Troubleshooting Electric Trailer Jack Not Working With Fully Charged Battery

Question:

I want to take my 30foot travel trailer out, but the power tongue jack will not work with a charged battery. I plugged the truck into the trailer with no luck. Any ideas ? My camper is a 2016 model.

asked by: Paul E

Expert Reply:

For your electric jack, there are only three possible explanations for your jack not working with a charged battery. Either power is not getting to your motor, your motor is bad, or your ground connection isn't working properly. To test power, use a circuit tester like # PTW2993 to test your power wire before your switch, then after your switch, and then at the motor. You will also want to check for an in-line fuse that could be bad. This will tell you if you have a short in the wire, the switch is bad, or if power is getting to the motor then your wiring and switch are not the issue.

Next use a jump wire from the negative terminal of your battery to the negative side of your motor and hit the switch to see if the motor works. If the motor works with that ground wire, then your motor is good and your ground is bad. If your motor does not work, the motor will need replaced.

expert reply by: Jason S

Bill H.

8/3/2020

I have a similar issue. My electric jack does work when I put shore power to it. I know that the motor works but I'm not sure what my issue could be. I just put it a new battery and still nothing at the power jack. Could it be the fuse or maybe just bad ground?

Chris R.

8/13/2020

I would definitely check both the in-line fuse and your ground connections, as those are probably the next most likely culprits after you've verified the battery is in good shape. Make sure the ground wire is securely attached and there isn't any corrosion or debris getting in the way of a solid connection.

Anita K.

7/16/2020

Elec jack will raise but not lower in my horse trailer

Chris R.

7/21/2020

Are you able to manually lower it? I wonder if there's an issue with the switch. Can you tell me what model electric jack you have?

Tina K.

5/7/2020

i have electric jacks on my living quarters horse trailer. when i jack it up it will quit and i have to wait for a clicking noise before i start again..which only lasts about 15 seconds than the cycle starts again.. any ideas??

Chris R.

5/11/2020

Definitely make sure your battery is in good condition and FULLY charged. A weak battery, even just slightly below 12-13V output, can lead to this kind of issue. If it's good, I would also make sure the jacks are still securely grounded to clean, bare metal surfaces. If all of this checks out then it's possible the motor is starting to go bad and may need to be replaced.

10/16/2020

@ChrisR , I have a Lippert electric jack on my travel trailer. The motor is spinning when I use the switch to lower of raise, however the actual jack does not move. I have power, when I remove the cover the motor appears to be spinning, but the jack does not move ;lower nor retract). What’s going on?

Jon G.

10/19/2020

@RB Sounds like the screw or the nut on the inside is stripped. You'll need to take the jack completely a part to really get a good idea of what is going on, but regardless it sounds like you need a new jack. It it's under warranty I'd go that route, otherwise our electric jack # EJ-3520-BBX is an excellent alternative that is rated for 3.5K.