Jack Failure Disaster

[DanLevitan]

I had a terrible experience yesterday when I tried to unload my camper which resulted in my camper falling over on its side in my front yard. It happened so fast I'm not exactly sure where it went wrong. I'm new to truck camper loading and unloading and have only done it three times before so my experience level is likely a contributing factor but hope to get input so I can never have another jack disaster.

Shortly after I drove my truck out from under my camper and began lowering it things start going literally sideways. I have manual crank corner mounted jacks and use my cordless to lower in about two inch increments rotating to each jack. I think I was on my second rotation around the camper when I noticed the camper was twisting on the jacks. When the right rear foot was behind the camper rather than beside it I new things were different than my previous attempts. I was able to kick the foot back towards the side but that only amplified the twist on the other jacks. I went back to the previous jack and went up some thinking I could undo whatever influence I was causing but I saw the mount beginning to peel off the camper. At this point I knew it was a lost cause and had to bail out as the jacks on the other side folded under and the camper dropped. It took a visit from a recovery company to upright it to it's current legless resting spot in my front lawn. Thank goodness I don't have an HOA because it's not going anywhere fast. The damage was actually less than expected but still several weekends worth. I have spent the last year and a half going through this camper from top to bottom including removing most of the skin and replacing lots and lots of rotten wood. It made my heart ache to see it on the ground.

A little background. This camper originally used three wing mounted tripod jacks to do the heavy lifting. Some models had a fancy Safe-T-Jack system but this one didn't. Only two of the original rusty jacks and one mounting bracket remained when I took possession. The others had rotted away and were lost. During the rebuild of structure I decided to beef up the corners to accommodate four Reico Titan manual corner jacks. I remember being reluctant when the new jack mounts came with wood screws but I decided to trust the process and that's what I used. No though bolts. Possibly corners mounts were not as strong as they should have been.

Other possible factors. Last week I upgraded the water tank from a 10 gallon to a 27 gallon. I had filled it up for a leak check. I didn't think to empty the tank prior to unloading the camper so it weighed a good 230 pounds heavier than prior attempts. I haven't yet weighed this camper but I guess its 3000ish.

The hard pack ground where I was unloading the camper was nearly level, but not exactly level. It was not windy.

Maybe this was a combination of factors but I'm reaching out so I can try and learn as much as possible for next time.

[Grit_dog]

Well kudos for sticking it out and fixing it… again.
I presume you don’t plan on loading/unloading this thing very often?
Seems like way too much stress (mentally and maybe physically to the old camper) to take it on n off the truck a bunch of times.

[PastorCharlie]

House movers use a three-point lifting system. More stable.

[joerg68]

I wish you best of luck and many happy travels now that you have it all sorted out! A beautiful camper, and I am sure it will look great when painted!

[DanLevitan]

I'm happy to report the new jacking setup worked great and I got my camper loaded back up safe and sound. I feel much smarter about the procedure and really appreciate all the help everyone provided. I will be delivering my camper to my painter Saturday and will post pictures when I get it back.

[DanLevitan]

mkirsch, My camper originally had 3 wing mounted jacks but when I got it 2 of the 3 had rotted off. During the rebuild I switch to 4 corner jacks but hind sight being 20/20 I realize I didn't sufficiently beef up the corners enough to safety use the corner jacks. Now that the interior is back together I was hesitant to undertake the proper corner improvements to keep using the corner jacks. Just too much to take back apart for access. I also never liked when I used the 4 jacks how one was always unseated. Switching back to 3 jacks was an easier choice as all the work was on the outside and was pretty easy. If I had the money I would love a Stable-lift but they are just way too expensive.

[DanLevitan]

Thanks for the jacking advice. I played around with the jacks a bunch this morning. I really like having three feet that stay seated. I got it level and installed a couple level gauges on the corner. I had always "eyeballed" it before and now I see that was a big mistake. I started out raising it 1/2" at a time, then 1" which is 5 turns for me. Those little levels are very sensitive. I now realize I was going way too much at a time before. I may stick to the hand crank for a while till I feel more comfortable.

