Forum Discussion

w8lpn's avatar
w8lpn
Explorer
Oct 26, 2017

electric jack or manual

Ok so back in July we were camping in Erie PA, and when I went to lower the jack on my trailer the handle just kept on spinning. So i couldn't get the trailer off of the truck. I opened up the top of the jack and the pin that goes through the handle was broke. I luckily had some steel wire and was able to make the repair and it is still holding up.

The trailer is older and I'm thinking of replacing the jack, because I'm afraid it will fail again. So this brings me to my question.
1) Is it worth the extra money for an electric jack?
2) Should I just go with manual jack because of the age of trailer and will most likely be selling in the next few years?

Thanks
  • deer30084's avatar
    deer30084
    Explorer
    Nov 02, 2017
    Gulfcoast wrote:
    I have a like-new manual jack you can have, simply pay the shipping cost. I bought an electric jack.
    Keep your manual jack! You never know when you might want to trade in or sell and then you can put the hand crank back on!
  • deer30084's avatar
    deer30084
    Explorer
    Nov 02, 2017
    Always have a hydaulic jack on hand. You'll be able to lift your trailer off your truck if your installed jack breaks and you'll be able to change a flat tire on the road. Just my 2 cents.
  • Atlee's avatar
    Atlee
    Explorer II
    Nov 01, 2017
    If you use the trailer a reasonable amount, then an electric jack is highly desirable, and for me, a must have.

    If your trailer is not long for your world, (you are going to get rid it pretty soon), if I were you, I'd just put a new manual jack. If you use it a lot and are going to keep it a couple of years, I'd put an electric jack on it.
  • w8lpn's avatar
    w8lpn
    Explorer
    Oct 31, 2017
    CavemanCharlie wrote:
    I am just a weekend camper. I have a manual jack. I figure it out once and I turn that handle around 1800 times a year. If it ever breaks I think I might get a electric one.

    That being said;; did you take the top of your manual jack apart ? There is a roll pin in there that can shear out. You may be able to fix your problem for $ 1.75

    (Not all of them are the same but, why not try to figure out what is wrong with yours before you spend any money at all ?? )


    Yea that is what i did. Its holding up but this trailer is heavy and Im thinking the electric jack would make it easier for the wife when im hitching up.
  • gclewis's avatar
    gclewis
    Explorer
    Oct 31, 2017
    Because the trailer is old, no need of spending too much on electric jack.
  • CavemanCharlie's avatar
    CavemanCharlie
    Explorer III
    Oct 31, 2017
    I am just a weekend camper. I have a manual jack. I figure it out once and I turn that handle around 1800 times a year. If it ever breaks I think I might get a electric one.

    That being said;; did you take the top of your manual jack apart ? There is a roll pin in there that can shear out. You may be able to fix your problem for $ 1.75

    (Not all of them are the same but, why not try to figure out what is wrong with yours before you spend any money at all ?? )
  • boosTT's avatar
    boosTT
    Explorer
    Oct 30, 2017
    My electric jack has a manual crank override. The only disadvantage of the electric jack is cost... but well worth it.
  • LVJJJ's avatar
    LVJJJ
    Explorer
    Oct 30, 2017
    Just bought a used Trail Cruiser that just happened to have an electric jack on it (haven't had one for years). Strangely, I don't like it cause it's so slow. Got the manual with the TT and am thinking of putting it back on.

    Didn't know you could remove the manual jack handle, I use my drill on the stabilizing jacks, so have to look into that.
  • beemerphile1's avatar
    beemerphile1
    Explorer
    Oct 30, 2017
    You will love the electric jack.

    Even on the pop-up I used to have, I removed the manual crank handle and added a socket for using my drill.

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