Best electric tongue jack?

[Herd_Fan]

Time to replace the old power jack....what's the preferred brand nowadays? I currently have a 3500, but from what I've read, the bigger the better, so I'm open to getting a 4500. Thanks for the help!

FYI, My trailer should never be above 7000 lbs loaded, so using the 15% rule, that would be 1050.

[Estorni]

Last September (2017) I bought a Riverside Retro 177SE and have taken it out a half-dozen times. Are these electric jacks easy to install?

[Mikesr]

nomadnewby wrote:

Mikesr wrote:
Barker 3500 with the 24 inch lift

How would I determine if I need the 24" lift or the 18" ?
Thanks

Measure your ball height from the ground. Your jack needs to have at least that extension to lift the coupler off the ball. I like 24 because no matter what the angle your at when hooked up you’ll have enough lift without blocking up the jack pad, which is risky if you stack blocks to high. It’s minimal expense extra for less worry when you need it.

[marcsbigfoot20b]

Hannibal wrote:
"Irrelevant - you're lifting the rear of the truck as well in order to mount the WD spring bars, ergo the reason power TJs are rated 2500 lbs and up. A 3500 lb jack would serve most users just fine. "


I've seen this before and I wonder why. I lower the coupler onto the ball until I can latch it. Then hook the chains up with the little cheater bar that came with the hitch. Then lower the tongue and raise the jack.

One more advantage of air bags.....
Let air out completely, backup truck till ball is in place, press the 2 air up buttons and ball goes in....keep going to 100 psi and you dont even need the cheater bar if you have decent hands.
Then let the air back out to your towing spec/preference.
Got the Barker 3500 myself, only had to bang on it a few times as it seems maybe the brushes arent making good contact on occasion.

[Ron3rd]

I have an Atwood, came with the trailer, seems to work fine, going on 5 years.

[nomadnewby]

Mikesr wrote:
Barker 3500 with the 24 inch lift

How would I determine if I need the 24" lift or the 18" ?
Thanks

[Hannibal]

Jackfate wrote:

Hannibal wrote:
"Irrelevant - you're lifting the rear of the truck as well in order to mount the WD spring bars, ergo the reason power TJs are rated 2500 lbs and up. A 3500 lb jack would serve most users just fine. "


I've seen this before and I wonder why. I lower the coupler onto the ball until I can latch it. Then hook the chains up with the little cheater bar that came with the hitch. Then lower the tongue and raise the jack.

People who have a equalizer type hitch must generally use the tounge jack to get their bars on. This is why I'm not that fond of the style. But in their defense they do tow well as sway control is built in.

Ah, I see. They must really be putting some tension on the bars. I may one day have a 4 point Equalizer just for the simplicity and effectiveness of design and no drilling installation. My truck needs very little lift so I might be able to get away with my current method. I was thinking of a manual jack if the OEM jack goes out but I see they're fairly cheap.

[Sandia_Man]

Another Barker 3500 owner on our 10th year of using our power tongue jack to lift our 3/4 ton HD truck and 10K# TT. Heavy tongue weight and truck bed full of firewood and other camping necessities, if it fails we would most definitely purchase another. Did have the lift/lower switch fail after 8 years, called Barker and had one delivered in a few days.

[Jackfate]

Hannibal wrote:
"Irrelevant - you're lifting the rear of the truck as well in order to mount the WD spring bars, ergo the reason power TJs are rated 2500 lbs and up. A 3500 lb jack would serve most users just fine. "


I've seen this before and I wonder why. I lower the coupler onto the ball until I can latch it. Then hook the chains up with the little cheater bar that came with the hitch. Then lower the tongue and raise the jack.

People who have a equalizer type hitch must generally use the tounge jack to get their bars on. This is why I'm not that fond of the style. But in their defense they do tow well as sway control is built in.

[DavidP]

Eight seasons on our Barker 3500. Great jack.

[Mikesr]

Herd Fan wrote:
Thanks for the replies. I ordered a Barker 3500... looking forward to being able to use it.

You're welcome and you'll like it

[DE88ROX]

Herd Fan wrote:
Thanks for the replies. I ordered a Barker 3500... looking forward to being able to use it.

Thats what I have too. If you ever have an issue with it, their customer service is amazing. Emphasis on "service". The couple times ive had to talk with them about my issue, they woman on the phone was quite salty.

**Issue was no juice going to the power head. removed it from the jack and sent it in and they fixed it. Had back with 2 weeks.

[Vintage465]

That was supposed to say: "If I was buying another jack, it wouldn't likely be the one I have".

[Vintage465]

My Creek Side came standard with an Atwood Electric Tongue Jack. From the first time I used it, it has sounded like it is on it's last leg, ready to explode. I have been using it for almost two years and it has not exploded. It I was buying another jack it wouldn't likely be the one i have. It just doesn't sound like a well engineered and put together piece of equipment.

[Herd_Fan]

Thanks for the replies. I ordered a Barker 3500... looking forward to being able to use it.

[ScottG]

I've had a 3000# Barker on our TT since about three weeks after we bought the trailer new.
I have never lubed it as described in its manual and I have abused the krap out of it lifting the back of my truck and forcing the ball to break loose.
If it died tomorrow I would buy another.
It has been flawless.