Forum Discussion

balloonpilot's avatar
balloonpilot
Explorer
Jan 16, 2014

Power tongue jack

I am a newbie to the TT life but have already decided that a power tongue jack is a necessary item.

Looking for your opinions on size and manufacturer on some to help make and informed purchase.
  • We bought the TT an Atwood 3500lb model for Christmas. Didn't know what I was missing... great purchase. Got it from Amazon...
  • Take a look on ebay. Both the one for our HTT and our new TT came from there. The HTT got a refurb and the TT brand new. Believe they're both Ultra/Ultra Fab 3500. Both have been excellent and no problems other than DH - the jack is not part of his job description - pushed the lever the wrong way and blew the above mentioned fuse. Ya' think we had any??? Of course not. Always, always carry extra fuses for everything. Price? Seems like the first one was right at $100 and that was about 6 years ago. The one we bought this spring was about $130. Check for shipping charges...both of ours included shipping at no extra charge.
  • One important thing to remember - when running the jack in one direction, allow it to come to a complete stop before reversing to the other direction. Otherwise you'll blow fuses EVERY time.
  • I have a few years on a re-ferb ultra fab 3000 with no problems.
    ultra fab had some issues with bad grounding some years ago they relied on the mounting bolts for the ground.
    when I got my re-ferb it had a direct ground wire to the battery, problem solved.
  • 3000 or 3500 lb. Barker or Atwood. Can't go wrong with either. Install it yourself - easy as changing a light bulb.
  • 3000+ pound rating minimum. If you use a tongue jack to ease in WHD bar attachment, you end up raising the rear of the tow vehicle too. That's why 3000+ pounds and not 1000 of just the trailer tongue.

    Most are 18" extension. I use a block under the tongue so 18" is fine with me. Barker makes a 24" version. If you want a Barker, get the 24".

    I love my refurbished Ultrafab 3502. Under $100 shipped 3 summers ago.
  • A lot depends on the weight, tongue of the tt. Most are good with the 3000lbs jacks.