't have experience with that one.

I went with the Husky Brute 4500. It's overkill for my needs, but I can take it with me if I switched trailers. Wasn't that much more money. Super quiet. Very quick. Auto shut off when you hit the extreme ends of motion. You can get one with a remote, but it's quite a bit more money

Husky Brute 4500

Camping world link with video
pira114
Explorer II
Mar 01, 2015
Don't have experience with that one.

I went with the Husky Brute 4500. It's overkill for my needs, but I can take it with me if I switched trailers. Wasn't that much more money. Super quiet. Very quick. Auto shut off when you hit the extreme ends of motion. You can get one with a remote, but it's quite a bit more money

Husky Brute 4500

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Power tongue jack?

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