Protecting Jacks

[kohldad]

I like to explore the back roads which could pose hazard to the rear jacks as you work through a ditch or make a tight turn around with high bank behind you.

In it's original location, it hangs below the rear bumper slightly. In rough terrain, definitely could get in harms way.



Didn't want to leave the jacks at home just in case I needed to unload the camper for service work while on the road. Also didn't like the idea of having them taking up precious room in the back seat.

Figured out why not just raise them up out of harms way. While I was at the hardware store, had an idea.

For $1.68 each, I purchased two 1-1/2" Pipe Hangers. After making slight adjustment to the size, I cut to length and enlarged the hole to accommodate the jack bolt.



Unbolt the jack and reinstall with the bottom jack bolt in the top bracket hole. Then use the pipe hanger in the lower bracket hole.



Result is it raises the jack 11" which puts the bottom of the jack above the rear bumper. Doubt I'll be any place that it will hit now.

[Putney]

I realize that I have another issue: when traveling down 4x4 roads, I will be getting my vehicle, camper and everything attached full of mud during wet weather. Or full of dust during dry weather.

Does anybody know how much havoc this will cause with electric (or manual jacks)? And how you protect against this problem?

[Putney]

Thanks for comments. I soon will be buying a TC with electric jacks. And I do a lot of backtrail driving, during which the jacks would hit the road and break them. (Bad vehicle rear departure angle, I think it's called.)

So I will need to raise the jacks out of the way, also. Great thoughts on how to do this. I perhaps can have the wires made extra long when the jacks are installed on my TC.

[stuckinthesand]

Putney wrote:
Good idea. I assume that these are non-electric jacks.
In other words, for electric jacks, the wiring may not allow raising the jacks.
Any suggestions or comments?

Simply unplug the jack, you have to lower it back down to use it anyway so pluging it back in should pose no problem.

[kohldad]

These are manual jacks, but I plan to do the same to the next camper which will have electric jacks. It will become even more important than since it will be a 9-6 or 10' camper.

I will just solder in an extension between the jack and connector or make a complete new pig tail. Depends on how the wires are connected into the jack. Either way, would only take about an hour to make the mod.

[Putney]

Good idea. I assume that these are non-electric jacks.
In other words, for electric jacks, the wiring may not allow raising the jacks.
Any suggestions or comments?

[69_Avion]

That is a great idea. I have seen them hit before since they are so low.

[More2Explore]

Great idea! May have to see if that will work for my set- up too. Thanks for the post.

[Dennis_JoAnn]

Man that's a good idea. I have had exactly the problem you describe. I Think I'll look at a similar fix. Thanks!

Dennis