If you are struggling with your electrical trailer jack not working, manual trailer jack won't go up or down?, you may not want to go see an electrician if there is a simple fix available. So what could be the problem?
Here are the common issues that can cause an electric jack to not work:
- Bad switches
- Shorted wiring
- Electric motor failure
- Ground wire connections
- Inline fuses
- Clutch slipping
- Bad alignment
- Bad remote or control box
Luckily, there are just a few things you may be struggling with, so it should be easy to take care of your problem. Keep reading to understand how to solve this issue with your electric jack!
CHECK: Best Electric Jacks for Trailers
How To Solve An Electrical Trailer Jack That's Not Working
Electric trailer jacks work to make the manual labor of moving a jack much easier, according to experts - so what do you do when the jack isn't doing its job?
Dead batteries, a blown fuse, or a bad ground connection on your batteries can be among the reasons your electric tongue jack isn't working as you'd expect.
This can be because of several reasons, and it is essential that you are able to identify the main issue at hand in order to solve your problem.
If your trailer jack is bent, you can follow this video to solve the issue:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzkYrCjo5gI
When The Electric Jack Doesn't Work At All
For example, there are instances where a bad switch can be the root of the problem here. If that is the case, then you will need to change up the brake switch wire.
In some cases, the issue can be shorting in a separate wire, which affects the electric trailer jack's ability to do its job. Finally, you can even have an issue with the electric motor.
The problem here is that if there is an issue with the electric motor, you can check it through a different mechanism, unaffected by the other two issues mentioned before.
The way to do this is to use a jump wire on the electric motor to see how it works. The jump wire will connect the battery to the electric motor and check if it is the root of the problem.
This can make it easy to rule out issues in the ground wire as well. This is because the motor working means the problem lies in the ground wire itself and not the electric motor.
Finally, one of the places you should check for issues is the inline fuse. The issue can be with the connection. If there is no connection, then you may need to replace this part.
Ultimately, taking care of a problem with your electric jack isn't always as easy as it looks. It is always important to look at the issue on a case-by-case basis to understand what the problem is.
I've discovered solutions to more issues that arise when I see my electrical trailer jack not working. Take a look below:
READ MORE: How to Make Homemade Electric Gooseneck Trailer Jacks
When The Electric Jack Won't Go Downwards
When you are dealing with a jack that won't move downwards, that is a specific situation that you need to look at with the downward movement in mind. There could be a few causes for this problem.
In this case, the issue causing the jack to malfunction may be an issue with the clutch. The best way to identify this is if there is a movement, not the jack, but there is a clicking sound you can hear.
This is a sign that the clutch is slipping out of place and that it needs a replacement. You cannot repair a clutch in most cases, so it is time to look for a new one, which will hopefully solve this issue.
Depending on the types of jacks you chose, the issue could be in the drive pin. This should be at the very end of the hack. If it has moved, then the jack cannot move around as it should.
If you want to take care of this problem, the best thing to do is to make sure that the pin is in the right spot on the jack head to keep working. However, this requires an understanding of the correct alignment.
You can also check the manual for your jack to understand what the correct placement of the pin is.
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This video can help you solve the issue of your jack not retracting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTS5oezEhPk
When the Electric Jack Won't Go Upwards
The Rieco-Titan electric jack system is one of the most popular electric jack systems available for trailers and campers. According to the manual for the Rieco-Titan electric jack system, not going up can mean specific issues for the jack.
In this case, the problem you are facing is to do with either the control box or the remote. So don't try to get a replacement jack in a hurry without checking out the other causes of the issue.
However, just like before, any other issue you could be struggling with is the issue of a bad fuse or a bad fuse holder. In either case, replacing it with a standard fuse can often take care of your problem.
You can also check the electric motor in this case. If the electric motor is able to work, then you can have a short in the standard fuse on the control box or the remote.
The best way to rule out either of these issues is to send them in for testing. Once you know a fuse is an issue, you can even consider using an auto-resettable fuse in the future.
CHECK: Guide to Trailer Jack Repair
How To Fix A Trailer Jack That Doesn't Work
Depending on the power jack, as mentioned above, identifying the problem is the first step to take to fix the issue. Next, you should try and resolve the issue to take care of the problem.
One of the recommended ways to do this is to take the jack off your trailer. (2)
If the problem at hand is your control box or the remote, make sure they are tested and then repaired. On the other hand, if the issue is the motor or a fuse, they will need to be repaired as well.
However, as I said before, you cannot repair a clutch, so it is best to replace it with a new one. The best way to do so is to get the model you need and purchase it from an auto shop.
In most cases, when the trailer jack itself is not the issue, you can also use a manual hand crank to override your system and get to use your power jack again. You may find details on this in the information manual.
This will allow you to regain control over your electric jack, so you can take your trailer to your next destination with ease!
CHECK: How to Grease a Trailer Jack
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a trailer jack do?
Trailer jacks allow you to raise the trailer and stabilize it so that you can load or unload it to the tow vehicle. Trailer jacks can also be called hitch jacks or tongue jacks.
- How is a manual jack different from an electric jack?
The function of both jacks is exactly the same. However, manual jacks require a hydraulic pump to lift the trailer, while the other kind does so through electrical power.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to fixing an electric jack system, understanding the problem is key. In this post, I looked at the main issues that can occur and how you can address them all too.
With a regular check of your traveling device, you should be able to identify any issue before it becomes a major problem. I hope you know what to do if you find your electrical trailer jack not working.
References
- Yater J. Trailer Jack types, with examples . Material Handling Insider. Available from: https://materialhandlinginsider.com/trailer-jack-types-with-examples/
- How to Repair a Stuck Trailer Jack . iFixit. 2020. Available from: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Repair+a+Stuck+Trailer+Jack/132704