RV Tip: How to install a Lippert Electric Tongue Jack

[@davva360]

My first and most important piece of advice. Be very careful removing the old jack. I just replaced one because the motor went bad with a new one and one of the three bolts sheared off. It turned a 15 minute job into a nightmare, finding a drill bit capable of drilling out the old bolt. Once I got it out it took minutes to switch as the wiring for mine was already there. I would recommend taking the weight off the tongue before you attempt to remove the bolts, liberal spraying of some kind of release agent, and gentle patience.

[@AllElectricFamily]

This is something we're looking at doing for our new trailer. We've been camping once and my husband is ready to get an electric jack!

[@TravelingMaritimers]

It's awesome! We're starting our 7th summer of RV'ing and using a manual jack. I feel spoiled now!

[@Scubaken2022]

Nice video, two tips you might find useful. The fuse can be replaced with a auto resettable fuse. Mine was always blowing when it rained while using it, or if I bottom it out. Other is just an observation on your wheel chocks. I don’t know if you have another set on the other side but if not you should place the chocks on the front and back side of the tire to prevent rolling. Even if you have a set on the other side it’s still good practice to do each side front side and back side..

[@TravelingMaritimers]

Great tips, thanks for your feedback. I'll definitely look into the resettable fuse. Regarding the chocks, I certainly agree with you. I did have chocks on the other side and the X-Chock keeps things locked in place pretty well.

[@cwqrpportable]

Nice video, thanks for sharing. Just for viewer's information..................... don't forget to use lock washers and tighten the bolts on the tongue jack to 15-20 lb/ft torque

[@TravelingMaritimers]

Great tip!

[@Budrick3Gaming]

Thanks for making this video! Gave me confidence!

[@TravelingMaritimers]

Glad we could help!

[@craigwyville4340]

Hello, this video was incredibly helpful as we've just bought the exact same jack to put on our 2018 JayFlt XLT 28BHBE. Question: what size was the lug terminal that you used to connect to your positive battery lug? I need to order one from Cdn Tire to do this install.

[@TravelingMaritimers]

Glad it was helpful. I just went and measured it. The hole is just a little under half an inch in diameter. Probably like 7/16. It was one I just happened to have in the garage. You could get away with a slightly smaller one. This one is quite a bit bigger than the terminal.

[@graylittle6470]

Thanks Gary little from Denison Texas I broke mine need to replace tail gate fell

[@TravelingMaritimers]

I've done that too. Got a nice dent in the tailgate to show for it. Glad this helped!

[@ronpearson1790]

Good video! Be mindful that when you retract the jack that you don't leave the button pressed too long once it's fully retracted. the fuse will blow. I had to replace my fuse 3 times last year!

[@TravelingMaritimers]

Thanks for the tip!

[@BlackberryHillHouse]

Very nice install video! That looks like the power jack we have. You're going to love it!

[@TravelingMaritimers]

After only 1 trip, I do love it!

[@SolomonHomestead]

Found you from KYD How to on Facebook. Welcome. Going to watch some videos and get to know you today.

[@TravelingMaritimers]

Hey, thanks for stopping by! Just had a look at your channel too, it looks great! We're hoping to learn some tips about traveling with pets. Cheers!

[@chetray5065]

Can you use hand tools or a power drill to attach the bolts if you dont have a torque wrench?

[@TravelingMaritimers]

I don't think you'd get enough torque from a power drill. As far as hand tools, I guess it depends. If you had a long handled socket driver, like a breaker bar, you should be able to get them tight enough. If you don't think you have the proper tools, I'd highly recommend taking it to an RV service location to have it installed.

[@chetray5065]

@@TravelingMaritimers understand. Thanks!

[@FranksDIY]

Nice job. Not what I wanted but you kept me interested so I watched the whole thing anyway lol.

[@TravelingMaritimers]

Lol, I appreciate that!

[@Aynalwartz]

How heavy is ur camper? Is 3500 pounds enough for most travel trailers ?

[@TravelingMaritimers]

The camper is about 5500 pounds I think. But the jack only has to lift the tongue weight, not the entire weight of the camper. Tongue weight on a travel trailer is usually in the 10% range of the total weight of the trailer. Hope this helps.

