This is actually for my 72yr. old father.2010 RAM 1500 4th Gen 5.7 HemiCoachman Freedom Express 292BHDS - Freedom Express - Coachmen RV specsEqualizer WDHThe factory jack burned out after 1 season and was replaced with an Atwood jack which seemed a lot more powerful. But after 2 seasons, it too has burned out. I think the trouble is a result of trying to place the WDH bars on the 'mounts' by utilizing the jack to lift the coupled truck and trailer high enough to get the bars on. He is using the lever tool, but it's just downright impossible with the amount of sag to do it without the aid of the jack.Is this wrong?Looking at other jacks, his RV dealer is talking to him about a Husky or a Bulldog.Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Get the highest capacity one you can find. I would not worry about raising the assembly, just be careful your not trying to lift too much.

Is this the common method used for setting WDH bars in place?

Our 2500# Atwood has been lifting enough weight to do the hitch bars/chains with our bare hands for 6 years now. Good luck.

Thanks guys. I'm just looking at the Atwood site now. Not sure which of the four duty levels their jack is."Choose from Four Jacks Atwood Power Jacks lift, not merely support, the following weights:Lightweight ................. 1,500 lbs.Standard .................... 2,500 lbs.Deluxe ....................... 2,500 lbs.Heavy Duty ................ 3,500 lbs."I'll have to ask and perhaps just get him to step up to a higher rating.

Tongue Jack Help/Recommendations | Good Sam Community

Godspeed999
Explorer
May 30, 2013
Well l learned something interesting today. Apparently all of the Atwood jacks use the same motor, or at least the Standard, Deluxe and Heavy Duty do. The difference between the Standard and Deluxe, both rated for 2500# is simply the addition of a light on the Deluxe. The Heavy Duty, rated for 3500#, just has a different mechanism in the shaft (ball & screw). I expected it to be a higher capacity motor as well. Nope.

The motor is being replaced under warranty. Also discussing with the RV dealer about upgrading to a 4500# Husky jack.
Bonefish
Explorer
May 30, 2013
I have an Atwood and I have to put 3-1 oil down the shaft and grease the gears seasonally. I have only poped a fuse once.
dadmomh
Explorer
May 30, 2013
If you have not checked e-bay, suggest you do so and likely save a bunch of $. We bought an Ultra Fab 3500 for our HTT several years ago for just at $100. It was a factory refurb, but never had a minutes trouble with it. Just bought another 3500 for our new TT for about $120. This one is brand new and looks exactly like the Ultra Fab but can't remember the brand of this one. They have some others with higher capacity and they're a quick and easy job to install.

Always carry extra fuses....experience teaches.
Godspeed999
Explorer
May 30, 2013
bob213 wrote:
Bulldog has a 5 year warranty and is actually made by Fulton (Cenquint). With a 4000lb cap. it should lift tongue and TV rearend to install bars without a problem. Starting 6th year on mine without a problem. Try Mantelli's on the net before buying one from the dealer.

Whoa! Thanks. They're in the $700 range in Canada. Appear to me little over $200 from Mantelli's online. Unbelievable.
bob213
Explorer
May 29, 2013
Bulldog has a 5 year warranty and is actually made by Fulton (Cenquint). With a 4000lb cap. it should lift tongue and TV rearend to install bars without a problem. Starting 6th year on mine without a problem. Try Mantelli's on the net before buying one from the dealer.
Bill___Kate
Explorer
May 29, 2013
These jacks draw a lot of current - especially when starting, reversing direction, or reaching the end of their travel range. You can minimize fuse blowing by making sure your battery is well charged, making sure the connections to both the batter and the trailer frame are clean and tight, and using a "slow blow" type fuse or circuit breaker. Most installations are direct wired to the battery with an in line fuse - several different types of fuses are commonly used. If you have a doubt whether your fuse is "slow blow" or not, look the number up online, or take it to your automotive parts store to have them cross reference it .....
wannavolunteerF
Explorer
May 29, 2013
the jack on my last TT would blow a fuse if you raised or lowered it to limit and didn't get your finger off the button super quick. never sure why it did this, but after having to crank by hand, when I didn't have a fuse, I made sure to keep several fuses of the right size.
boosTT
Explorer
May 29, 2013
I do the same thing and I have blown a fuse on my barker 3500 vip. When you start to hear the jack struggle, stop lifting it.

2011 Ram 1500. 19' TT.
Godspeed999
Explorer
May 29, 2013
Thanks for all of the responses.

Seems like he's doing things correctly. Now just need to upgrade to a higher capacity jack.

Simple fix. Thanks again.
APT
Explorer
May 29, 2013
The method is correct, using the tongue jack to raise the tongue and rear of the TV enough to snap up the WD bars even by hand sometimes. I am pleased with my refurbished Ultrafab 3502 for under $100 shipped.