I took the opportunity before I load it to confirm my CG. I balanced the camper on a beam until I found it's happy place. It turns out my CG was only 1 1/4" aft of the original middle jack point. I'm happy because I thought I might have to move my A/C from the rear to a more centered spot, but now I think it's okay as is.

I got the camper high enough to repair the spot where my black/gray tank T-handle brackets smashed through the LP compartment when it fell. I ended up using a bottle jack to undent the metal LP box and put it all back together as the rain started.

Today I also got a good look at the plumbing that got crushed. Looks like I have to replace everything on the outlet side of the black and gray tank shutoff valves down. It sucked the first time, so I'm not looking forward to the sequel. Fortunately I can make those repairs on the truck.

Tomorrow should be a good day to load her back on the truck. I'm still not excited about taking it to load height, but the more I use the jacks the more comfortable I get. Thanks again for all the feedback.

[RickW]

The "rule" I learned is to keep the front level or higher than the rear, and don't raise (or lower) any one jack more than 4 inches at a time.

A corollary is don't unload on a downward sloping driveway or you may see a TC that tries to walk.

Two inches at a time works for me.

[Grit_dog]

OP, why are you concerned about having the front higher? The more level you can keep it, the less chance of another failure.
And no it wouldn’t be for water runoff, especially with a barrel shaped roof.

[mkirsch]

4" higher in the front, as in, for storage? I would think that's primarily for rain runoff than anything else. 4" seems like a lot in any case.

"Jack deflection" was the final catalyst that caused your jack failure. You should not have any appreciable jack deflection. If the jack is deflecting you need a flatter more stable surface or you need to jack the camper up more evenly.

Why did you only go with 3 jacks, if you were going to add structure anyway?

[notsobigjoe]

From what I remember with my dads 1966 Beeline truck camper. He would lift it slightly off the truck, level it and pull the truck out. I remember him turning those winder jacks 7 turns each and he didn't stop until it was on the wood he used to support it. He gave that camper to me and I have tons of polaroid's but I did it the same way he did on my old F150 3/4 ton. I can't remember but maybe about 2 inches with 7 turns. Too much time has passed. I also remember it was very flexible and stable. I'm glad your project turned out great. Good camping to you....
Joe

[DanLevitan]

I finally have all three jacks reinstalled. They are mounted under the wing now instead of the four jacks I previously had on the corners. The mounts I built are heavy duty and run the entire width of each wing. Additionally I added 3/4" plywood the full length of each wing to provide added support. I moved the jack points rearward about 5" to account for a calculated shift in the CG since the A/C and gray tank were not OEM installed. I jacked it up a few inches tonight and it was still creepy although I'm probably a little gun shy after recent events. There was creaking I never noticed with the corner jacks. It did seem the right rear jack was already deflecting forward even with the little bit I raised it. I hammered the foot back straight before lowering it back on the pallets.

I have a question for anyone with experience with truck campers with ONLY 3 jacks. Is the procedure different than with 4? Do I still need to keep the front 4" higher than the rear? Seems level is better for 3 legs. How do you handle jack deflection? My aircraft jacking experience makes me want to hit the foot back straight when I notice it.

Here it is standing on it's own 3 feet. I hope to have it back in my truck this weekend.

[Seminoe_Joe]

The inside of that camper is spectacular! Full of character and gorgeous detail. So glad it’s survived it’s ordeal intact!

[DanLevitan]

That would be great! Yes the wing board was a pain to remove. When I fixed mine I removed the right side completely. The left wasn't as rotted and I spliced in just the outer half.

[Dave_Pete]

Oh that's fantastic Dan. When I get back on my other computer I'll zip up those other chapters so you'll have a pictorial reference to the text.

The one file I sent (Jacks and Tie-downs Chapter) has the details of the grid you mention. Early pictures in the chapter are hard to see it plain, because of the under spray coating on it. Late photos in the chapter show real good detail.

I was mistaken before. The grids aren't integral (and hard to remove), I meant the 2x2's method of fastening to the wing board and the camper box board (that right angle) was a major assembly with staples - hard to separate cleanly. Just saying - the grids come in and out easy.