[@patlove4077]

I need to replace my lippert smart jack #,643589 Can i used a different tougue jack thats called power tongue jack also Lippert #285318 !

[@TravelingMaritimers]

@@patlove4077 Good question. I've only ever worked with this one, so I couldn't say for sure. But I would think as long as it has a weight spec appropriate for your trailer, and it has the same three bolt pattern it 'should' work. I'd recommend checking with Lippert customer support to be sure.

[@RamHemi5.7]

Loom the wire to protect it

[@vaughnerhardt1510]

Great video. Thanks.

[@TravelingMaritimers]

Thanks! Hope it helped.

[@clydefudge3345]

you should use a plastic split loom on your wire so no animals don't eat your wire.

[@TravelingMaritimers]

Good idea!

[@patlove4077]

I want to thank you, I did ck eith lippert and they said I could use a different tougue jack but I decided to buy this one,same as the old one...I was kind of leary beacause of the comments, Im a female hope I can do great job like you..thanks again! I would like to know the size of socket to buy for removing the bolts!

[@TravelingMaritimers]

That's great! I'm glad you got a jack. For mine, I used a 13mm / 0.5 inch socket. Good luck!

[@ernestcook4285]

Does it clear your tail gate when lowered?

[@TravelingMaritimers]

Not on my setup. I have to rest the tail gate on top of the jack. But it was the same with the old crank jack too. Other truck / trailer combinations will likely vary. With my old Jayco I could open the tail gate.

[@sinnano77]

How do you like the ROCKWELL lmpact driver?

[@TravelingMaritimers]

For a small, relatively cheap driver it gets the job done. I've used to to change the tires on my car and it can usually loosen the lug nuts. Sometimes it needs a helping hand from a breaker bar.

[@stanhepfer716]

How heavy is your trailer? I have a 4500lb trailer. What lb jack do you feel I would need?

[@TravelingMaritimers]

Our trailer is about 5200 lb dry weight. I would recommend you check the Lippert specs to determine what's best for your trailer.

[@evanwindom3265]

It's not the trailer weight that is the concern. It's the tongue weight. There are a number of ways to measure that. The tongue weight should be 10%-15% of your trailer's weight. So for your 4500 trailer, this jack would be more than plenty.

[@FreedomTours]

Welcome to “How To...” liked and subbed

[@TravelingMaritimers]

Thank you so much!

[@graylittle6470]

What kind of warrenty does the jack have

[@TravelingMaritimers]

Good question, I'm not sure. Probably best to check with Lippert directly.

[@emso0105]

great upgrade

[@TravelingMaritimers]

Thanks!

[@anthonyhitchings1051]

so this single-wire jack relies on accidental metal-metal contact between jack base pate and trailer frame for the other half of the electrical circuit.

[@TravelingMaritimers]

That's right. Although it's not really accidental. There are three large bolts holding the base plate to the frame. We've had it for over three years now, no issues.

[@RamHemi5.7]

Should have cleaned the rust out from under the old jack plate before putting the new one on

[@michaelinlv]

Clean and paint the rusty spots under the jack. I would also blue lock tite the bolts and also add lock nuts . Too easy to steal.

[@TravelingMaritimers]

Thanks for the tips!

[@funone8716]

I think I need that like I need an electric fork.

[@livingthedream1392]

You should use black UV resistant zip ties. Those are going to bleach out and break off

[@OurSimpleAdventures]

Thanks!

[@TravelingMaritimers]

You're welcome! Hope it was useful.

[@OurSimpleAdventures]

@@TravelingMaritimers It was thanks!

[@campkayakadventures]

Did you use your original trailer bolts or the ones that came with the tongue jack

[@TravelingMaritimers]

We used the ones that came with the jack. They were a perfect fit for the threaded holes. I kept the old bolts 'just in case' but never needed them.

[@campkayakadventures]

@@TravelingMaritimers thanks I just bought one through Amazon it will probably sit in the box till May when I bring my trailer out of storage

[@f2cmadmaxx]

X-chocks are poorly named (though great stability aids), they are not chocks and should never be used to chock the trailer.

[@TravelingMaritimers]

Agreed.

[@johnathanbeicher536]

Wow, that’s slow

[@TravelingMaritimers]

Yes, geared very low.